Page 88 of Journey to the Elderoak
She bit her lip, meeting his gaze as he pulled back. “Okay.” She cleared her throat. “Let’s train.”
She climbed over the wall and stood in the center of the ring.
He chose two training daggers from the weapons rack, turned around and handed her one.
“You need to work on your grip again,” he said.
He walked closer and wrapped his hand around hers, reviewing the hold and adjusting her fingers around the handle.
“Good,” he said. “Now we’re going over the basic moves.”
“I know these.”
“But you aren’t very good at them.”
He backed away, gripped his own dagger and swiped the air. She copied, but it still felt clumsy and foreign in her hand.
“Again,” he said.
He strode around behind her. “Your stance is off.” He placed his hands on her hips and turned them. “Lean forward a little, but make sure your weight is in your heels.”
Her stomach fluttered at his touch.
“Better,” he said as he walked away and came around to face her. “Now try that move again.”
She did and it felt different this time. Easier.
They practiced for a while before Casimir changed tactics and asked her to get out of different holds. “If someone sneaks up on you like this.” He was behind her, chest pressed against her and a dagger at her throat. “Remind me what you’re supposed to do.”
A flash of Corvus in the same position went through her mind but she pushed through it and turned her attention to the warrior behind her, focusing on his hard body, warm against her back.
“Ava.” A shiver ran down her spine at the way he said her name. “Whatever you’re thinking right now is very distracting.”
“Well, you should put your shirt back on.That’sdistracting.”
Using this distraction to her advantage, she stomped on his foot with all her strength, causing him to release her.
“Shit,” he said as he grabbed his foot.
She whirled around while he was off balance and shoved him to the ground. Gripping her dagger, she straddled him, wrapping her legs around his as she held her weapon at his throat.
His eyes went feral as he took her in. “That’s what I would do,” she said, breathing heavily.
“Nice try.”
He flipped her onto her back, pinning her arms above her. His eyes dipped to her mouth and he leaned in, running his nose along the side of her throat.
“Oh, fuck,” Ava gasped.
His lips met hers in a hungry kiss. She moaned, arching into him.
“I thought you two were supposed to be practicing,” Quinn’s voice sounded from the sidelines.
Casimir backed off, mumbling, “Every fucking time.”
“Wewerepracticing,” Ava said, breathless as they both rose from the ground.
Quinn crossed her arms. “Mmm hmm. Anyway, I came to check in and see how you were feeling about tomorrow.”
