“Jireo’s teaching me on the sly.”
“You’re kidding me. How did you convince him to do that? And how on earth are you keeping that from Kaevin?”
“It wasn’t hard to convince Jireo that anything I learned about weapons and fighting would make me more of an asset... or maybe less of a detriment. I cheated a little, since I kind of baited his defender bond with Kaevin.”
“You mean, since he’s compelled to defend Kaevin, he’s sort of forced to agree with anything that would make him safer?”
“It seems to work that way.” Alora glanced outside to be sure all the guys were in sight. Markaeus was taking aim at the target with Jireo standing behind him, guiding his hands to draw back the bow. I guess he’s finally forgiven Jireo for choking his grandfather into passing out. She flashed a rueful grin Beth’s direction. “I just pointed out how dangerous it was for Kaevin that I didn’t know how to fight. That seemed to convince Jireo to train me, even if he had to go behind his best friend’s back to do it.”
“But how did you get away with it? Kaevin’s with you practically all the time, right?”
“Yes! Good gracious, he’s like a shadow. I’m surprised he’s out there right now. Ordinarily he wouldn’t think it was safe for me to sit on the couch by myself. The only time he leaves me alone is at night. So Jireo and I have been sneaking off to the stables to practice after he goes to bed.”
“And is fighting the only thing you and Jireo are practicing at night?” Beth gave an exaggerated wink. “After all, he’s pretty hot.”
“Ewww! He’s like my brother!”
Beth laughed. “I’m just kidding. I know you wouldn’t cheat on Kaevin, but that doesn’t mean he won’t be mad as a hornet when he finds out what you’re doing behind his back.”
“I’m hoping he’ll be happy when he sees how much I’ve learned. Jireo taught me how to hold a knife, and we’ve been practicing some self-defense. We also practiced a move where someone is attacking him and I transport him at the last second. That one already came in handy.”
“Wow... you must have spent a lot of time together. I really do think Kaevin’s going to be ticked off though,” Beth warned.
“Sounds to me like you might be jealous of Jireo,” said Alora, only half-teasing.
“About that... I like Jireo a lot—as a friend—but lately I’ve kind of started to like Daegreth.” Two rosy patches bloomed on Beth’s cheeks.
“Daegreth?” Alora looked back through the window. Daegreth stood slightly apart from the other guys, as if he was afraid to intrude. Though he hadn’t been responsible for his actions while under Vindrake’s bloodbond control in Tenavae, he still acted awkward and guilty.
Like all men in Kaevin’s country, Daegreth wore his brown hair long, down to his shoulders. But those shoulders looked like a bodybuilder’s, making Kaevin’s and Jireo’s impressive muscles look minuscule in comparison. In truth, all the guys had impressive muscles, even Wesley, who’d taken up weight-lifting as a hobby with Daegreth.
Alora had seen Daegreth’s gift of strength at work when the bloodbond had taken over and commanded Daegreth’s body to attack, flinging full grown men about as if they weighed nothing. Full of remorse in the aftermath, his brown eyes—indicating his rare Sun Clan heritage—were tortured with self-condemnation and remorse. And yet, without Vindrake’s control, he was one of the most sweet and gentle guys Alora had ever met.
“Why didn’t you tell me about Daegreth before now?” Alora asked, ashamed she’d spent so little time with her best friend lately. I should have known she liked Daegreth. I bet they look cute together, with Daegreth being so big and tall, and Beth being so petite. Come to think of it, I don’t think I’ve ever even seen them standing next to each other.
“Actually, I don’t want anyone to know... especially Wesley.”
“So no one knows?” No wonder. I bet her mom wouldn’t be in favor. He’s not only dangerous, but also about four years older.
Beth’s shoulders rose and fell as if she couldn’t explain, but Alora could feel her impatience. “It just feels awkward, with the whole weird genetic relation thing. I mean, Wesley’s family is still trying to adjust, and Daegreth is always worried his bloodbond will somehow come back. Even though we all told him it’s impossible for Vindrake to come back here, now that Markaeus sealed the only portal between the two realms.”
“Uhmm... about that portal thing...” Schooling her nerves, Alora turned to face Beth. “Doc didn’t tell you guys what happened yesterday morning, did he?”
“No. What happened?”
“Somehow or another, a brand new portal appeared. This one goes from Markaeus’ bedroom to his grandfather’s hut in Portshire.”
“Portshire?” The blood seemed to drain from Beth’s face. “Isn’t that where Vindrake lives?”
“Yes, but don’t worry. Markaeus sealed it before I transported all of us back here.”
“I don’t understand. How could there be a new portal? Has Vindrake figured out a way to make portals?”
“No one has any idea how a brand new portal just showed up overnight, so we’re supposed to have a big meeting with the whole council to figure out what to do about it.”
“Daegreth’ll be so upset. He’ll probably want to chain himself back up again.”
“That’s kind of what everyone thought he should do.” Alora couldn’t look her friend in the eye. “It might be for the best, until we get this figured out.”