127: Ada's POV

*Can the two of you knock it off?* Darius snapped in my mind, *either that, or Ada needs to fully shut Phoenix and me out. Some of us are trying to work, and that’s difficult with your little ‘will-they-won’t-they-fuck’ drama.*

It was as if Darius’s voice pulled Nik and me from whatever trance we were in. Nik released my wrists and stood up straight, the light returning to his eyes. He crossed the room, grabbing his suit jacket. As he shrugged it on, I climbed to my feet, knees shaking.

Nik nodded at the door, “You’ve earned yourself a training session. Go change.”

I didn’t argue, as I needed a way to get this energy out. Based on what the pack doctor had told me, I wasn’t in heat. Why the hell was my sex drive as high as it was? Ultimately, the reason didn’t matter. I was going to have to learn how to deal with it without trying to jump one of my mates every time they were in the room with me.

*The bond can be intense,* Phoenix offered mentally, laughing. *With time, we will all get used to it. It’s new right now— for all of us.*

*I know that,* I snapped back as I walked down the hall toward my room, with Nik on my heels. Down the bond between just Phoenix and me, I asked, *Why does it seem like Nik is somehow more resistant than the rest of us?*

Phoenix sighed, *My brother has been the pinnacle of self-control his entire life, Ada. The first time I saw him falter was with you.*

*It frightens him?* I offered.

*Immensely. Now change and get to work.* Phoenix added quickly, *Love you.*

*Love you, too,* I responded before whipping around to face Nik. He nearly ran me over. I cocked my head to the side, “I’ll be fine changing. You go change, too. I’ll wait for you here.”

A nod was all he managed. As he walked away, I entered my room. Gwynn was sitting at the little table by the door, writing in a journal. She glanced up at me. Wordlessly, she closed her book and followed me into my closet. Her eyebrows rose as I pulled my dress off, revealing that I was panty-less. I shook my head and began changing into my favorite pair of fighting leathers.

The leather was buttery and clung to my skin comfortably. It covered enough to keep me presentable, while also letting me feel feminine. It had several loops for daggers along my ribcage and each thigh. Gwynn helped me slide small blades in each of them. Along my back, she slid my curved blades in place. Since I was training with Nik, odds were it would be primarily magick training, but I couldn’t assume that. He somehow always found a way to throw me off.

I pulled on my boots last and walked back into my room. Nik was already waiting. He was in his own black fighting leathers, muscular arms bared and jaw set. His arms were crossed over his chest.

Without a word, he walked over to the balcony and flung the door open. I followed him, stepping out onto the terrace with him. Gwynn quietly excused herself from my quarters, leaving us alone.

Nik pointed at the stone ledge, “Today’s lesson is in practicality. We’re going to practice escape routes and evasive maneuvers in the event the castle is infiltrated,” he pulled out a notebook from a pocket on his thigh, “I’m also giving you these to study and practice.”

I flipped through the book, looking at dozens of runes. I tossed the book onto a table just inside my room, “Okay. What are we starting with?”

“Your primary exit is this balcony. Now, the way you *were* doing this to go see Adrian is too risky,” he pointed at the ivy, “It isn’t strong enough to guarantee to hold your weight. Look and find an alternative option.”

I stared at him for almost a full minute, blinking. Was he crazy? I’d only used the ivy because there was no other option. The drop from the balcony was too big, too steep, and overlooked too much concrete for a direct jump. I walked over to the edge, looking down at the pathway. We were nearly fifty feet up, directly over a stone path. My initial assessment was still accurate in the light of day.

Just as I turned to say so to Nik, his hands connected with my chest. I toppled backward, over the side of the balcony. A scream erupted in my chest, echoing through the empty gardens. I saw some guards turn to look as I toppled end-over-end. Some even started to move but glanced up and froze. It was all happening so quickly. I was hurtling toward the ground and going to die. Why had Nik done this? He was my mate and should have loved me—

*I do love you, now shut up and think!* Nik’s voice cut into my mind.

I knew only seconds had passed since I fell over the edge, but it felt like minutes. How the hell could I get out of this with so little time to spare? There was nothing to catch myself on, and nothing I could do to stop—

My eyes widened. I reached up, trying not to overthink, and shadows unfurled from my hands. They shot up like ropes, wrapping around the top edge of the balcony. Moments before I was going to crash into the ground, the ropes went taut. I was swung out, my body straightening out. I forced extra tension into the shadow-ropes, slowing my momentum. I released my shadows, dropping to the ground and rolling out.

I spun around, facing the castle. My eyes locked on Nik’s on the balcony. He was grinning from ear to ear. I growled and leapt up, creating steps out of ice and shadows. Within seconds, I was jumping over the edge of the balcony and throwing my fist at him. It caught his chin as his eyes widened and he stumbled back.

He rubbed his jaw, “Okay, those steps were way cooler than the ropes.”

“What the fuck was that, Nik?” I yelled, smacking at his arms, “You threw me over a balcony.”

“And you figured it out,” he shrugged, “I would have caught you myself if you hadn’t.”

“What the fuck is wrong with you?”

“More than I care to talk about,” Nik tossed out with a grin, “Now, can we move on to the next part of the lesson?”

“Is this the one where you wait until my back is turned to take a swing at my neck because ‘Oh, you’ll sense the danger?’” I shoved him over more time.

“No,” he rolled his eyes and started into my room, “It’s the one where I show you the escape route that’s the absolute last resort.”

Rage still coursed through my veins as I followed him, “Is that the one where I hide behind the curtains and wait for you to come save me?”

“No,” he rolled his eyes again, “It’s the one where you go into the tunnels.”