Chapter 50

Erik and I wandered out to the front yard. The grass was starting to turn green and there were buds on the trees. Spring was coming.

Erik set down our water bottles and faced me. I braced for the words that I'd been dreading since he announced that we were training this morning. We were doing magic.

Frode had limited training for a few days after the lake disaster allowing us to heal, as well as telling Erik off. They'd fought, and Erik stood by his decision. After the initial shock of the experience and several not so gentle reminders that if it had been Rune or Sten they wouldn't have been so angry, we were back to a normal training schedule.

"We'll do hand to hand today." He grinned.

It took me a moment to comprehend what he had just said. Hand to hand. Fighting. Not magic.

"Not magic?" I winced at bringing it up.

"I think we need a break from it, and we haven't done much sparing lately. We don't want to lose those skills." Erik shrugged.

"Are you and I are going to spar?" I asked, trying to hide my disbelief.

"Yep." He walked a few paces from me and faced me again.

Erik ran drills and taught me form, but always had Sten or Rune spar with me. Erik would watch and yell out mistakes and weaknesses. Excitement filled me, and when I met Erik's gaze there was a huge smile on his face. He knew what his decision meant to me.

"What are you waiting for, kitten?" He asked, already in his defensive stance.

I kept my chin low and brought my hands up. Looking over at him, I tried to pick the best place to hit. Of course, this man had no weak spots. Deciding to just give it a shot I threw a half-hearted punch, which he blocked easily with his forearm.

His scowl told me he wasn't impressed.

I pulled back and scanned him again for an opening-again not finding one. I decided to take the matter into my own hand and create one. Shifting like I was going to throw another punch, I watched as he moved to block the hit he thought was coming.

Once he was committed to his block I quickly shifted and swept my leg out. The move took his legs out from under him, bringing him to his with a grunt. Surprise flashed over his face, followed by pride.

"Good." He nodded and climbed back to his feet.

I smiled, and resumed my ready position, waiting for him to do the same. I was getting ready for my next move when his words made me hesitate.

"You want to talk to Alek." He tossed out like he was talking about the weather.

I stumbled but caught myself as I pulled my punch back.

"Never pull a punch. Once you've committed, send it." He scolded and swept my legs out from under me.

I landed with a thud on my back. Starring at the sky I took a deep breath before pulling myself back to my feet. I glared at him.

"You distracted me." I hissed, anger rising.

"Again." He commanded.

We both resumed our stances, then I lunged forward, throwing a punch to his abdomen. He grunted, but anger clouded his eyes.

"Your form is off. Don't use your arm, use your core. Punch like I taught you to." He scolded, pulling himself to his full height.

Anger turned to rage in my veins. My body hummed as it pumped through me.

"I'm punching like you taught me." I spat at him.

"I didn't teach you to throw weak punches, and you know it." He stepped closer to me, preparing to swing.

I anticipated his blow and blocked it, and used his momentum to reverse our positions and force him to his knees.

"Better?" I demanded.

"Much." He grinned.

I let him up and returned to our ready stances. He didn't wait for me to be fully ready and was lunging at me. I dodged his attack and moved to the side.

"That's dirty." I frowned.

"Do you think a true opponent will fight fairly?" He asked.

I nodded my understanding. We weren't just training, we preparing the battle to come. This wasn't about learning skills, it was about learning to control the fight. About using that control to stay calm and stay ahead of the enemy. The time was coming that we wouldn't just be sparring, but fighting to stay alive.

We continued to spar until we were exhausted, and Frode came out. He took in our sweaty and breathless appearance and grinned.

"Can I join?" He asked as he pulled his shirt over his head.

"The alpha is asking." Erik's eyebrows raised as he looked at me.

Frode snorted but came over. We continued to spar, Erik and I ganging up on Frode, but then something changed. With a nod, I was facing both the brothers. I was now the target to both of them.

"Guys," I warned.

This wouldn't be good. I was exhausted and didn't stand a chance against them.

"Hope you were paying attention to me little one. It's time to see if you were." Frode grinned as he took a step toward me.

I hadn't been paying attention. I'd been focused on my own actions and Erik's. I took a step back.

Fear coursed through me, and I felt my magic burn in my veins. I wasn't afraid they'd hurt me, I knew they wouldn't do any serious damage. Failing, I was afraid of failing again.

The years of fighting together shined as they moved in sync with each other and silently communicated with glances and minute gestures that I couldn't follow. Then they were just communicated, they'd made a plan. They lunged and I braced for impact.

The impact never came.

I opened my eyes which I had closed as I braced for their hit. Both men were frozen in place with proud grins on their faces. A glowing, golden connection between me and each of them. I'd stopped them with my magic.

It wasn't anger that fueled my impulsive magic-but fear. Anger was what I felt at the lake, not fear. I had been frustrated that I couldn't control my magic, to the point that I didn't care if failed then. Now I was terrified of letting my mates down again.

I focused and moved the two of them back away from me and broke my connection with them. They rushed me and Erik picked me up spinning me around. He crushed my lips with a kiss and set me down on my feet.

"You did it, little one. Anger wasn't the emotion that pushed you was it?" Frode questioned as he pulled me into his chest.

"No, fear. I was afraid I'd let you down again." I mumbled against his skin.

"You don't let us down, little one." Frode's arms tightened around me.

"We're always proud of you. You're learning to control something we've never seen before. There are no expectations, no guides." Erik stepped up behind me.

We stood together for a moment enjoying the moment of peace and sanctuary that we found in each other.

"You were right, Erik. I want to talk with Alek. Not right now, but soon. I want to hear his side of what his parents told him. I'm not saying I'll trust it all or believe everything, but I wanted all the information we can get. We can sort through it all later to see what's true or not." I looked up at Frode's face.

He clenched his jaw but nodded.

"I want you to have all the information you can. But I won't lie. I don't like going back there to speak with him, but we'll figure something out. He's not the friend I thought he was, but that won't stop you from getting your questions answered." He met my gaze.

I could see his conflict, and it hurt, but I was glad to see that he was understanding. Slowly we were figuring out the relationship between us, and the compromise it took to be successful. I also knew that the four of them wouldn't let anything happen to me, which gave me the courage to approach Alek again.