Chapter Seven

*I apologize for the delay, loves! My phone is still broke, but we finally got the computer set up so i should be able to update regularly again!*

Several hours later, the group had trekked a good distance away. The forest terrain was beginning to give way to mountains and rock. Arandir called for the group to stop, ready to prepare camp. It took them about an hour to set up a makeshift tent and get a fire going for food and warmth. Arandir pulled Wynne off to the side.

"Are you ready to begin your first day of training?" He asked enthusiastically, a grin gleaming on his face, as he held out a dagger to her. Wynne could tell he was excited, but she hoped his enthusiasm didnt get her hurt. After all, potentially fae or not, she could barely use her hands, even on the good days. Hesitantly, she took the dagger from him.

"Where do we even start?" She asked, gripping the hilt of the weapon as tight as she could. Arandir came around her, putting his hands on her shoulders. The action made her jump, and sent static zinging through her body.

"Calm, little one. We start simple today. First your form, and then trying to get you comfortable holding a weapon. Dont think I've not noticed how hard it is for you with those scars." He whispered, his lips dangerously close to her ear. Slowly, his hands dropped from her shoulders, moving to her hips. " Spread your feet apart, just a little bit more than shoulder-width. Put your front foot at an angle, approximately 45 degres. You want to aline your other foot and your knees as well." Arandir helped Wynne shift, ensuring that her body was positioned correctly for a fight. Afterwards, he pulled the dagger out of her hand and had her open her palm. Once she did as instructed, he placed it into her hand, curling her fingers around the hilt. Wynne let out a soft hiss, the movement bringing her a small bit of pain, but she grit her teeth through it.

After a few hours of the pair working on Wynne's stance, Dehliah flittered to them, reminding the duo they needed to eat. Wynne was exhausted, and her body was sore purely from trying to go through all the forms Arandir pushed her into correctly. Dehliah perched on Wynne's shoulder as they gathered around the fire. Arandir began pulling travel rations from thier packs, throwing chicken onto the fire to heat. Within minutes, he was removing it, giving each of them a good portion of meat and some dried fruits.

"We must rest soon, we have a long day of travel ahead of us. The next time we stop to make camp, we'll be deep within the mountains, and we'll have to be careful. Dangerous creatures lurk up there. With luck, we'll be able to avoid them." Arandir stated calmly. "For now, let us focus on sleeping arrangements."

Dehliah opted to sleep under the stars, resting on top of the travel packs. Wynne stared at the lone tent that they had been able to set up. She was conflicted on who would be sleeping inside. "Arandir...who's supposed to sleep in there?" She asked skittishly. He chuckled at her, wrapping an arm loosely around her waist. "Come, little one. We'll share. I promise i'll be a gentleman." He stated, as he pulled Wynne into the tent with him.

Arandir POV

Her innocence was alluring. The hours he had spent trying to teach her form had him steeling his thoughts, trying to tamp down the erection that threatened to pitch a tent in his pants. When Arandir had ushered them into the tent, he wrapped Wynne's delicate body in woolen blankets, bundling him up next to her. There were furs covering the ground, providing a makeshift bed for the two. Arandir gently laid Wynne down, nestling himself next to her.

"It gets cold in the mountains at night, it's best to keep warm with another," He says softly, before flinging an arm over her gently. Being this close to her made his heart race. Sparks electrifying his senses. He was drowning in her smell, clouding his mind. To him, she smelled of honeysuckles and vanilla, and faint traces of woodsmoke. It was delicious. Mouthwatering. With a faint growl, he shifted, pressing his nose into her hair. Thankfully, it seemed she had already passed out. The long day of travel, and thier training session, had exhausted her. The effect that Wynne had on him made Arandir sure that is was true.

They were fated mates. Arandir made up his mind. He would tell her in the morning. With that, he wrapped himself protectively around the woman, and drifted off to sleep.