Like the Dawn (Lark #3) (15 page)

Chapter Twenty-One

             
T
hese early morning training sessions are making it hard to focus during the day. Especially since there isn't exactly a Starbucks nearby. I miss my Frappuccinos almost as much as I miss my chocolate-dipped granola bars.
              But on the bright side, I finally feel like we're doing something productive which is a nice change from the past few weeks of feeling helpless.
              The council meetings still seem pointless—which makes me enjoy the secret Fight Club meetings even more. They are starting to push more aggressively for an arranged marriage with Klaus since Magnus still hasn't made an official declaration regarding the alliance. I'm beginning to worry that maybe Klaus was overly confident in his assertion that he'd be able to persuade Magnus.
              Yesterday the only thing that was decided at the council meeting was that my birthday ball should be a masquerade.
              Thank Sól for these covert training sessions in Isobel's secret garden—they are the perfect opportunity to take out my frustrations. Though I'm worried we won't be able to keep this up much longer. Surely someone in the castle has noticed the unusually high amount of traffic coming and going from Isobel’s chambers.
              We are finally moving on to learning the basic technique of swordsmanship and even some archery.  So far, I prefer the swords.
              I know that this is going to be the most valuable thing Jacoby can teach us. The Dökkálfar can't use Air, Earth, Water, or Fire like most of the Light Elves can, so they rely heavily on their weapons. If the Ljósálfar are able to use both the elements and weapons offensively, we actually stand a chance.
              Unfortunately, even though it's unrealistic to expect us to become experts in such a short amount of time, I don't want to put this off for too much longer. The sooner we move forward with the attack, the sooner this will all be over. Which means we're going to have to come clean soon and I'm still not certain how Alberico, or the rest of the council, is going to react. Will it be considered a huge betrayal? Will I be stripped of my title of princess and be thrown into the dungeons?
              Okay, probably not anything that extreme, but I'm still nervous.
              “Your natural instinct will be to tense up during combat—don't. Trust me. You will be much quicker and more effective if your body is relaxed and you remember to breathe. You can't attack if you are passed out from oxygen deprivation.”
              “Good to know,” Lars mutters sarcastically. Sometimes I wish we were practicing with real weapons instead of these fake wooden ones Jacoby made because it would probably make me feel a heck of a lot better to inflict some pain on his obnoxious arse.
              “Obnoxious as he may be, he is on our side, Lark.”
Jacoby's voice invades my mind.
             
“Yeah, yeah.”
I answer back.
              “Excuse me.” An unexpected voice speaks from behind us. I turn around quickly, unable to believe my ears, but it's really him. Lord Hugo is back.
              “What are you doing here?” I ask Hugo incredulously.
              “I returned to offer you my services.” He bows with flourished flair before explaining further, “I couldn't get what you said out of my mind and I realized that I couldn't just sit back and do nothing.”
              “But the king—”
              “Ah, well, he is not as reasonable as myself. He and the queen did not join me this time.”
              “I understand.” I'm so stunned I can barely think straight.
              “However, it is my hope that he will come to his senses soon. I tried to explain to them both that they were foolish to believe they would be left in peace if Dugan is able to steal Álfheimr from Alberico. It would only be a matter of time before he would be ready to expand his realm. Evil is never satisfied.”
              “That's what I was saying all along.”
              “My mother agrees, but my father is a little stubborn. She was still trying to make him see reason when I left. “
              “Look, Hugo, I'm really sorry about everything that was said. I never meant to hurt your feelings or make it seem like I was using you. I hope you know that was never my intention. I just want what's best for all the kingdoms.”
              “I know that now. It's only a matter of time before my father realizes it as well.”
              “Is there something I can do? I don't know, apologize to him or something? Anything to make amends?”
              “I think it's best to leave my mother to it. I think she's the only one who can really control him.”
             
“And besides, you aren't exactly rational when you’re passionate about something—you'd probably just piss him off again,
” Jacoby says using Mind-speak.
              “So do you really think she'll be able to get him to agree to help us?” I ask Hugo, ignoring Jacoby.
              “Reluctantly, but yes. I wouldn't be surprised if he's discussing the alliance with King Alberico by the end of the week.”
              “That's amazing!” I beam. “But wait—how did you know what we were doing?”
              “Adele filled me in when I returned to the castle about an hour ago.”
              Adele looks guilty and explains, “I figured he was safe. I mean, he returned for a reason.”
              “It's okay. I'm glad you told him.”
              “I'm on your side, Princess,” Hugo says with a bow.
              “Um, thanks,” I say, still in disbelief. “But please don't call me princess again, and don't—uh—bow. It freaks me out.”
              He stands up, flashing me that winning smile of his. His attractiveness is hard to ignore even if his mannerisms are a little arrogant—of course, with a face like that I guess a little ego is warranted. And, conceited or not, he's here willing to fight beside me and that counts for something.
              “Thank you, Lord Hugo. I can't tell you how much this means to me.”
              “Hugo, please—I think it's only appropriate for us to be on a first name basis now, don't you agree?” He smiles.
              “Okay, Hugo then.” I smile. I'm grateful for his return and his pledge to aid us in the war against the Dökkálfar. “Is there anything I can do for you in return?”
              “Actually, there is,” he croons as he takes my hand in his and plants a kiss near my knuckles.
              “Oh?” I ask.
              “Yes. I was thinking a lot about you and Álfheimr and Raumelfr. I know my father isn't too keen on joining kingdoms now that he believes it's all part of a master plan to push him off the throne, but I don't think that's true. I think that you and I would be great together and that we would complement each other perfectly when it comes our time to rule. Just look how great we get along.”
              We've barely spoken before now—how does that translate to great at getting along?              “Definitely,” I say, trying to put as much sincerity into the word as I can.
              “I think after everything is said and done that you should consider the possibility of uniting our kingdoms.”
             
Oh.
I feel Jacoby tense up beside me.
              “Well, um, Hugo, that’s a really nice offer and everything, it's just that—”
              “Before you say anything, please just hear me out. My kingdom is stronger than Gautelfr, though nowhere near the standards of Álfheimr, and I think we could easily tolerate each other, don't you?”
              “Tolerate each other? How romantic.”
              “I know that we aren't in love. I am looking at this from a completely political point of view. United, our kingdoms can only be strengthened.”
              “I know that it may seem silly and naïve but if I survive this war, I don't want to marry someone purely to strengthen my kingdom by numbers. I want to marry someone for love. Someone who will strengthen
me
as a person and as a ruler. Someone who will inspire me to be better. I feel like that would be the best thing I could do for my kingdom.”
              “You would choose love over strength and convenience?” he scoffs.
              “Yes, yes I would,” I state. He seems to realize that he's not going to win this debate today, but he hardly seems discouraged.
              “I see. Well, of course this has no bearing on my promise. I will still fight alongside you but I must insist that you reconsider my offer after we defeat the Dökkálfar.”
              “I will, um, consider it,” I say, trying to be diplomatic. I mean, he kind of put me on the spot here.
              “In the meantime, I brought a surprise for you.” He turns to the side, and gestures behind him. At least forty elves have suddenly appeared at his signal. 
              “They want to learn to fight too. I was hoping to win you over with my handsome face, but I suppose if that won't work, it's a good thing I brought reinforcements.”
              “Oh!” I gasp. I'm completely overwhelmed by the fact that not only did Hugo return despite the adamant disapproval of his king, but he also brought others who were willing to help our cause. I'm so thankful that I throw my arms around the handsome elf's neck and plant a kiss on his cheek. “Thank you!”
              Jacoby clears his throat just then and I quickly withdraw my arms from Hugo, taking a step back with reddened cheeks.
              “
Thought you weren't interested?
” he mocks using Mind-speak so no one else can hear him.
              “
I'm not. Just caught up in the moment
,” I try to justify, but then I admit, “
I wasn't thinking. Hopefully he doesn't get the wrong idea.”
              “I don't like him.”
              “You just told me to give Lars a break because he's on our side, don't you think you should do the same for Hugo?”
              “Yeah, but at least I can tell from Lars' aura that he's a jerk but he's an honest jerk. Hugo has flecks of brown in his—never a good sign.”
              “I think you are being overly critical.”
              “And I think you're too charming for your own good, you know.”
              “If it was possible to mentally stick my tongue out at you I would totally be doing it right now.”
              He laughs, then spreads his arms out wide and declares to our new friends, “Welcome to Fight Club.”
              “You know that they probably have no idea what you are talking about, right?” I point out.
              “That's just what they
want
you to think.” He winks.
              “Whatever. Can we start already?” I ask impatiently.
              “Yes, Your Highness.” Jacoby mocks. “Okay, are we ready to continue?”
              The group nods.
              “So, everyone grab a sword. The next thing you need to work on is positioning the sword so you can handle it with ease.  Always keep your feet shoulder width apart and when you move, make sure your legs stay apart so you don’t trip over yourself.”
              He approaches me and with a gentle hand, straightens my posture by placing one hand on the small of my back and the other on my stomach.               “You need to keep your back straight and your chest and torso forward,” he whispers in my ear as if it’s just us in the room—like I'm the only one that matters. The stubble on his face feels rough on my cheek and it would be so easy for me to turn my face just a fraction to the left and kiss his lips. His hands linger on my body a moment too long—and all I want to do is let him hold me but I can't. We can't. We need to focus.  I let out a gush of air and it helps clear my head—even if only briefly.
              Jacoby cracks a small smile and continues on with his lesson as though nothing transpired between us.
              Which is exactly what I asked of him—to give up on the possibility of us.
              The only thing I can do in return is to continue to try to do the same.