The Mad Queen

Chapter Eighty-Two: Three Years Ago

To love a man is to be weak. It is a betrayal of womankind. To belittle and lower yourself to have feelings for such an inferior creature is an abomination. Do not allow your self to be seduced by romantic words. For you will only be used and hurt. Women are too quick to give everything. It is both a quality and a weakness. Be strong, sisters. Do not allow yourself to be seduced for it will be your downfall.

~Daughters of the Tainted Holy Script.

Three Years Ago:

I wake up early despite the late my night, the smile still on my face as I remember being in Kai's embrace. Quickly, I get up and change into my training uniform. Excited as today is the day the Lupine are going to train us. Fallon is already out on the training field when I arrive, an excited smile on her face.

"Good morning," she says to me as I approach. 

"Morning," I reply and then watch as Shae, Rayana and Cordelia appear. All of them look slightly nervous. I walk over to them and wrap my arm over Rayana and Shaelyn's shoulders, kissing them both on the side of the head.

"Isn't this going to be exciting?" I ask. Rayana groans and pushes herself out of my grip.

"No, I'm terrified," she exclaims.

"Don't be scared Ray," Fallon says coming over, "they are only the most terrifying brutal race of warriors in Vivelle," she continues with a casual shrug. I roll my eyes and Shaelyn pales.

"Fallon," I say, shaking my head.

"Yeah, don't be mean," Cordelia continues, shaking her head. We all stop chatting as Sir Jago comes down into the training ground with our Red Guard friends.

"Are you lot training too?" I ask them.

"Yeah," Merissa sighs.

"I am so ready for this," Fallon grins. Sir Jago laughs.

"Of course you are," he says, shaking his head. We all go quiet as the Lupine walk out. My eyes fall on Kai and he smiles at me. It has my heart fluttering and his eyes are bright with mischief.

"Princesses," he begins and then looks at the Red Guard, "and friends..." he continues, smiling widely. "I hope you are all ready to get an idea of what Lupine training is like," he beams and the rest of the Lupine laugh. Shae and Rayana pale and I cross my arms, smiling. Ready for whatever challenge they throw me. 

We spend the first two hours just exercising. Switching between running or various movements with weights. By the end of it, I am sweating and I know my face is flushed. The others look similar but Fallon can't keep the grin from her face. It is after that when the fight training begins. We all watch in awe as the Lupine show us new and unique moves and skills. I practice against Cordelia, repeating what Aaliyah and Kai had just shown us. I "accidently" mess it up. Kai laughs and walks over to me.

"Princess, that is not quite right," he says to me..

"You'll have to show me again then," I say, keeping my voice professional. He laughs and holds out his hand. I take it and he pulls me up off the ground with ease. He puts his hands on my waist and moves me into the right position. I almost shiver, feeling his hot breath against my neck. He then steps in front of me and lifts my arms, moving them in the way I need to move them. His eyes on mine the whole time.

"Understand?" he asks. I nod my head.

"Yes," I reply, "I think so," I continue with a smile, spinning the practice daggers around in my hands.

"Would you like to try?" he asks.

"Against you?" He smiles and nods his head. 

"Okay," I smile and attack. After a few seconds, I have Kai pinned beneath me, the training daggers at his throat. "Is that how you do it?" I ask innocently. He laughs and I stand up, holding out my hand.