A Throne of Ruin (Deliciously Dark Fairytales #2)(57)

“No, it shouldn’t be.”

The twinkle of humor didn’t diminish.

“So, like…I don’t get it. These movements I’m learning basically go in a straight line, but people move. What, am I supposed to hop from side to side to get lined up and then charge?”

A deliciously crooked smile worked up his face. “I don’t remember anyone in my classes having that complaint. This is why we start very young, before we know to ask logical questions.” He put out his hands, obviously thinking. “You’ll master a bunch of stances and movements that go with them, and you choose the one best suited to the moment. So, for right now, we are learning this one.”

“Fine. Don’t move so that I can stab you.”

He laughed helplessly. “That’s not how it works. The enemy will move.”

“Then I’m not going to be in a straight line,” I yelled, wanting to throw down the sword and just give up. It didn’t make any sense to me.

“Okay, let’s try it without the sword and see how you do.”

It turned out that I did very well without the sword. I’d flow through the very fancy movements, get close, and randomly launch at him and try to kill him. I got to his body every single time, and then usually found myself hugged tightly to his chest while he gave me a raspberry against my neck or something else equally childish. He was mocking me, obviously, because I didn’t know what to do with him when I got to him.

“Next time we’ll start with hand-to-hand combat, then,” Nyfain said as we finished up, grabbing a towel that Hadriel had brought out before returning to the garden. It was still his favorite activity, weeding and getting everything ready. Soon we’d be ready to plant, and I’d start working on those roses.

“We need to harvest some everlass,” I told Nyfain as we started back to the castle. “Or…I do, I guess.”

“We do. And yes, I know. Within the next few nights, I should have the time to do that.”

“Are you still keeping up with the everlass field near my house?”

“Yes. They are using it. I want to make sure they have what they need.”

I slipped my hand around his arm and walked close. He’d continued to deliver fresh kills to my family, and now he was taking the time for this, as well. We hadn’t been giving the people of my village starter elixirs because they knew how to do it on their own, but soon I’d need to make up a few batches for those who didn’t have the ability. It was their turn to be looked after.

“I was thinking I could work that field while you clear out the riffraff. The other field, too. All the fields, if you need. I can help with that to free you up.”

“You can’t sing.”

“No. But my crop at home was just as vibrant as yours, and I never sang to the plants.”

“Did you speak to them?”

“No. I muttered to myself a good bit, though.”

“That’s probably good enough. My mother always said that there was power in words. I was shy and never knew what to say to the plants. That’s why I started singing.”

“The seamster said you were better than her at growing them,” I said, glancing at him. “At making them happy. He said the plants thrived whenever you worked with them.”

“My mother always told me that. I think she just said it to make me feel good about myself. All of the women sang and spoke to the everlass. Look at you—you can do it, too.”

“Except I’m hanging on to the dream that I would’ve been good enough for you to introduce me to her one day, and if you say I’m not special, then I’ll never forgive you.”

He laughed and put his arm around me. “Sorry. Yes, we are very special, you and me. More so than anyone.”

“That’s better.”

He opened the back door for me and waited until I went through before he followed. “I wondered.” He nodded to Lena as she passed, fully dressed and prim-looking with pursed lips and a bustling walk. I would’ve never guessed that she strapped on a dildo and toured the castle at night. “In a couple days, I should be free. I wondered if you’d have dinner with me?”

“Yes. All my clothes have been finished, so I have something to wear. Wait! No. I need to visit the salon first.”

“Well, then. Maybe we’ll incorporate that into the date. We can have dinner once you’re…how you want to be.”

“How do I want to be?” We climbed the stairs. “That girl the other night was shaved completely clean. We didn’t really do much of that in my village. That I know of. Not like anyone would tell me about their pubic hair situation, but…”

“It doesn’t matter to me, Finley. You can leave it as it is if you’d like.”

“You don’t have a preference? I noticed yours are trimmed.”

“Trimmed, then, if you like.”

I shrugged. I definitely wanted less to fuss with down there. If I weren’t so vain, I’d do it to my head hair as well.

He stopped at the tower door and waited for me to get out my key.

“What will you do tonight?” he asked.

“Read, as usual. Work on the notes for your next book.”

“Hmm. Yes, please.” He wrapped his arms around me and kissed me.