Warrior (Relentless #4)(197)

Sara had told me more than once she was afraid of her Fae power hurting her demon. I’d been afraid of that too, especially after her liannan. If her power couldn’t harm her Mori while they were joined, there was nothing to stop them from coming together permanently.

Desmund looked pleased with himself. “Whatever the reason, I was correct in my assumption. You think too much about merging with your Mori, instead of just letting it happen naturally. I thought that giving you something else to focus on would make you forget about the joining.”

I had to hand it to him, he’d called this one right. If there was one thing that would make her forget her discomfort, it was seeing someone she cared about in pain. Though I wouldn’t gloat too much if I were him. She’d already tossed him once, and her stiff stance told me she’d do it again with little provocation.

“You couldn’t have explained it to me instead?” she bit out.

He shrugged. “We thought this would be more effective.”

She pulled out of my embrace and gave me a look of betrayal. “I can’t believe you went along with this.”

I could have told her the truth, that I’d had no idea what they were planning. But she’d made great progress today because of them, and it was apparent she needed their guidance. Making her angrier at the two of them would not help with her training.

“I didn’t agree at first, but Desmund made me see that you needed incentive.”

She rubbed her arms. “Hurting you is not incentive. It’s cruel.”

I moved to take her in my arms again, but she backed away.

“You know Eldeorin would not really harm me,” I told her, not quite sure I spoke the truth.

“I’m sorry you are upset, little one, but I think you will see this was all for the best,” Desmund said. “We’ve made significant progress in your training today.”

Eldeorin scoffed loudly. “It is no wonder she cannot join properly with her demon, the way you coddle her.”

He walked toward her. “Everything we do is to help keep you alive, Cousin. I won’t apologize for that, just as I did not apologize for our training.”

“Apologize for what?” I asked them. Sara never said much about her sessions with Eldeorin, and his comment made me wonder if there was a reason why.

“Nothing,” she said shortly.

“Sara did not care for my training techniques either at first,” he told me. I waited for him to elaborate, but he left it at that.

I looked at Sara, who was still upset and taking breaths to calm herself. I didn’t like knowing I’d been part of making her this way, even though the exercise had benefited her. Sometimes, it was difficult to separate my trainer side from my mate side. Desmund knew that, which was most likely why he hadn’t told me what he was planning to do.

“I think that’s enough for today,” I said. “We’ll continue this tomorrow.”

Sara practically ran from the room. I wanted to go after her, but I doubted she would want my company.

“That went better than I’d hoped,” Desmund said.

I let out a short laugh as I went to put away the weights Sara had been using. “You should count yourself lucky she likes you. I’m surprised she didn’t send you through the wall.”

After I’d stacked the weights, I looked at Eldeorin. “Why would you need to apologize for your training? What’s that about?”

He shrugged. “Sara didn’t have faith in her abilities, and she needed to be pushed beyond what she thought she was capable of. Once she started to believe in herself though…” He smiled proudly. “I believe she is the finest protégé I’ve ever had. Our time together has become the highlight of my week.”

I ignored his last comment because he’d only made it to annoy me. “Did you know she’d be able to use her power while joined with her Mori?”

“No, that was a shock to me as well. But then, my little cousin never fails to surprise me.”

“At least we have that in common.”

He straightened his clothes, which had been ruffled when Sara threw him. “I know you think she is not ready to be a warrior, and by Mohiri standards, you are right. But Sara is also Fae, and she has powers and abilities you’ll never be able to comprehend. Don’t underestimate her, warrior.”

I frowned. “What do you –?”

He vanished before I could finish my question. It was another annoying habit of his.

I looked at Desmund. “What was that about?”

“I couldn’t say.”

Something told me he knew more than he was letting on, but pushing him would be as fruitful as banging my head against the wall. Desmund gave a whole new meaning to the word obstinate.

“Are you two planning to train her together again?”

“Yes.”

I remembered the fury on Sara’s face right before she’d sent him flying. “Good luck. If you’re going to piss her off like that again, you might want to have a peace offering ready.”

He gave me a puzzled look. “What kind of peace offering?”

I set down the last weight and headed for the door. “The kind I’m going to get for her now.”

“What’s that?” he called after me.

I didn’t answer. He’d have to figure this one out on his own, while I went to a certain Italian place and got the biggest piece of tiramisu they had.