Elara's POV
Classes with Aurora had been nothing short of hell,maybe I was not the best at archery but this doesn't excuse the torture she had been subjecting me to.
I gave thanks to the heavens when it was announced she wouldn't be available for two weeks so we had other classes as usual
Most of them revolved around reading maps and deciphering symbols and other cartographic elements things I didn't remotely care for but had to know nonetheless
I also hadn't seen my siblings and Rhysand not like I cared about the latter but I asked Vaelen why that was and the only thing he said was 'They would be back'
The week rolled by really fast and more people died this week than any other week since I had been in the Academy
Training this week was morbid as I saw people being slaughtered like animals.It was a horrible sight and it made me sick as I saw lifeless bodies being dragged out of the training hall with the light in their eyes slowly fading away
This time I was to be up against the sister of the last guy and I took his suggestion.I gave her a different herb which got triggered as we were mid way through our fight and she ran out thereby earning me an automatic win
She ran out with liquids coming out from both holes.Another day to escape death
I lay in bed recollecting the events of the week,my mind a whirl of thoughts.Elaine and Kyra had been hounding me with constant talks about Bran and Alden and I had been feeling a tad overwhelmed because they constantly bring them up and to make matters worse these are the guys they hadn't so much as smiled at
Talks has been going around and so many speculations had come up but the one thing they all have in common is that they'll be back in two weeks
The weekend was tomorrow and Kyra and I had a training duel of some sort,one I wasn't planning on losing
*************
"Somebody's up early"Elaine said as she stretched out on the mat.The air inside the training hall carried the metallic tang of effort as blades met and footsteps echoed. Elaine laid out stretching on a mat at the center of the hall
"Why would you pick this spot"I asked and I placed my knapsack at the edge of the mat deciding to mirror Elaine as she did her stretches and she gave a small shrug
"Where is Kyra"I ask as my eyes caught her bag behind Elaine who said she went for a run and I just nodded.Soon after she came in panting and layed down immediately.This here was why I hated running, it felt like a punishment
"How long should I give you to pick yourself up"I asked.She turned her head to me and smiled "About 10 minutes"
The ten minutes were up and we were staring at each other
"First to draw blood wins"Elaine said as she stood up and stretched before moving a bit farther from us
We both nodded and the fight began
With a swift kick Kyra aimed for my midsection but I sidestepped, countering with a spin that brought her leg around for a retaliatory strike
Kyra's blade remained sheathed a testament that this would be a Hand to hand combat for a good while.The room echoed with the thud of kicks and the occasional grapple
Amidst the intensity, my voice cut through the air, "Have you decided how you would approach him after you lose Kyra"
She let out a chuckle before replying "Have you stopped lying to yourself about how you feel smart mouth"
I kept my face blank trying not to show any emotion whatsoever .We had some sort of agreement-the two of us,we would fight against each other and if I won against my fight with Kyra she would have to tell Alden how she feels when he got back and the better part of the deal was as they were away the loser doesn't have the right to talk
I really needed this win,I was tired of my ears getting full with things I didn't care for
Don't get me wrong it's cute but when it's consistent,it's just noise
Suddenly, Kyra's hand darted towards her dagger which gleamed as it left its sheath and I immediately unsheathed mine
Our blades locked, a momentary pause in the fight as we stared each other down. "First to draw blood," I declared with a determined glint in my eyes.
The dance continued, blades flashing in the light. In a swift maneuver, i made my move, a small cut appearing on Kyra's upper arm. She winced and stopped as the droplet of blood ran down her arm
I said softly with a smile "Victory!!."
The tension dissipated as we sheathed our daggers "So you didn't answer my question"she gave me a puzzled look
"Have you decided how you would approach him"I repeated my words from earlier and she gave me a vulgar gesture
**********
Kyra spent the rest of the weekend going over what she would tell him,it was Hilarious
She has been pacing back and forth in my room going over different conversations
Hi my name is Kiralina but my friends call me Kyra and I wanted to ask if we could be friends.No that sounds stupid he doesn't need to know what my friends call me
Alright take a deep breath.What's the best way to start?Maybe a casual remark about the class?But we don't have the same classes,also stupid
"Hey I noticed you're really good at...."No that sounds forced
She let out a loud groan "Elara please help me out"
"You're asking the wrong person,I have only been with one person and he did all the work"I said as I sat at the edge of the bed
Elaine laid on one side of the bed snoring lightly,thankfully Kyra's back and forth didn't wake her
"And to be honest,you're not going to remember all this,just be you" I said standing up and giving her a light pat on the shoulder
"What if he doesn't like me for me"she ask her voice quivering
"Oh that's easy"I said and she raised a brow in response "We could just kill him and cover up the evidence"
And for the first time in hours she let out a laugh and I couldn't help but smile
**********
The week started again with endless classes and for the first time since I was five I didn't have a night Terror all week.It felt good,really good.I was tempted to tell my sibling about it when they got back but I knew in my guts that if I did it would jinx it so I kept my mouth shut
The end of the day was coming and I couldn't wait to slump on my bed and sleep that was before I heard loud groans,groans that I knew all too well
I ran in that direction but I couldn't get a good view,most student also wanted to know what was going on and soon enough the scene came into view
Being carried into the infirmary by Rhysand was my brother and the blood drained from my face.I tried my best to make it through the crowd but they wouldn't budge
I saw Vaelen running in that direction and called out to him "Vaelen,what happened" but I didn't get a response as he ordered for the group to make way for me which they did immediately
He placed a hand on my shoulder as we made our way into the infirmary,I ran towards Elrik's side and held his hand in mine.His hands are getting cold,why are his hands cold
The healer came and asked us to give him some space,he looked at Elric and gave him some herbs before he placed raised his shirt to reveal an open wound
Then Rhys spoke "We tried to treat him the best we could but when we noticed he wasn't closing up,I brought him here right away"
"When did this occur"the healer asked looking at the blood vessels in his eyes
"Two days ago"Rhys replied and the healer nodded before speaking "Whatever he was stabbed with was poisoned,I have no idea where such poison was gotten as the whereabouts is unknown for over a hundred years"
"But he'll be fine,don't worry about his hands being cold young Draconis"she said looking over at me before she walked away
Vaelen has been pacing around in the room,he seemed to want to get something off his chest "You did this" pointing at Rhysand who ignored him blatantly
I looked over at Rhys who gave him an expressionless look
Then Elissa came running in,she looked like she had been crying "What happened"
Vaelen explained everything from how he saw him being carried from afar to what the healer said.She sat at the edge of the bed and held his hands wiping away her tears.He was asleep now so it must be a good thing
Then immediately she turned,I could see the rage in her eyes "It was you who did this"she said pointing at Rhys "You hated our father so much you decided it's best to kill his son,Who is next me?Elara?"she said looking at me but I kept my eyes on him the whole time and when she called my name a flash of something crossed his eyes,something I couldn't decipher
I waited for him to tell us what happened,I waited for him to say something,anything but he just stood there with that same blank expression "I'm sorry" was all he said before walking out
And there it was,all the feelings that I thought were creeping out for him-vanished and all that was left was pure unadulterated hate.