Chapter 370 Training harder

Chapter 370: Chapter 370 Training harder

Talia’s POV

The days passed, and the weight of the scouts’ news settled over me like a heavy cloak.

I woke each morning with the same thought pressing against my mind, and I fell asleep each night with it still there, waiting. “Two months.” The words repeated constantly in my head. “Sixty days.”

It felt like a lifetime, and it felt like no time at all. I could feel the clock ticking in the back of my mind, counting down to something I did not want to face.

I climbed out of bed before the sun had fully risen, and I dressed in my training clothes. The fabric was worn and soft from months of use, and I pulled my hair back into a tight braid. I fastened the leather ties at the end of the braid, and I smoothed down the edges of my training tunic.

The fabric was worn soft from months of use, and I knew that I had to get a new one very soon, but now was not that time. It was not the finest clothing I owned, but it was practical, and it reminded me of who I was becoming.

I looked at myself in the mirror, and I saw the exhaustion in my own eyes. But I also saw the determination.

Kaelen was already awake, and I saw him watching me from the bed. "You are up early," he said, and his voice was rough with sleep.

I walked to him, and I pressed a kiss to his forehead. "I need to train," I said. "I need to be ready."

He reached for my hand, and I felt the warmth of his fingers against mine. "Then I will train with you." He replied, not letting me go.

We walked to the training yard together, and I felt the morning air on my face. The sun was just beginning to rise, and the mist was still clinging to the ground. The yard was empty, and I could hear the birds singing in the trees.

Kaelen picked up a sword, and he handed it to me. "Show me what you have," he said.

I took the sword, and I felt the weight of it in my hand. I lunged, and he blocked me. I swung, and he ducked easily. I attacked again, and again, and again. But each time, he met my strike with his own, and I felt the impact vibrate through my arms.

"Faster," Kaelen said, and his voice was steady. "You are hesitating."

I saw his eyes watching my movements, and reading my body like a book. He had been training with me for weeks now, and he knew every tell, and every weakness. I wanted to give up, but I knew that he was pushing me because he believed in me. He believed I could be better.

I gritted my teeth, and I attacked harder. My sword clashed against his, and I felt the burn in my muscles. I pushed forward, and he stepped back. I pushed again, and he blocked me back to back.

"Better," he said. "Again."

We trained until the sun was high in the sky.

The heat was oppressive, and I could feel the sweat dripping down my face. The training yard was bathed in golden light, and I could see the shadows shrinking beneath our feet. The day was moving forward, and so was I.

But I felt the exhaustion pulling at me. My arms were heavy, and my legs were shaking. But I did not stop. I could not stop because I knew what was coming.

"Enough," Kaelen said, and I saw the concern in his gray eyes. "You need to rest."

I shook my head. "I cannot rest. There is too much at stake."

He walked to me, and I felt his hand on my shoulder. "You will be no good to anyone if you collapse, Talia."

I looked at him, and I felt the frustration building in my chest. "I know, Kaelen. I know."

Kaelen rubbed my hair. “Let us get some rest, and eat something.”

I nodded. “Okay.”

We put back the swords, and went back into the pack house.

After a brief rest and a quick meal, I found Cain in the private training yard. He was standing in the center of the yard, with his arms crossed and his eyes watchful. He did not speak, and honestly, he almost never did. He just waited.

I walked to him, and I felt the weight of his gaze on me. "I need to train," I said. "Hand to hand."

Cain nodded once. "Then we train."

He lunged without warning, and I barely had time to block. His fist connected with my forearm, and I felt the impact shake through my bones. I stumbled back, and he followed.

"Keep your guard up, Luna," Cain said, and his voice was low. "You are leaving yourself open."

I gritted my teeth, and I attacked. I swung my fist, and he blocked. I kicked, and he sidestepped. I punched again, and he caught my wrist. He twisted, and I felt the pain shooting through my arm.

"Again," he said.

We trained until my body was screaming, and I felt the sweat dripping down my face. My knuckles were raw, and my muscles were aching. But I did not stop because of the pain I felt. I could not stop for anything at this point.

"Enough," Cain said, and I saw the approval in his eyes. "You are improving, Luna."

I saw the flicker of approval in his eyes before it disappeared behind his usual mask of indifference. It was a rare thing, that flicker, and I treasured it. He did not give compliments easily, and I knew that when he did, he meant them.

I nodded, and I felt the exhaustion pulling at me. "Thank you, Cain."

He nodded once, and he walked away.

I turned back, and walked through the pack house.

I passed by the field training grounds, where the warriors were still drilling. I passed by the kitchens, where I could smell the bread baking. Then I passed by the children playing in the courtyard, with their laughter echoing off the walls. It was the sound of life, of hope, and of everything I was fighting to protect.

And I felt the exhaustion pressing down on me. I needed to eat again, and I needed to rest. But I could not stop, because my mind kept telling me that there was still so much to do.

I found my mother in her room, and I saw her sitting by the window. The afternoon light was filtering through the glass, and I could see the tiredness in her eyes.

"Mother," I said, and my voice was soft. "I need to practice my voice magic."