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Ken lowers his voice conspiratorially. “Over a hundred years young, little human.”
My eyes practically bulge out of my head, and his shoulders shake with laughter. I would’ve guessed thirties, if we were talking human years.
“And you’re fine serving someone only a fraction of your age?”
“Why wouldn’t I be? I’ve served the Umbra Court since I was a cub. We don’t place as much importance on age as you humans do.”
“You served Rainer’s family? Where are they?” Still around, I’d assume, based on their long lives.
Ken shakes his head, his face morphing to worry as he glances in Rainer’s direction. “They—they’re gone.”
I want to press for an answer, but Rainer’s eyes swing in my direction briefly. I swallow down the question, wanting to ask the prince himself about his family.
A good chunk of time passes and I’m certain the battle between Rainer and Viv will go on forever, with neither one conceding. Their energy seems endless.
“What of your family?” I ask, picking the conversation back up.
Ken’s smile returns. “I have a big ol’ family. They live all around Avylon. Much of them live on the other side of the Cursed Wood.”
“Cursed Wood—that’s what the forest is called?”
Fitting.
Ken gives me a long look. “It’s—”
Viveka shrieks. I jerk, my gaze zeroing in on her as her face contorts, shifting between a look of agony and fierce determination. She stares past Rainer, as if seeing something invisible to the rest of us. My head whips to Ken, who appears unconcerned. He leans forward, watching with rapt attention.
“Speaking of,” he mutters.
I ignore him, torn between running to Viv’s side or staying back.
Rainer continues to stares at Viv with a look of boredom, until she drops her sword and falls to her knees.
Her head thrashes from side to side, as if she’s fighting some invisible force. I’m about to jump up and run to her, but Ken puts an arm up to stop me.
“Don’t interrupt.”
“But she’s—”
“She’s fine.”
Time seems to drag on, as Viv grits her teeth and trembles before Rainer. Finally, her body goes still with relief. Then she punches the ground, an angry roar ripping out of her.
“Better,” Rainer says. “But still not good enough.”
He sheaths his sword and wipes the sweat off his brows with the hem of his shirt. I blush at the sight of his abs, quickly averting my eyes to his feet—focusing anywhere other than his sweaty muscles and too-pretty features.
Rainer extends a hand to Viveka, helping her up. The two clasp forearms and she smiles at him appreciatively, her previous rage nowhere to be found.
“Good run, Umbra Prince.”
“You lasted longer than last time,” he says. “You’re getting better. Until you can stave it off entirely, you’ll keep your shifts short and trade with Ken before nightfall.”
“What was that?” I whisper to Ken.
“Don’t worry. We’ll start you with the infantile lessons.”
“I’m serious—what did he just do to her?”
