Page 100 of Spring Guardians & Songbirds

“My soldiers,” Mal introduced. “Part of the Eldritch squadron.”

Unease settled in me at the memory of the last Empath I crossed paths with. “Empaths,” I said with a sneer I couldn’t help. “How joyous.”

The men all chuckled, except for Mal. He knew the reason for my reaction.

He threw a sweaty naked arm over my shoulder and pulled me close. “I’ve known these fatheads since they were learning to shave downwards and nicking their tiny treasures. We are brothers—brothers who know to respect and protect the people I care about. I don’t go easy on those that I select under my command.”

Somehow, I believed him. With my thumb and finger, I picked Mal’s arm and swung it off me. “You stink.”

The idiot wrapped it around me again, making sure to rub his sweaty armpit on me. “You’re used to my flower-scented brother. This isn’t sweat, it’s my body’s tears from hard work.”

I landed a hard punch on his stomach that sent him stumbling a couple steps back and his soldiers blasted in a laughing fit. “Ruined my favourite dress,” I said, smoothing a hand over my sleeve.

Mal chuckled and grabbed my wrist, pulling me onto a training court. “Might as well use that situation to our advantage. You taught me some tricks in Isjord, but I never got the chance to show you any.”

“Mal, when I kick your arse, I doubt your men will lend you a weeping shoulder.”

His soldiers surrounded the court’s fences. “Kick it and I’ll offer him mine,” a blonde one said.

“Not my type, Neo,” Mal said, giving him a wink before taking a fighting stance. “Hand to hand, sister-in-law.”

I rolled my eyes. “That’s a tongue twister for your small brains I bet.”

He made a hurt sound and put a hand over his chest. “Don’t hurt my poor heart. The deal was to hurt my adorable buttocks.”

“They are adorable,” Neo said, and the men all laughed.

Mal pointed a finger at him. “Thank you, still not my type. Your sister, however.”

The men all made a booing sound and Neo shook his head.

I cracked my neck and took position as did Mal.

He winked at me and gestured his finger for me to approach him. So I did, faking a punch which he caught with his much larger hand. The moment he anchored me to him, I grabbed his wrist and twirled his arm behind his back. The moment we were back to back, I slammed my heel on his knee and he went down. The men cheered and howled. Mal was quick, however, using his free hand to lessen his fall and spin in place to mimic my move, my arm locked behind my back as he slammed his heel on my knee sending me down. “I am a gentleman,” he said, holding me tight. “Just not to arse kicking ladies.”

“Neither am I,” I said, using my free hand to unsheathe the dagger on my thigh and twisting it backward to press it to his back. Gently, I poked his skin.

“Ouch.”

“Aw,” I pouted, extending a hand to help him up. “Did the mean, arse kicking lady hurt you?”

He scoffed. “Cheater.”

With a bright saccharine smile, I admitted, “A proud one.” I kicked his leg. “Get up. I need you to do something for me?”

“Homicide?” he asked slyly.

“Not today. Saving that favour for another time.”

He raised a brow and stood. “Another thing ending with cide?”

“Why? Do you need permission from your brother dearest?”

He shrugged. “Possibly. He is my king.”

“Aren’t I your queen?”

“Convenient, isn’t it?” he said, ruffling my hair as he went past me to retrieve his discarded shirt. Did he just…ruffle my hair?