The In-Between

Chapter 12 - New Perspectives

*TW – Abuse*

I had not left my room since returning to the estate with Calden and no one came to check on me. Dinner had been shimmered in and ignored again. I tossed in my bed that evening, Boris snoring loudly on the floor beside me. At least one of us was getting a restful sleep. I pulled the covers off me, revealing the lavender negligee that replaced my dress. I retrieved my matching satin robe, a book from one of the shelves, and retreated the balcony. The midnight air was warmer than usual, but I pulled my robe tighter around me as I took a seat at one of the tables that dotted the open balcony. Laying the book on the table, I looked out to the glittering city of Iotia. The statehouse shone with lights, and I knew that some courtiers still lingered in the building, perhaps readying it for the banquet tomorrow.

It had been so long since Rivendall had hosted any kind of social event. I was not keen on celebrating much after Ollie. I realized then that I had been dividing up my life like that, before and after Ollie. I wondered how healthy that was. When I arrived here, I refused to acknowledge the possibility that I had been wrong about the war. Now, I didn't know how to reconcile what I had seen and heard from everyone: Graham, Calden, Colin, and even Daisy and Finnick. Trying to figure out what I felt was even more confusing.

What would that have meant for my relationship with Ollie? That it was all a lie? It couldn't have been. Ollie loved me. He trained me to protect myself against our enemies. Or he trained you so he knew what you were capable of...No, I was not a weapon for Ollie to use; he wouldn't have done that. My eyebrows knitted together in concentration, replaying conversations with him. The memories I'd once held so closely me to me, viewed from a new perspective.

My sword clattered against Ollie's, again and again. My muscles were so sore, and I was exhausted. I missed a parry and Ollie knocked my sword out of my hand. We were both breathing hard.

"Again." Ollie barked.

I braced my hands against my thighs, trying to regain normal breaths. "No, I'm done."

"The hell you are!" He said, throwing my sword at my feet. "Pick it up."

A flash of irritation rang through me. "No."

We stared at each other, daring the other to break. I would not concede; we'd been sparring since dawn, and it was almost noon now. My body was singing with pain and every breath I took burned my throat. There were others around us. Some of Windguard's soldiers had gathered around us to watch Ollie and me. There were several women who had trained with them, but a Lady from another court sparring with their future Lord, it was a sight to see.

Rage, Ollie was burning with rage. I felt it in his every breath. "You're too weak, Adelaide. You'll die on the battlefield. Once your magic is drained all you have is your strength."

I gritted my teeth. I was as strong as he was, maybe even stronger if we tallied our wins and losses. I could feel the sweat dripping down my face as I shook my head.

"I'm done for today." I said turning to leave, but his soldiers blocked my exit.

I rose a brow at them, waiting for them to move. "They don't answer to you, Adelaide. They do as I ask, and I say we are not finished here."

"Oh, you've got to be kidding me." I scoffed, whirling back to him, but his face was harder than before.

This was not out of character for Ollie. He was usually competitive, pushing people to their limits. Regardless of the annoyance I was feeling toward him, I picked up my sword. I gathered as much energy as I could. If I could win this round, I figured he'd let me leave.