A Shield of Faith (BOOK 4)

Chapter 37

ADARA

"I'm not so sure about this, Fenrer. I do have two left feet."

"You were doing fine back at the palace."

"You were doing most of the work."

"If you focus too hard on falling, you'll end up doing that."

Her knees quivered as she tried to balance on the post which barely fit both of her feet. Any small motion sent a jolt of nervous electricity straight into her heart when her heel slipped, but she caught herself in time as Fenrer stood on the shore, right beside her. And Warden Trainees do this often? Adara moved one foot to the closest post, but she groaned and found herself stuck, slowly tugging herself forward as Fenrer followed close. "I'm trying not to think too hard." Knees locked, she froze. "Do you think Yuven would just... let me learn passable footwork on solid ground?"

Fenrer smiled up at her. "Do you want me to answer that?"

"Ugh, no." Adara swung one foot to the next at a rush of irritation. Her heel inched forward to the edge, and she rushed to catch herself on the next post. Her heartbeat thundered with distant storms as Fenrer climbed onto the post she once occupied, perfectly balanced, a steadfast presence of unwavering faith. "Also, are you sure you should be doing this?"

"I've been bed-ridden for a week," Fenrer said, and Adara frowned when he walked from post to post with a graceful, otherworldly movement which reminded her of the Princess of Naveera. Gliding. Flying. He kept his hands behind his back and stopped at her side. External focus... External focus... Gods! Adara shook out her head when Fenrer floated once more to her other side, barely tripping on his own feet as his jadeite swirls examined her. I think he's doing that on purpose. "I can't help it if I get stage fright..."

"It's just me, Adara."

Adara took a step, then gasped when her boot went too far forward. Arms out, she flinched when Fenrer swung himself around in a single movement, without a wasted breath as he caught her with his hands on her elbows and her back into his chest as he placed a foot on the post below her. Limp in his arms and in an embarrassing, awkward position, she mumbled, "Yuven would've just let me fall."

"Aye," Fenrer said at her the top of her head, unbothered by her deadweight. "But... last I spoke he was dealing with some things, but he also mentioned he wanted to get you back on track, and impressed upon me the importance of proving the Elder Conclave wrong." One hand went to her back as he pushed her forward onto the pole she slipped on. "I'm also not Yuven, I'm more preparing you for what he might make you do." He let her go and followed her close.

"Oh..." Adara went to one more pole, and she scowled when her knees shuddered. "Do all Storm Wardens know how to dance?" Her gaze fell upon his face when he slowed to a stop beside her. "You made an impression at the palace, I doubt that's just from Warden Training." Her foot kicked the next pole, but instant regret washed over her when she swung herself into Fenrer instead to avoid the collapse into the crystal clear water below.

"I wouldn't say all of them know how to dance as I did in Naveera — that was an extreme circumstance that required more than what you think of dancing. The Wyvern Flight is precious to the Avaerilian people. It is not just a dance. It is important in their expression of self just as much as their voices are." Fenrer straightened her out. "Neven taught me. He taught me a lot of things."

Adara closed one eye to aim her next foot onto the pole, farther away from solid ground. "You know, for someone even Yuven applauds for his skill, I was expecting..."

"Another Yuven?"

Adara nodded and continued on. "He wasn't what I was expecting, at the least." On one more precarious post, she waited for Fenrer to get ahead of her. "What else did he teach you?" Hands up to gently reject his offer of assistance, she reached him all on her own, and she grinned down at her two left feet before returning her attention to Fenrer.