All for the Wing, Right?

Practice

We are in the sparring gym for an extra training session. I am sitting next to Liam as he whittles away and I'm seemingly bored that no one wanted to spare with me.

"You're distracted tonight."

Rhiannon tells Violet. She backs off with her bow staff. She's not wrong.

"But you're faster than you used to be. Whatever Imogen has you doing is working."

"As if there was any doubt."

Imogen calls out from the next mat over. I'm annoyed with the whole thing since I'm not of much help these days. I have been put on Jack Barlow watch tonight per Liam's request. If only I was truly allowed to kill him, I might actually do it now.

"You're taking it easy on me."

"We've been at this for an hour. You're tired and the last thing I want is to hurt you."

Rhiannon states.

"Challenges resume after solstice. You're not doing me any favors by holding back."

Violet argues. I shrug and close my eyes laying my back onto the bench.

"She's not wrong."

Liam stands and I turn my head unamused already knowing its Xaden.

"Well aware!"

Violet snaps as Xaden and Garrick passes the mat in front of me.

"Go away, unless you have something useful to say."

Violet snips.

"Move faster, you'll be less likely to die. How's that for useful? Highbrooke look alive."

I huff and sit up again. Xaden and Garrick head to a mat more towards the center of the gym. I hear Rhiannon huff and Liam shakes his head.

"What?"

"The way you talked to him?"

Rhiannon murmurs.

"What's he going to do, kill me?"

Violet asks.

"You're likely to kill each other. Can't wait to see how you two function after graduation."

Liam retorts. I take a deep breathe in and exhale.

"Haven't let myself think past this week, let alone all the way to graduation."

Violet snaps back.

"Look I know you're aggravated by how long it's taking Tairn to channel. I'm just saying on this mat with me is a way safer place for you to take out that anger, then the giant shadow wielding wing leader."

I chuckle at Rhiannon's statement.

"I don't want to take out any of my anger on you, you're my friend. He's the one who stuck me with a shadow I can't shake because he thinks I'm his weakness. But does he help me?"

Violet lashes out and Rhiannon counters.

"No! Does he train me?"

Another lung and another clash of their staffs.

"No. He's remarkably good at showing up when I'm about to die and eliminating threats, but that's it!"

Violet's quick temper almost annoys me. She's attracted to Xaden fucking Riorson and there is nothing I can do to stop it.

"So there's definitely some anger there."

Rhiannon spins away from Violet.

"You would be furious if someone took your freedom away. If you had Liam at your door every morning, until every night. Even as seemingly great as he is."

Violet dodges an attack of Rhiannon. I chuckle in Liam's direction.

"I appreciate that."

Liam says to Violet.

"If I was in her shoes I'm not sure I'd be upset with you at my door. Don't tell Bodhi I said that."

I whisper to Liam.

"I don't think I'd mind that either after what I saw the other night."

I laugh a bit and adjust in my seat.

"Yeah, I would and I'm pissed on your behalf. Now! Let's put that anger to use."

Rhiannon says as she begins to form moves in Violet's direction. Who keeps up because of Rhiannon taking it easy on her. I see Violet's gaze move above Rhiannon's shoulder towards the center of the gym. I look and there is Xaden and Garrick sparing shirtless. I huff and put my elbows on my knees and placing my head in my hands.

There is only one guy I'll drool over and it's not those two. Rhiannon pops Violet in the hip with her staff. I snort back a laugh until I hear Rhiannon's voice falter.

"Pay attention! I could have... oh."

I shake my head and tune everything out. That is until I hear Dain's voice.

"If you guys are this easily distracted we're fucked for the squad battle. You can kiss any thoughts of visiting the front line goodbye."

Everyone snaps out of it and I pay attention to the squad Barlow is in move away from the mats they were just occupying. Rhiannon smacks Violet onto her back on the mat.

"Shit. I'm sorry Vi. Just relax and give it a second."

Rhiannon comforts Violet.

"And yet that is the rider Tairn chose! I'm starting to think he chose wrong, but considering I haven't seen you wield any powers I bet you're thinking the same thing too. Aren't you Sorrengail? Shouldn't you have twice the ability to channel with two dragons?"

Jack's voice sets every fuse I have on fire. I stand up with Liam putting ourselves between Violet and Jack. Liam is just a bit ahead of me.

"Simmer down Mairi. I'm not going to attack your little charge. Not when I can just challenge her in a couple of weeks and accidentally snap her scrawny neck in front of an audience. Tell me though, you are getting tired of playing the nurse maid, aren't you? Same thing to you Highbrooke."

I take in a deep breathe as to calm down this pinned up energy. A squad mate offers Jack a slice of an orange he's eating. Jack shoves his hand away at the wrist.

"Get that noxious thing away from me. Do you want me to end up in the infirmary?"

"Walk the fuck away Barlow!"

Liam warns with a dagger in hand. I wait to unsheathe mine as if it wouldn't falter my attack. Jack's quick whip of expressions tells me Xaden is behind Violet, and now drawing Jack's attention to him.

"She's only alive because of you!"

Jack points I'm sure in Xaden's direction.

"Right because I'm the one who buried a dagger in your shoulder at threshing"

"We could just settle this now. If you're done hiding behind the big, strong men."

His gaze darts to me for a moment.

"And Highbrooke."

I scoff and shake my head.

"That's what I thought."

He blows Violet a kiss and it takes everything in me not to kick his ass.

"You ran! That day in the field, you fucking ran when me and Talon faced you three. And we both know when it comes down to it you'll run again. That's what cowards do."

His facial expressions make my whole freaking month. Jack looks embarrassed.

" Oh for fuck's sake Violet."

Dain murmurs.

"She's not wrong."

Xaden says and Garrick laughs. As I see Jack's body lunge for Violet, I grab a dagger and step between Liam and Violet more. Liam grabs Jack and shoves him out of the gym. With a flick of his hand Xaden shuts the doors locking Jack out.

"What the hell were you thinking egging him on like that?"

Dain asks Violet.

"Oh now you feel like talking to me?"