THE WILLOW AND THE DEVILS HEART | E.JAEGER

CHAPTER EIGHT

Late chapter but I hope you enjoy!!! Comments and votes are always appreciated ❁

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The slight sting of a bo staff hitting Amara's ribs had her letting out a low hiss in pain. She took a quick step back to regain her position as she lowered herself slightly on the defensive. Keeping the weapon study in her grip she began circling around her competitor.

Gaze drawn low, she kept her eyes on the young blonds movements. She watched as he stumbled in his steps, giving her the perfect opening to lunge forward and smack the bo staff against his stomach. He doubled over in pain as she brought it down to his back, causing him to fall to the mat with a heavy thud.

Standing tall she peered down at him before lowering her head in a bow stance. Sudden clapping caught her attention as she looked towards Sasha who held a wide grin across her face, "That's ten to zero", she called out.

Amara blew out a small breath of laughter as she reached down to take Falco by the hand, "You were able to get a hit on me today", She praised, "You're getting better."

His face turned warm as he stood to face her, "It was all thanks to you, my Queen."

She replied with a sincere smile, placing her hand along his head as a small scoff echoed from the sidelines, "Hey! What about me?" Jean complained, "Who's the one that taught you the move in the first place?"

Amara's arms crossed with an amused expression falling to her face, "That's why it seemed so familiar", She quipped, before trailing in his direction.

"Either way her Majesty's never lost a match before in her life", Gabi bragged, pulling everyone's attention towards her. She leaned against a pillar a couple feet away dressed in custom training gear.

Similar to Jean, her family also came from a long line of reapers. She had been training since she could walk, giving her a slight edge over Falco who only began his lessons when he became of age. Because of this, it was painfully obvious to see their difference in abilities during their sessions—Despite that the Queen had high hopes for both of them.

"I had an amazing teacher ," Amara shrugged away as reached for the drink Jean offered her.

"Will we ever get to be as good as you?", Falco questioned. His eyes were soft as he spoke, standing close to Udo who took hold of the staff the boy once held. Zophia followed suit as she took hold of Gabi's things, setting them gently to the side.

The two teens were guards in training. Once either Falco or Gabi took their spot as the next ruler of the Island they would be promoted to a personal guard—Similar to Jean, Sasha, Connie and Marco. The two were hand picked by both teens when they first underwent their training.

All four of them were a good bunch of kids—With an established sense of justice that would help them in the future. It's the reason Amara kept a close eye on them, and made it her duty to teach them everything she knew. When she began her own training as a child she felt as if she lacked the proper mentor to show her the ropes.

Although Levi was her battle instructor she couldn't expect him to know anything about ruling a nation. And with Lord Riess as her predecessor, he kept to himself more times than not. They only really interacted when she explicitly reached out for guidance.

The only other person that led her to the right path was Historia, but even then the High Priestess could only share so much. Because of this Amara felt it was her duty to guide these kids, so they didn't have to suffer the same problems she had.

Turning to face the young blond once more she let out a small breath, "If you work hard and dedicate yourself to the craft then I believe you both will far succeed what i've been able to accomplish."