Castle Vitale

Part 18: Training Days

DARIUS POV

"This is her first day of training," Drake said to me as I put a beautiful carved metal collar around Charlotte's neck. "Shouldn't you give it to her at the end as a reward?"

"She is carrying my child," I said easily, turning her around and straightening it. I kissed her forehead, and she smiled up at me. "Besides, she will want to find a dress in time."

"Why do I get ribbons?" Shanti asked. "Why I can't have something like that?"

"In Elite Court, learners have bells," Drake said quickly. "It allows for mistakes. They won't expect me to punish you...well, not severely."

I cringed inwardly, seeing Shanti's chin lift in defiance. She was acting like we weren't all at risk, that we weren't in it together. We were. Didn't she know that? "You're kind of...spirited, Shanti. We're just trying to make sure you're ready."

"And Charlotte is," Shanti challenged. "Pregnancy hormones and all?"

"I believe she is." I gave a nod.

"And me?" Shanti said angrily, but I didn't miss the tears in her eyes. 

"I-" I chose my words carefully. "I haven't known you long. Drake can answer that question better."

"Right," she hissed. "right. I quit."

"You're going to what?" Drake finally spoke, and I sensed the oncoming battle. "We don't have time for this!"

"I don't want to do this, and I shouldn't have to!" Shanti bit out. "Charlotte may be under some spell--like some dog--woof woofing all over--"

"Shanti!"

Shanti's lip began to tremble as her focus left Drake and she saw Charlotte's wounded expression. Both women looked ready to burst into tears. Shanti ran out of the room. 

I went after her. "Let me."

"Darius, she's just being pigheaded--"

"Like you?" I threw over my shoulder. "Gimme a minute." I went after her. She was pretty quick when she wanted to be. She whirled on me, and I didn't want to be thrown. "WHOA!" I put my hands up. "I just want to talk."

"About what?" Shanti asked, starting to sniff. 

I took a deep breath, and gathered her in my arms. She was awfully small, I didn't realize that till now. "I've been meaning to thank you."

"For what?"

"For understanding about Charlotte and the baby," I whispered. "I know it hurts sometimes."

"You're psychic too?"

"No," I chuckled down at her. "but I can read your eyes, your face. Sometimes I feel like she is closer to him now."

"You too?"

"But it's more like, it's like he's adopted another child."

"You feel like a son to him?"

"He's really the only father I've known," I shook my head. "He was my benefactor at the orphanage. I was left with the priest there. Other kids got adopted, but not me. I felt so..."

"Alone?"

"Yes, alone," I admitted. "but then Drake would come, and he took such an interest in me. He believed in me, and when I told him how I felt, he said, 'No matter what I will be here.'" I swallowed hard, remembering that moment. "He told me what he was, and he looked so scared I wouldn't accept him. Can you believe it? Drake, scared?"

"No."

"Ha, you have to know what it looks like," I smiled down at her. "He looks like a soldier, but his eyes shine with emotion. Look for that glisten, that shine. That's how he feels, the rest is him seeing things through, doing what he must."