"Celaena," a voice growled, "get up."
Celaena groggily opened her eyes to the light. Chaol was standing at the archway that led into her room. She groaned and turned to her side, denying herself the fact that she had to get up.
Celaena felt Chaol's anger rising and she smiled slightly.
Having given up getting Celaena to wake by himself, Chaol turned to Philippa. Philippa was the King's servant and Celaena's maid.
Chaol whispered something to Philippa then promptly strode out of the room, slamming the door in his wake.
Philippa huffed in annoyance. "Well, he's not very sprightly, isn't he?"
Celaena muffled a laugh. She like Philippa. "What did he tell you?"
Philippa sighed and placed some clothes at Celaena's feet; a tunic and cotton pants. Celaena took them hesitantly. "You have training today."
"How does that differ to any other day?"
"It's a run around the castle."
Celaena's eyes widened as she remembered how large the castle was. She may be an assassin, but she despised running. She hated the feeling of her throat burning and her muscles aching. Besides, she was out of shape.
"Come on, Ms Sardothien. I'll draw you a bath and help you get ready."
****
Despised was an understatement. The familiarity of the tightening in her abdomen and pain in her calves was awful.
Yes, she loathed running, but what made it even worse was Chaol running a few metres ahead of her, taunting and teasing her.
"Come on, Sardothien!" He looked around quickly to make sure no one heard. "Faster!"
Celaena threw a glare at Chaol. He was not helping.
They weren't necessarily falling behind. Some of the other competitors were behind them. Chaol and Dorian had discussed with Celaena their plan. Stay low. Don't excel, but don't fail.
It felt like hours before they finally reached the castle entrance, where they were permitted to have a short break and drink. Celaena bent over, her heart racing. She felt the familiar taste of blood at the back of her throat, and she groaned in defeat.
She gestured to Chaol that she was getting a drink, and raced towards the bushes, emptying her stomach as she choked and tried to clean herself up and maintain her pride.
Chaol was staring at her when she emerged, but she paid him no mind. She walked towards Sam, who was a few metres away, chatting with Wesley.
Celaena never really thought much of Wesley. Yes, he was Arobynn's guard, but he never seemed cruel. He loved Lysandra though, that was easy enough to tell.
She grasped Sam's shoulder. "Hey," she whispered into his ear.
He turned around and smiled at her. It felt so good to have Sam around. To be able to talk to him whenever she liked.
"Hello." he glanced down at her form, aching and sweating from the run. "How was that?" He asked cheekily.
Celaena shoved his arm away. "You're not much better, Cortland."
He grinned but turned around. "We'll talk later, okay?" Celaena nodded and walked back to Chaol, who was staring at the two of them curiously.
She scowled at him. "What?"
"Do you . . . Did you know Nox? As in, before all this?" He seemed uncomfortable, and Celaena relished seeing him like this.
"No, Chaol, I didn't. Not until now."
He frowned but said nothing. He must have been able to sense her bad mood, and how it was not likely to improve with his presence. "Go to your room. I'll pick you up for training in the hall later."
YOU ARE READING
After Everything
Fantasy"it was like a dance. a dance of silver and blades and speed. they danced around one another, moving in time, as if it had been rehearsed a hundred times before. they fought like old lovers, as if they knew the others next moves like it was written...
