GIFTED RILEY by Lacy Mierr

Chapter 18: Training 101

*Riley*

I couldn’t figure out if Vera giving me her hand after each blow was helpful or humiliating. I had tried to ignore it the first few times, not wanting to seem weak, but Vera had a way with words.

“There is no shame in accepting help from one who offers it with no hidden meaning behind it,” she had said. After that, I took her hand each time.

I wiped the sweat from my brow and stretched out some of the aches I already had. I had no idea how long she had been tossing me around, but it felt like days on end. Still, I impressed myself by getting back up. Back home, no one would even bother with me, why train me if I would never see battle?

I glanced at her profile then followed where her gaze was. Nicolas was not so hidden away in the shadows. I saw him clearly but looked away. I felt embarrassed about the night before. He must think ill of me, but what he didn’t know was that I was waiting for the other shoe to drop. I knew it was coming and when it did I wanted to be ready to make my

escape.

“Don’t look at him. I’m your opponent,” Vera said, drawing my

attention.

Chapter 38 Training 1521

I opened my mouth to deny that I was looking at him but she had launched at me. She threw a right punch and I was supposed to block with my left then jab with my right. I had no idea what to do with my feet and I ended up blocking, finally, but threw my weight around awkwardly and tripped up on my footwork.

I wasn’t surprised to find myself partially on the ground again. A movement caught my eye and the space that Nicolas once took up was now empty. I would leave after seeing that pathetic display.

Vera helped me up then started walking around me, staring at me as if I were her prey. She fixed her messy ponytail as she c**d her head to

stare.

“Something isn’t working,” she finally said.

“Yeah, me. I should have been taught when I was younger, so I guess it’s too late for me to figure this out,” I said, sounding weak even to my

own cars.

Vera waved her hand at me.

“No, it’s not that,” she said. Again, she didn’t actually deny it, but she didn’t agree so I wasn’t sure where I stood in her eyes.

“I’ve been training you as if you’ve had no basic training. Which you haven’t, but I’m sure you’ve seen it, or rather been on the other end of it,” she said, then raised her eyes to me and her smile made me recoil.

Chapter 18 Training 101

“Oh no.” I groaned. That smile couldn’t be good.

Whatever she had planned for me, I knew I wasn’t going to like very much.

Apparently Vera had a sick but brilliant mind. Having spent most of my life defending myself from my bullies she used those years of trauma to not only inspire me to improve but help me understand the basics.

Instead of being the one being attacked she helped me see just what they did to gain the upper hand and how they easily dealt the most damage while keeping me alive. It left me bruised and achy but as I hobbled away from the training yard I found myself thinking of other assaults I endured and how I could use it.

Everything hurt, but I guess this is what people mean when they say it’s a good hurt. Hurt and good hurt still meant stiff muscles and pain.

I eased myself to a chair on a bench outside the entrance to the Kings. home. I wasn’t hiding but I did wonder what he would think of me returning here looking as I did. I needed a bath, balm for my scraps and

a soft bed.

A chuckle drew my attention. I turned when I saw a dark skinned man approaching me. His smile was warm, his eyes kind but very

mischievous.

“I would know the Vera effect anywhere,” he laughed, his voice deep.

Chapter 15 Training 101

“Ah so that’s what this new found pain is called,” I teased back, welcoming his presence and conversation. Also I needed to rest and decide on where the hell I was going.

“I’m Knox, the king’s g a m m a,” he introduced himself.

“I’m Riley,” I did the same.

“I heard from Vera that you are the King’s guest?” He asked it as a question but I could tell he didn’t think the word guest should be thrown around lightly.

“Let’s go with that,” I said, not ready to announce who the King thought I was to him.

He accepted my hesitation and rested against the door frame, crossing his arms as he studied me briefly.

“I saw you out there,” he finally said.

“Glad I had an audience,” I groaned. He saw me, Nicolas as well, might as well had everyone including those in Evermane to watch me make a fool of myself.

“I was actually impressed. From what I’ve heard of you, you have no training. Though it shows you have something more than skills can provide,” he said.

Chapter 18 Training 101

I raised my brows at him, waiting for his wise wisdom. My look must have humored him because he laughed again.

“You have drive. Each hit you took to the chest, so to speak. You never stopped. If you keep this attitude Vera will have you trained in no time. She loves a dedicated pupil,” he explained.

“Mmm,” I replied, trying not to feel joy at his words, “Dedicated you. say?” I chuckled.

“Well if not that then which is it? Stubbornness or resilience?” he

teased.

“Ask me tomorrow,” I laughed.

The space got quiet between us, but he kept glancing at me and then towards the field where Vera was still training by herself. Finally, he spoke again.

“Since it was just the two of you, I bet there was some small talk then,” he said, unable to catch my eye.

“Uh, well not really,” I confessed, but could easily read where this was going. He jerked to look at me.

“She didn’t mention me at all?” he asked.

I laughed, “Was she supposed to? I mean I did take up a good chunk of

Chapter 18 Training 101

her time today.”

His face fell and I actually felt bad for him.

“But I did learn something about her. She praised me whenever I got back up, so if you want her to stop in the middle of a training session, I suggest you keep at it. She likes persistence,” I said. He made a face that caused me to laugh.

A roar stopped my laughter cold. Knox went stiff, standing alert. I knew the roar had come from Nicolas. He seemed to appear out of thin air and was grabbing me by the waist possessively, his gaze shifting between me and Knox.

“Knox, this doesn’t look like the dining hall,” he barked.

Knox bowed low, excused himself and left without looking at me. Nicolas didn’t release me until Knox was out of view. Freed, I followed.

Knox’s lead and bowed.

“If you’ll excuse me, My King,” I said, trying to escape as well.

“No smile for me? Seems you enjoy talking to anyone but your Alpha.”