"I don't think you have the right parts for this bathroom, sheman," another says.

"Back off," I shout at them.

They don't see Fen yet. He's hidden by the shadows. So they laugh.

Big mistake.

Fen steps out of the darkness. They step back.

"What's going on here?" Fen growls.

The biggest, who seams to be the leader, smirks. "Can't you see for yourself? This freak's trying to get into the girl's room. Probably to molest and rape someone."

Fen steps forward. "What I see is a lady trying to use the bathroom. And pathetic excuses for men trying to stop her." He looks at Es. "Go ahead and use the bathroom. I'll have a chat with our new friends here."

Es looks at me, and I nod and join her in the bathroom.

There are thuds outside. Screams and yells. I don't know what Fen does to those guys, but they are gone when we come back out. Es walks over to Fen, and I hold my breath waiting.

She holds out her hand. "Thank you."

They shake. "You're welcome. You deserve to be treated like the lady you are."

I think Es is going to cry. I know I am.

Is it any wonder I'm falling for this man?

We walk Es back to The Roxy, and as we are about to leave she pulls me into a hug. "I won't say a word to anyone. Not even Pete. I don't know what's going on, but that man is in love with you, so I know he'll keep you safe."

I choke back a sob. "I love you, Es. I'm sorry."

She wipes a tear from my eye. "Love you too, girl. Be safe."

When we return to the limo, I feel more homesick than ever. But the home I'm missing is Stonehill, not Portland.

Chapter 12

OUTLANDS

"Daison, I'd like you to meet Princess Arianna, guest of Prince Fenris. Princess, this is my speaks-before-thinking apprentice, Daison."

—Kayla Windhelm

It takes another three days before my sword is finally done. It seems surreal that I helped make the beauty I hold in my hands. Kayla grins like a fool. "You did an amazing job, Ari."

I look up at her and smile. "I really think this was more you than me. But thank you."

I worked the pendant stone Es gave me into the hilt, and Kayla helped me etch elaborate designs into the steel, so it wouldn't just be a stab and swipe kind of blade, but a real work of art.

I slide it into its custom black scabbard and practice drawing the sword. It hangs from one side of my hip, with the dagger Daison made on the other.

The boy stands in the shadows, beaming. He's become more comfortable with me recently, and we've fallen into a camaraderie that I enjoy. "You're a natural at blacksmithing," he says.

I'm about to argue, but Kayla cuts me off. "He's right. You have a gift for this. I hope you keep practicing when you leave."

I don't like thinking about leaving Stonehill, but my month will be up soon. I'm supposed to go to Dean next. Kayla knows how I feel about that, and she squeezes my hand. "This too shall pass," she says. "And then you can choose from your heart."

"You know I can't." My breath hitches. "You know he doesn't want this."

"My brother has a lot of secrets that keep him trapped in his own darkness. You might be the one who can help him into the light. Don't give up on him just yet."

I nod and push away unhappy thoughts as I swing my sword, practicing the moves Fen has drilled into me over weeks of training. I have muscles where none existed before, at least none you could see. I even have abs. I'm quite impressed with myself, to be honest.

"What's its name?" Daison asks.

"What?"

"Your sword. Every proper sword needs a name. What will you call yours?"

I raise the blade, admiring the swirls and eagles etched into the steel. "Spero. It means hope."

"Fitting," says Kayla.

Daison shrugs. "I would have gone with Dragonslayer or Heartbreaker personally."

I sheathe Spero and sigh. "Do you mind if I beg off today?"

Kayla laughs. "Let me guess, you want to show your sword off to Fen?"

I blush. I'm too easy to read. "Yeah. Basically."

She shoves me out of the smithy. "Go. Show off. You deserve it. But I'll expect you back here tomorrow ready to work."

I salute her in mock seriousness. "Yes, ma'am."

She rolls her eyes at me. "Cheeky girl. Get gone."

I walk quickly back to the castle, enjoying the weight of steel at my hip. I feel like a kid at Christmas and can't wait to share my excitement with Fen.

He's in the training arena talking to his soldiers when I approach.

His eyes fall to my hip, and he raises that one sexy eyebrow with the scar. The soldiers leave us, and he walks to me. "It is finished?"

"Yes!" I draw Spero and hand it to him to examine.

He studies the design, then raises the blade and considers its weight and balance before handing it back to me. "You did well. It's a perfect fit for you. Are you ready to begin training with real steel now?"

I nod.

He grins. "Very well. Prepare yourself." He pulls out his sword, and our blades clash together as he takes me through one of our sparring forms.

I can feel the difference in using a real sword versus wood, and I know I'm going to need to get even stronger to be a decent fighter. Working in the forge has helped build muscle, but I need more stamina then I have. I know I have untapped potential in me. I just need to push harder.