Broken, but Not Defeated

Chapter 31 (Wesley)

Caldina had looked every inch a witch queen when she had stalked into the throne room. She literally stalked in, like she was on the hunt for something. I think even some of the witches were scared for their lives. If this was the beginning of my day, let's just say I would be stopping a lot of fights. Both my sister's bodyguards and the rest of the witches eyed each other warily. When the witch had attacked Aron, I thought she had been coming for my throat. I also believe if Caldina had not stopped the witch, Aron would be dead. I really hope that would not be the case. I like Aron, he is a good man.

An hour after the throne room incident, Cole and I stand in one of the training arenas practicing. Sienna and Esta watch us, giving very helpful commentary.

"If Cole keeps standing the way he is, he'll fall on his butt," Esta says to Sienna with a huge grin on her face. To be honest, if they don't shut up, I might shut them up myself.

"Thank you, Esta! For the tip." Cole yells back to her.

"She wasn't talking to you!" Sienna yells back. "Watch your head, Wesley!"

She might have yelled it a little too late. My head smacks against a beam. I hold up my hand to signal to Cole to stop, then grab the back of my head and groan. Sienna and Esta burst into laughter. Cole shoots them a look.

"Those two are driving me up a wall," he says with a sigh. "Are you okay?"

"Yup, I'm just going to sit down for a few seconds," I reply. Cole and I walk to where Sienna and Esta are sitting. They still are laughing. I'm pretty sure Sienna is crying.

"Sorry, I thought I warned you in time," she says between gasps, as she tries and fails to rein in her laughter.

"Since you two seem to know so much about swordplay, how about you give it a go?" Cole says, giving them a challenging stare.

"Because neither one of us owns defeat unless we are six feet underground," Sienna replies. "But by all means, Esta has too much energy." Sienna looks at Esta and winks. All I can think is this is going to be a disaster. Esta draws a long beautiful sword.

"Not scared are you, Captain?" I respond. Cole grabs his sword and follows her into the ring.

"This is a disaster," I whisper, shaking my head. Sienna chuckles in response. They both take their stances, Cole's face is grim with determination, while Esta is giving him a predatorial smile. Cole attacks, Esta quickly deflects it, and the next thing I know Cole is laying face down in the dirt. Sienna throws her head back and howls with laughter. "You should see the look on your faces!" she cries, shaking with laughter.

Cole sits up and shakes his head. "How did you do that?"

"A simple foot trick," Esta says, offering him her hand. "You good?"

"I think. Just don't tell the others."

"Too late, we saw the whole thing," Aron says from behind me. I turn around to spot Aron, Matthew, Peter, Juliana, and Anya. The second I spot Anya, I can't take my eyes off her. Her brown hair falls like a waterfall behind her. Her blue eyes are gorgeous, absolutely stunning. I clear my throat, and study the clothes she is wearing. Loose-fitting shirt, pants, and black boots. She looks like an angel. I tear my eyes off her and look the other way. "It's okay Wesley, but if I were you I would make her mine as fast as I could. How long do you think those other men will stay away?" Sienna whispers in my ear. "Apologize as fast as you can, and propose to her. For crying out loud!" I let my eyes drift over the group. Matthew is already eyeing Anya, and at that thought, all I want to do is bash his head into a concrete wall and rip his eyes out. Woah, easy there, she isn't yours.

"You alright, Wesley?" Juliana asks me. Wait, what?

"Of course he is. You girls should train," Sienna states.

Thank you, Sienna.

"Sienna is right, come on Juliana I will train you," I say. Cole gives me a shocked look. What? Guess that is what I get for tuning out of the conversation.

"Nope, not with a head injury you're not," Esta says standing in front of me.

"You're hurt. Are you okay?" Juliana asks, rushing to my side.

"I'm fine, it's just a little bump." In all honesty, I wish Anya had been the one to run to my side. Oh well.

"I would not call smacking your head against a beam a small injury," Caldina says, walking outside.

"I'm fine guys. At least I'm not suffering from a hurt bum, like Cole."

"Thanks, Wes, you really are my favorite," Cole jokes.

A tiny smile appears on Caldina's face before it's gone. "Sienna, Esta. Saddle your horses, I want to scout the outer perimeter." I watch as they both nod and rush off to do as they are told.

"Where is the outer perimeter?" I ask, following after Caldina as she makes her way to the front of the castle. "Caldina, what did you mean last night?"

"You will have to figure it out yourself, Wesley."

"Let me come with you, please."

"No, Wesley."

"Why?"

"Because."

"'Because' is not good enough."

"Listen, Wesley, I have no idea what lies in wait for us out there. I need people who know what they are doing, and people who know where they are going."

"What if I stay close to you?"

"Wesley," Caldina says with barely any patience. "My answer will not change. No means no."

"Fine!" I snap back, turn on my heels, and head back to the others.