In the Basin

Serenity fell back harshly on her bottom into the sandy floor of the basin. She sighed heavily with irritation as the armored royal guard before her swung his sword down quickly with a striking blow. She rolled onto her stomach away from him. On her back, she lifted her sword in a weak attempt to block another deadly blow. Her wrist gave from the thrusting strength of the guardsman. She dropped her sword and dived out of the way as best she could, but his blade caught her side tearing her shirt and clipping the skin of her waist.

"Ah!" she yelled in frustration.

"Serenity, I'm sorry!" said the guardsman quickly, pulling back his helmet. It was Cevin, her brother She knew he didn't mean to hurt her, but it didn't make her any less frustrated. He leaned forward, offering his hand to help her up to her feet. Serenity took it, muttering her thanks.

"Cevin!" snapped Amira as she walked towards the brother and sister in the basin. "You shouldn't have stopped!"

"She's injured, Amira," he said moving Serenity's shirt to look at the thin wound. Amira smacked his hand away from Serenity's stomach.

"She's had far worse," Amira snipped angrily. "And you," she turned to Serenity. "You're sloppy—"

"—I know," Serenity retorted with gritted teeth. She wasn't frustrated with Cevin for beating or hurting her. She was frustrated with herself for being sloppy and weak with her sword. "I don't have much training with a sword."

Amira shook her head. "Start again. You have all the training you need, Serenity. It's like a dance. It's like sex, for heaven sakes. You're good at least one of those, aren't you? This is no different."

She turned on her heel and marched away. Serenity was flush with embarrassment as she glared at Amira. What was she trying to prove in front of Cevin? Or did she have to be this harsh because here, she was not Serenity's friend training her, she was Cevin's commander?

Serenity knew all of the moves Amira had taught her. All the positions to hold and move the sword, but she just could not seem to get a feel for the weapon. It always felt chunky and difficult to move in her hand. She did not understand how anyone could move so easily with it, as if it were an extension of their arm. She took a long angry breath as she looked at Cevin with a roll of her eyes. She tore her ripped shirt off her body, threw it uselessly down on the first step of the basin, and scooped up her sword.

Cevin removed his helmet and chest plate. He put them to the side before standing before Serenity, ready to strike. Serenity threw her hair over her shoulder as she glared at her brother. Her lean torso was now revealed as she only wore a cropped top covering her breast and thick woven pants.

"Don't go easy on me," Serenity said as she glanced at Amira who was sitting now. "You're not doing me any favors."

"I don't want to hurt you," he responded.

"We're just training. I trust you not to kill me. I can handle a few cuts."

Cevin shrugged. "Have it your way."

Serenity was not prepared for the speed or number of swings Cevin laid on her instantly. She managed to block all of his blows, with some grace, but barely. She was impressed how much he seemed to have learned in such a short time of studying with Amira. He seemed to fully understand the balance and beauty of his sword. It was an extension of his arm and body.

Cevin swung at Serenity's head. Instead of blocking the swing with her sword, she dropped down, like a cat and kicked Cevin's legs out from under him. Once his back hit the floor, the wind was knocked out of him, she disarmed him with her sword; his flung across the sand to her feet. She slid her booted foot under the blade and kicked straight up, lifting the sword into the air. She caught the hilt with her free hand and pointed both swords at Cevin's neck.

"I yield," Cevin said.

Serenity smirked and stood up straight, dropping the swords to her side.

"You got lucky," Amira called.

Serenity frowned as she looked at the tigress.

"You can't say I did better? How was that lucky?"

"He's going easy on you."

Serenity looked at her brother with sad eyes. "That was easy?"

Cevin shrugged as he stood up, dusting his hands. Amira approached them quickly. Without much warning, she tried to kick Cevin's legs out from under him, just as Serenity had. Cevin grabbed Amira's arm before she could drop down entirely, moved his leg before she could kick it, and hooked hers instead. He released his hold on her arm instantly, letting her fall to the ground on her bottom. He did it all so effortlessly; Serenity could only stare at his crystal blue eyes in awe.

"Cevin," she said shocked.

Cevin gave her a weak smile, with a modest and innocent look in his eyes, before extending his hand to Amira. He helped Amira up.

"My apologizes," he said to her gently. The seriousness on Amira's face broke for a moment as she gave Cevin a small smile. Serenity eyes flashed for a moment as she stared at the two of them. "If you'll two excuse me, my shift starts at the gates shortly."

He bowed to both women before moving away to retrieve his belongings. Serenity didn't say anything as he walked away she was staring at Amira with all knowing eyes. Amira blinked and gave Serenity a harsh look once she looked away from Cevin.

"What?"

"You slept with my brother?" Serenity said with a smirk.

Amira rolled her eyes. "How can you tell these things?"

"Despite the warrior you are, you're still a woman," Serenity responded. "And I can see the womanly look of longing in your eyes."

Amira shrugged. "We both had an itch to scratch…"

Serenity frowned. It was not like Cevin to have a one night stand. It was not like any dove to have multiple partners simply for pleasure. Doves were loyal and monogamous. Serenity had never known Cevin to love any woman romantically.

"You wish to scratch it again?"

Both women sat down and took drinks of water from their flasks.

"You saw the way he moved," Amira motioned to the basin floor before them. "I couldn't help myself after watching him training. He moves like a tiger, a beast—"

"—please stop talking," Serenity said with a laugh.

Amira smiled and nodded before taking another drink.

"So, what happened with Lord Carter?"

"He made it clear that he is trying to find his mate," she whispered with a shrug. "And that I was not the person to fulfill his needs for that role."

"I'm sorry," Serenity whispered.

"Don't be," Amira shrugged again. "I told you, if he wouldn't have me I would move on to find someone who would."

"I admire your confidence."

Amira looked at Serenity surprised. "You are very confident. You don't need to be worried about being confident in front of men, you already have the greatest man in the territory."

"Theron said something to me the other night," she whispered. "That I can dismiss any man I want to, even him. It's not my job to please anymore."

Amira nodded, her red pony tail bobbing on the back of her head. "He's right. You're not a slave anymore, Serenity. You're a bird of the court and you're the future queen. You have to exert that power and persona now to everyone. No one can touch you, unless you want them to. He just wants you to know it's okay to stand up for yourself. You don't have to be polite to everyone anymore. If someone does something you don't want them to, you have to correct them."

Serenity nodded. "It's just not in my nature."

"You'll have to learn how to speak up then. What prompted him to say that to you?"

Serenity hesitated. "Lord Carter was showing me affection. He just touched my cheek and my ear, but I didn't tell him to stop."

"Theron was jealous?"

"He seemed more upset that I didn't tell Lord Carter to stop," she replied. "He knew it made me uncomfortable and meant nothing to me. He just wanted me to dismiss Lord Carter."

"He really thinks that would have stopped Lord Carter? Most men think 'no' means 'yes'," Amira said leaning back on the steps. She crossed her ankles and stretched her body out, leaning back on her elbows. "I don't even know if Theron telling him off would stop him. Has he said anything since?"

"Lord Carter?" Serenity asked. "No, I haven't seen him."

"Well, heads up," Amira said. "Here he comes."

Serenity looked up across the basin to see Lord Carter descending the stairs. He was dressed in his handsome black armor. Serenity wondered if he was leaving. She met his scarlet red eyes as he walked across the basin to the women. Suddenly, Serenity felt completely naked. He was staring straight at her as if he was only coming to the barracks to see her.

"Hello, Ladies," he said with a bow of his head. "I've come to bid you both farewell."

"You're leaving?" Amira said surprised as she stood up. She brushed her ponytail over her shoulder. "I thought you would at least stay for the ball."

"My King has called me back to Carna," Lord Carter said softly. "Something has come up."

"I hope everything is alright," Serenity said politely.

"It will be," he said looking at her with smiling eyes. "Amira, I wonder if I could have a word with Serenity?"

Amira hesitated as she looked at Serenity, who nodded. "Alright. We're done for today."

She picked up her belongings and moved away from the two without a word. Serenity watched as she walked away before looking at Lord Carter with raised eyebrows.

"Something the matter?"

She stood up, picking up her torn shirt and pulled it over her head. When she looked up, Lord Carter had stepped even closer to her.

"I was hoping you would come with me?"

"To Carna?" Serenity said shocked. "Why the hell would I do that?"

Lord Carter didn't seem surprised by her question. "I wanted to introduce you to some birds of prey. I think the Tigerians releasing your kind is the first step to your true freedom. Your species needs to see each other and heal."

Serenity stepped back from Lord Carter, but he hooked her waist with his arm, holding her firmly against him. Serenity's skin tingled with discomfort and she glared up at Lord Carter. He didn't seem to mind her expression. Suddenly, he was not the charming gentleman that Serenity had thought he was before. He was a predator holding her against her will like so many men before him had. He didn't mind her glare because he didn't care. He wanted to hold her, so he would, whether she liked it or not. Her heart began to race as adrenaline pumped in her veins. She murdered the last man who held her forcefully against her will.

"Please release me," she said in a low whisper.

"Do you want me to, or does the King?"

Serenity lifted her chin, still glaring. "I asked you to release me. I will not ask again."

Lord Carter slowly let go of her, his hand dragged on the skin of her waist slowly. Serenity continued to glare at him.

"My King will be very disappointed that you are not joining me."

"Why?"

"He wants to offer you a place in Carna," he said. "He thinks you will be well received there and can bring the birds of prey back into the trade agreements with my country."

Serenity frowned and shook her head. Nothing Lord Carter was saying made any sense.

"Did you read some history books?"

"Yes," Serenity nodded as she peered at Lord Carter.

"And?"

"Birds of prey enslaved and sold weaker bird species off as a means of controlling their population," Serenity shrugged. She didn't fully understand why Theron thought that bit of history would hurt her either, but she hadn't discussed it with him since reading the books he had given her.

Lord Carter smirked and nodded. "Who gave you those books? The King?"

"Yes," Serenity replied with a scowl. What was Lord Carter getting at?

"It had nothing to do with your population," he laughed as if it was ridiculous. "Birds of prey were threatened by your magic, particularly the magic of doves. They killed most of the doves, didn't bother enslaving them."

Serenity stomach did a flip. "Why would the magic of doves threaten birds of prey?"

"Their magic and existence relies on violence and war," Lord Carter said easily. "Your magic has the power to end all of that; to keep them under control and in line. They wanted you out of the way."

"So, your King wants me to come to his court to keep the birds of prey in line?"

"He was hoping you would persuade them to play nicer."

"Well," Serenity said rolling her shoulders back and standing up straight. "My magic is dormant. I can barely use it as no one was there to teach me how to. It is not my job to put the birds of prey in their place—"

"—actually, Serenity, it is," Lord Carter said quickly with a glare.

Serenity didn't say anything because the sound of rushed footsteps could be heard coming down the steps behind Lord Carter. He turned as she peered over his shoulder to see Amira moving quickly towards them.

"Serenity, the King is asking for you," she said. She had a worried expression on her face, which seemed relieved when she met Serenity's blue gaze.

"Alright," Serenity nodded. "I hope you have a safe journey home, Lord Carter."

He grabbed her arm before she could walk by him.

"Your destiny will catch up to you," Lord Carter advised. Serenity slipped her arm out of his grasp and bowed her head. She didn't say anything else as she walked by Amira, who was staring at Lord Carter with high eyebrows.

Serenity didn't let a breath escape her lips until she was in the corridor outside of the basin. She frowned and paced in the hall for a moment, waiting for Amira to catch up to her.

"What was that about?" Amira asked. Serenity frowned as she brushed her hair out of her face.

"Did you know that my kind were enslaved by birds of prey?"

Amira nodded. "Yes," she whispered. "I thought that was common knowledge…"

"Not to birds, it isn't," Serenity hissed. Amira frowned with apologetic eyes.

"I'm sorry," she said quickly. "I don't see a difference between us…I forget sometimes that your experience and education were different than mine."

Serenity nodded. She bit her bottom lip. "Where is the King?"

"In his study," Amira said noting the change of subject. "He is sending me back to Allur."

"Did something happen?"

"Lord Carter isn't being called home, he is being removed from the Den," Amira responded as they made their way down the corridor towards the opposite side of the Den.

"Why?"

"Theron thinks he is responsible for destroying your bedchamber."

Serenity glanced at Amira with surprise and alarm. Amira was frowning deeply, but didn't say anything else. The two women moved swiftly in silence, heading for the private study.