Promises

24. The Only Thing Hurt Is My Pride

Bella Pleasant kicked out, her boot smashing into the punching bag. Her brow was creased in concentration, and she licked her lips, only just noticing how dry they were. She went through the movements in her head, glimpsing Tanith watching her from the doorway. She blinked once, then flipped her body and kicked at the bag. She landed on her arse once again and sighed in frustration. Tanith gave her a sympathetic look, before walking over and kneeling in front of her.

"Are you alright?" She asked.

"Yes," Bella mumbled. "The only thing hurt is my pride." She got to her feet, but kept her head down. Unconsciously, she pulled down her sleeve further.

Tanith narrowed her eyes curiously. "Something bothering you, Hun?"

Bella shook her head. "No, I'm fine," she replied. "Just let me try that again."

The girl had grown up fast, training under Tanith's influence with the help from Ghastly. Sophie had gotten the hang of things fairly quickly, but with Bella, it was taking more time. Her face resembled Valkyrie's perfect features and an honest expression, though her eyes were as dark as her hair, which was almost pitch black.

Tanith had noticed the dullness in her eyes lately. She never smiled, she always had the same permanent frown on her face. Bella went back to attacking the punching bag, a fierce determination coursing through her.  Her strikes were sharp and precise, and she punched using her elbows, not her knuckles, just as she'd been taught. She'd centred herself so that all the power came from the core of her body, and Tanith was proud of her. She reminded the blonde swordlady of Valkyrie. Her fighting style was so similar to that of her mothers, and now that she was twelve, her features were almost exactly the same.

Aibhlinn Firinne moved into the training rooms, Ghastly and Sophie following her.

"Take a break," Tanith told Bella, moving over to her husband and daughter.

Bella sighed, but stepped back, watching the punching bag swing back and forth, battered from her assault. She wiped the sweat from her brow and turned to face the others. Aibhlinn was watching her, a grin on her flawless face. Sophie had forced a smile, but Bella saw right through it.

"You're improving," Aibhlinn murmured, moving over to her best friend.

Bella shrugged, grabbing her water bottle from the bench. "I've been training more often." She let the cool water run down her dry and scratchy throat, sighing contently.

"Yes, I can see that," the older girl smiled, her English accent rolling off her tongue smoothly.

Bella sighed again, placing the water bottle back down. "Sorry I blew you off before."

"Nah, it's all good," Aibhlinn grinned, ruffling her friend's hair. "I knew you were busy."

She forced a smile. "Yeah."