to me when he’s not
even here? How can I not think of fucking? And I hate the word,
though it doesn’t matter because that word is exactly what runs
through my mind.
I back away from the looking glass and
swing the blade. The thrill of unencumbered movement is
intoxicating. I love the new garments even though I’m embarrassed
to wear them. The dragon said he would train me. No man in my
village would dare. Yes, because I am a bride, but also because
women are never trained in the ways of war. Each day I went
hunting, I would travel at least two hours so no one would see me.
I had to train in order to place food on our table and also to kill
the dragon. Now I have no reason to practice with a blade. I want
to, though. I crave learning everything about properly using a
sword.
I hear a noise and instantly raise my
arm as I turn.
He stands in the doorway, his mouth
hanging open. It’s the perfect opportunity to cleave his head from
his shoulders, and my arm is heading downward. I stop the swing.
His death is no longer what I want. Acasia’s story took away my
bloodlust and I see the dragon in a very different light. That
doesn’t mean I must like it, though. Looking at him with my mouth
watering, I know exactly what I do want.
He’s dressed in tight, black, linen
pants that define the muscled curves of his thighs and legs. His
white shirt has billowing sleeves that gather just above his
wrists. Suddenly, I’m horribly embarrassed that he sees me dressed
in so little. I cross my hands over my breasts with the sword held
downward.
“ You’re incredible,” he
whispers. I see lust in his eyes.
I purposely add a touch of ire to my
voice. “I’m nearly naked.”
His eyes make another sweep over my
body. “Nonsense. This outfit suits you perfectly.”
I shake my head. “I’m a bride. I can’t
be seen this way.”
His eyes flash with silver. “You’re my
bride and you can be seen how ever I choose. What of the arm
guards? Do you not like them?”
Two additional pieces of leather rest
on the bed. “I wasn’t sure what they are.”
He turns, walks to the bed, and picks
them up. “Come here and I will help secure them.”
Why should I even care? He’s right. I
must wear what he dictates. With the material caressing my skin,
this command goes down easier than any of the others. I go to where
he stands and place one arm out. He buckles the leather beginning
at my wrist. His fingers whisper across my skin and the fluttering
is back in my belly. He smells good too. It’s hard to think about
anything but what his body will feel like against mine. I’m
hopeless.
There are thin strips that circle my
arm and tie at the top. “What are these for?” I can’t help
asking.
He removes a sheath with a small knife
from his hip and slides it into the leather ties of the arm guards.
“Several will fit comfortably and won’t inhibit your movement.
Never rely on one weapon; you always want backup.”
His lesson intrigues me so much I
forget I’m all but naked. Then he turns me to the side and his
breath runs across my shoulders through my hair. Suddenly, I feel
every bit of my unclothed state. He doesn’t seem to notice the
goose bumps that pepper my skin as he attaches the other arm
guard.
Surprising me, he grabs my hair and
ties it tightly at my nape with a small piece of leather. I watch
as he does the same to his own.
He steps back. “You have more than one
hidden weapon,” he whispers as his eyes scan my body.
I have no idea what he’s talking
about.
“ I will take you to the
armory chamber myself and help you decide on a weapon that suits
you.”
Something is wrong with this picture.
He’s an entirely different being than he was the day before. He
pulls me toward the door and I dig my new boots into the wood
beneath my feet. “Is this a trick?”
His head goes back and laughter fills
the room. He wipes a tear from the corner of his eye when he
finally controls himself. “Training you will
even here? How can I not think of fucking? And I hate the word,
though it doesn’t matter because that word is exactly what runs
through my mind.
I back away from the looking glass and
swing the blade. The thrill of unencumbered movement is
intoxicating. I love the new garments even though I’m embarrassed
to wear them. The dragon said he would train me. No man in my
village would dare. Yes, because I am a bride, but also because
women are never trained in the ways of war. Each day I went
hunting, I would travel at least two hours so no one would see me.
I had to train in order to place food on our table and also to kill
the dragon. Now I have no reason to practice with a blade. I want
to, though. I crave learning everything about properly using a
sword.
I hear a noise and instantly raise my
arm as I turn.
He stands in the doorway, his mouth
hanging open. It’s the perfect opportunity to cleave his head from
his shoulders, and my arm is heading downward. I stop the swing.
His death is no longer what I want. Acasia’s story took away my
bloodlust and I see the dragon in a very different light. That
doesn’t mean I must like it, though. Looking at him with my mouth
watering, I know exactly what I do want.
He’s dressed in tight, black, linen
pants that define the muscled curves of his thighs and legs. His
white shirt has billowing sleeves that gather just above his
wrists. Suddenly, I’m horribly embarrassed that he sees me dressed
in so little. I cross my hands over my breasts with the sword held
downward.
“ You’re incredible,” he
whispers. I see lust in his eyes.
I purposely add a touch of ire to my
voice. “I’m nearly naked.”
His eyes make another sweep over my
body. “Nonsense. This outfit suits you perfectly.”
I shake my head. “I’m a bride. I can’t
be seen this way.”
His eyes flash with silver. “You’re my
bride and you can be seen how ever I choose. What of the arm
guards? Do you not like them?”
Two additional pieces of leather rest
on the bed. “I wasn’t sure what they are.”
He turns, walks to the bed, and picks
them up. “Come here and I will help secure them.”
Why should I even care? He’s right. I
must wear what he dictates. With the material caressing my skin,
this command goes down easier than any of the others. I go to where
he stands and place one arm out. He buckles the leather beginning
at my wrist. His fingers whisper across my skin and the fluttering
is back in my belly. He smells good too. It’s hard to think about
anything but what his body will feel like against mine. I’m
hopeless.
There are thin strips that circle my
arm and tie at the top. “What are these for?” I can’t help
asking.
He removes a sheath with a small knife
from his hip and slides it into the leather ties of the arm guards.
“Several will fit comfortably and won’t inhibit your movement.
Never rely on one weapon; you always want backup.”
His lesson intrigues me so much I
forget I’m all but naked. Then he turns me to the side and his
breath runs across my shoulders through my hair. Suddenly, I feel
every bit of my unclothed state. He doesn’t seem to notice the
goose bumps that pepper my skin as he attaches the other arm
guard.
Surprising me, he grabs my hair and
ties it tightly at my nape with a small piece of leather. I watch
as he does the same to his own.
He steps back. “You have more than one
hidden weapon,” he whispers as his eyes scan my body.
I have no idea what he’s talking
about.
“ I will take you to the
armory chamber myself and help you decide on a weapon that suits
you.”
Something is wrong with this picture.
He’s an entirely different being than he was the day before. He
pulls me toward the door and I dig my new boots into the wood
beneath my feet. “Is this a trick?”
His head goes back and laughter fills
the room. He wipes a tear from the corner of his eye when he
finally controls himself. “Training you will
Similar Books
