Page 4 of Journey to the Elderoak (Daughter of the Earth #2)

The crowd cheered, not caring that Pax was being easy on her, they just wanted a fight.

He grinned as he hopped to his feet, ready to go again.

Ava darted forward and tried to land a punch on his side, but he grasped her wrist and twisted it against her back, moving behind her again.

She winced as her arm screamed in pain, but ignored it, trying to decide on her next move.

“Pax…” Casimir growled from the sidelines.

Pax loosened his hold and Ava stomped on his foot, causing him to release her arm. She pushed herself away and whirled toward Casimir.

“Keep your mouth shut and don’t distract me,” she snapped, then faced Pax again.

The crowd cheered.

“You heard her, general,” said one of the sailors. “Princess says stop interfering.”

Casimir grumbled as she prepared for the next move. Pax lunged and Ava tried to dart away, but he grabbed her legs and yanked them out from under her. She landed on her back with a thud, leaving her breathless.

“Shit,” she wheezed.

The captain started counting to ten, but Ava wasn’t ready to concede. Sailors shouted, “Get up! Get up! Get up!”

Zeph’s voice cut through the noise, “It’s not over yet, Ava!”

Just as Gisela made it to six, she was on her feet again.

Pax advanced toward her, but this time she ducked at the last second and threw herself on the ground, crawling in between his legs.

Before he had a chance to whirl around, she jumped on his back and wrapped an arm around his neck, putting him in a headlock.

She wrapped her legs around his torso, digging her heels into his ribs. He yelped at the pressure and the crowd went wild, chanting, “princess!” Confidence soared as she jammed her heels into his ribs.

“Ouch, you little shit,” he said as she repeated her actions.

He spun around, trying to loosen her hold but she pulled her arm tighter and kicked him as hard as she could. Grunting, he yanked her arm down so fiercely, she cried out as he leaned over and threw her over his shoulder.

“Fuck!” she yelled as she was flipped onto her back and landed on the mat.

She gasped, trying to catch her breath.

Gisela counted to ten and Pax was declared the winner, cheers of the crowd echoing in the night. He approached and held out his hand. She grasped it and let him pull her up, still panting.

“Did I hurt you?”

“I’ll be sore, but I’m fine,” she croaked.

Relief washed over his face. “Great job.”

Ava made her way to Casimir as Pax picked the next two to fight. His arms were still crossed, and he was holding her tunic as she took her place next to him, watching the next round.

“You should put your shirt back on,” he whispered.

“Why? I’m too hot and sweaty right now,” she said as she watched two sailors square off.

“Because it’s very distracting,” he mumbled under his breath.

“None of the sailors are even looking at me. They’re quite respectful. So, who’s getting distracted?”

He edged closer to her and leaned in. “Me.”

A shiver went down Ava’s spine as she glanced at him, but he had straightened out and was watching the fight as if he’d said nothing.

She moved closer, standing in front of him, and leaned back so her bare shoulder and upper back brushed against his shirtless chest. He tensed at her touch and she could have sworn he stepped forward a little.

“Maybe I won’t put it back on then,” she whispered.

A low rumble vibrated in his chest but he remained quiet as they watched the fight end after one of the participants passed out from too long of a choke hold. The game finished with two more matches and both of them inched closer to each other over the course of the night.

There was something about this trip; something that made her want more connection with him.

Maybe it was the ease of being around the sailors, their casual nature allowing her to feel less proper and more normal.

Or maybe it was being somewhere different than Mosshaven.

A new routine not involving the obstacle course which constantly taunted her.

It was now the final duel and Ava was barely able to pay attention, leaning almost her entire weight against Casimir. His hand moved to her shoulder and his thumb traced slow circles on the back of her neck, causing her to shudder.

“Are you cold, princess?” he asked, lips brushing the edge of her ear.

“No.”

“Hmm…” he said as his fingers brushed the side of her neck. “Am I making you nervous?”

Yes. “No,” she breathed.

“Liar.”

They remained quiet as the last fight ended. The crowd dispersed, everyone heading to their own sleeping quarters, and Casimir removed his hand from her neck.

“It’s late,” he said, handing over her shirt. “We need sleep.”

The ship was quieter now, the pitch-black sky painted with millions of stars. She put her tunic on. “I don’t think I’ll ever sleep with Raine in there. He talks in his sleep. And he’s a horrible bed hog. I shoved him and he didn’t even wake up.”

“He’s a heavy sleeper. ”

“You don’t say.”

“Come on.” He turned and headed to their cabin. “I’ll kick him out. You need sleep for tomorrow.”

She followed him across the deck, entering their room. Casimir marched to the bed, yanked the covers off and patted Raine’s face several times until he woke up.

“What’s going on? Are we under attack?” Raine scanned the room, confused.

“Get out,” Casimir ordered. “You’re keeping the princess awake.”

Raine stumbled out of bed, grabbed his shirt and boots and mumbled as he left the room, saying something about indecisive generals and interrupting his beauty sleep.

“Thanks,” said Ava, laughing.

Casimir turned around, his back facing her. “Change into your sleep clothes and get in bed.”

He walked to his pallet on the floor and made sure not to look her way as she changed. Once she was back in her nightgown, she climbed into bed and scooted under the covers as Casimir made himself comfortable on the floor.

“Did you really threaten to break Pax’s arm and make him clean the dungeons if he hurt me?” she asked, staring at the ceiling.

“Yes.”

“Why?”

“No more questions, princess.” Casimir rolled over. “Goodnight.”