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Chapter twelve

I awoke the next morning to the sounds of everyone else talking outside my tent.

Getting up, the ache in my ribs had me immediately regretting the idea of wearing my armor corset to sleep.

But it in no way compared to the soreness that seized the muscles in my back, abdomen, hips and legs from yesterday’s travel.

Taking of my corset provided some relief while I unbound my hair from the braid that had become frizzy overnight.

My long hair fell down in thick curls that only accentuated the color in the light that poured in through the fabric of the tent.

After eating one of the apples I'd packed, I begrudgingly put the armor back on and left.

Outside, Loughlan and Nessy sat at the fire in discussion, while Rita and Calin trained together. Joining the latter two, I watched each of their techniques.

They were both good, very good, but I have seen fighters who could practically fight with their eyes closed. The lieutenants each had a habit of being impatient. Just as I made the realization, Rita struck, and Calin got the upper hand as her body became thrown off balance slightly.

“You’re not taking your time,” I corrected.

Rita looked over at me, wiping her brow with the back of her wrist as she caught her breath from the blow. “What are you talking about?”

“If you had waited another ten seconds, Calin would have made his move, and you could have gotten the upper hand.”

“How did you know I was about to make a move?” Calin inquired with an accusatory gaze.

“Your body leaned forward when you started to get impatient from waiting,” I divulged. “Don’t get me wrong, you don’t have to wait for your opponent to make every move, but you do have to make sure your body is balanced at all times.”

“Say’s the small human who can’t balance herself on a horse,” Rita muttered, clearly offended.

I went to give a retort but was interrupted by a voice behind me, “Damn, you watch them for a few minutes and you’re already correcting some of my best fighters,” Nickolai said with a hint of respect in his voice. A spark glinted in his eye, “Care to show them how it’s done?”

This was going to be a disaster. I was in no shape to fight after waking up, feeling like I had been crushed between two boulders, but there was no way I was going to pass up this opportunity.

“As long as you are prepared to lose.”

Nickolai stepped into the muddy area that Rita and Calin had chosen for their sparring spot while I gathered my hair back, the mist in my stomach flaring to life.

I had to put a mental grip around it to keep from letting it take over completely.

I couldn't afford to make a mistake. Not today. And definitely not with him.

As soon as I took the few steps forward, we began to circle one another. It became a challenging to see who would make the first move. A battle between his stubbornness and mine.

After what felt like forever before someone finally grumbled, “Sometime today.”

Nickolai turned his head to glare at them, and I made my move.

Charging at him, I twisted to launch a kick at his face with the heel of my left foot.

He caught my leg, like I thought he would, allowing me to use his grip and my other leg to pushed off the ground.

I twirled myself back in the opposite direction, the weight of my body suddenly being held up only by his hand, which pulled him to the ground.

He let go of my leg to catch his fall, and I broke my own fall with a roll before promptly getting back up.

I couldn’t help the wicked smile that split my face as I took in his reaction—glaring at me with immense disdain as he too got back on his feet.

Mud now coated both of us and something told me that the pain I had been feeling before would be much worse after this was done.

But I didn't care. Even if I lost, it would all be worth it for that look.

Beside us, I could make out Nessy whistling and clapping, but I kept my focus on Nickolai.

We both made our next assault at the same time, each of us trying to get the upper hand but failing.

My first attack had the element of surprise, but now we were each matching each other, his strength against my speed.

I threw a punch at him, and he dodged it, returning with his own blow that struck.

I felt the bone of his elbow collide with with my cheekbone with enough force that could easily shatter a window.

I stepped back—the ringing in my ear disorienting me.

He is dead.

Shaking off the pain and shock of him actually hitting me—I narrowed my eyes at him and ran, this time using his neck to swing my body around, the momentum pulling him to the ground once more.

He twisted as our bodies barreled to the ground, landing on top of me—pinning me beneath him.

Nickolai held an arm over my throat, showing that he at last got the upper hand.

I stared into his, eyes inches from mine, our heavy breaths mixing between us.

The feeling of his body crushing mine sent heat racing to my center.

His overwhelming smell of leather, with a hint of pine, madea slow, methodical throb begin beneath my stomach which had me wanting to place my lips on his, but the rational part of me didn’t allow it.

In the next moment, I watched his green eyes change from desire to rage and pain as he sucked in a breath.

He lurched off of me and glared down at the glinting gold handle of my new dagger that protruded from him.

Nickolai cursed as he pulled it free and growled, “I’ll make you regret that, Tiny,” before tossing the dagger on the ground in my direction and stalking away.

I was still out of breath, but I looked at the shocked faces focused on me, settling on Rita and Calin’s.

Motioning to the ground that Nickolai and I were just on, I huffed, “Balance.” I couldn’t get out more than that as I grabbed my dagger and went back to my tent.

My heavy breathing and the pain that radiated through my face giving me a reminder that I needed to train more.

—

His hand cradled my face as we looked into each other's eyes. Our questioning was forgotten as we became lost in the look. I couldn’t control my body as it reacted to his laugh, or the wanting in his eyes when he looked at me.

In one second we were sitting across from each other at the table, scarfing down bread, and then in the next I was in his lap.

My hands fisted in his thick, long hair as my mouth quickly crashed down upon his.

It immediately opened at the request of my tongue.

All the warnings I had heard earlier were completely gone.

Each glance and brisk touch built up to this moment, where any resolve I had shattered into a million pieces, forming into one thought.

I need more of him.

From the savageness that took over the initial soft caresses on my body, it was clear he had the same thought.

The fondling turned into wandering touches that traveled up under my tunic.

His large fingers splayed on my waist, sending a full-body shiver through me as they glided up, higher and higher. Nerves twisted within my stomach.

Was this too soon?

The simple black bra containing me was yanked down in the next second, dismissing the thoughts from my mind as my breasts spilled over the cups, nipples hardening.

The look on his face had me grabbing the hem of my tunic—removing it to save it from being ripped off. I couldn’t afford to buy another.

My thoughts were racing—I’d never kissed a man before today, let alone been half-naked in front of one.

And for it to be a man like Nickolai, who wasn’t only handsome but in a different category entirely, was bizarre.

Not to mention, there was a connection between us that had me wanting to ravage every inch of his body, every single second I was near him.

His gaze and hands wandered over my bare skin, a deep rumble escaping him. “You’re beautiful,” he declared as his green eyes met my blue ones.

Our mouths met again, hunger settling while we soaked up each other's touch and taste.

Running my fingers up the muscles on his stomach—careful to avoid his chest—they drifted even further to his shoulders.

We were a mix of warm breath and bare skin that sent my hips involuntarily grinding against his growing bulge.

Both of us let out a noise in delight at the feeling, even as my stomach flipped in anticipation. This behavior was so unlike me, but I got a sense that this wasn’t a common thing for him as well.

His hands found my waist, pushing me away slightly, and I froze. It felt like a bucket of cold water was suddenly dumped on me. Anxiety began working its way into my stomach, and the thought that he might not want this took hold of me.With my brows furrowing, I leaned back.

A concerned expression painted his features while he searched my face. “Are you sure about this?” Relief instantly washed over me at the realization that he was worried I might be the one who didn’t want this.

“Yes,” I panted, my voice hoarse with desire. The hurried pace from earlier returned as he grabbed the back of my neck, bringing my lips back to his. I felt gravity take hold of me as he stood, my legs instinctively locking around his hips.

From the feeling of the cool, crisp blankets meeting my back, I knew where he carried me.

Nickolai stood, the wall of my bedroom behind him as his eyes roaming over my body with eagerness.

I watched his fingers move to the laces of his pants while his focus remained solely on me.

My racing heart picked up speed at the reality that I was about to see him naked.