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Since I’ve stopped letting her into my bed, things have been off between us. It’s hard to go from an intense physical affair back to friends. The lingering arousal from my dreams of Theo and the sight of her this early has my body wanting to reconsider my decision. Desire ripples through me as I remember how good her body felt against mine.
Her gaze turns sour.
“Nyx sent me to fetch you for training. He said you’re late,” Kira says, crossing her arms in annoyance.
“I’m the queen. I’m never late. Everyone else is early,” I answer in a playful tone that doesn’t land. “Tell him I’ll be there shortly. I need to get dressed and grab breakfast,” I say with a huff.
She looks at me from head to toe.
“Hmm, not training in your undergarments today, then?”
I give her a sly smile.
“Wouldn’t that be a little distracting for you?” I wink and she blushes.
I can’t help but flirt with the stunning woman, even though I know I shouldn’t.
Kira turns on her heels to start back down the hall.
“I’ll let the general know. Oh, and , nice legs, my queen.” She winks over her shoulder at me before walking away.
I hurry to dress in a simple pair of black trousers and a loose-fitting black top. Pulling my hair up, I tie it tight with a cord at the top of my head. I slide on my boots and head out the door within minutes of Kira arriving at my quarters.
Stopping in the dining hall, I shove several strips of bacon into my mouth and grab two biscuits to eat on the go. Pyke must have seen me run in because he hands me a warm mug of coffee to take with me. I thank him graciously for everything and rush out of the hall.
I push through the back door of The Keep, following the stone walkway in the creek, and step through the arch into the training field. Several of the crew are already sparring, their grunts and the crash of wooden practice swords fill the space. The air, still crisp from night, mixes with the mist from the waterfalls, keeping the yard cool into the late morning.
The guard of Umbra is mine to command—my brigade of warriors and spies to mold and train. Asher has never needed guards or help in any way. The dark shadow power he wields allows him to be an army of one. A last resort in desperate times.
As my feet touch the damp grass, I feel eyes burning into me. I snap my head up and meet the gray eyes of my general and best friend, Nyx Davey. I can see him clenching his jaw from across the yard.
What did I do?
He can’t be that mad about me oversleeping. I had a long day yesterday.
I stare at him, shrug, and mouth, “What?” He walks toward me.
Great,just great.I love lectures in the morning.
His long legs eat up the distance between us at a rapid pace, and soon his towering figure is looming over me, blocking out the sun. I tilt my head back to look up at him properly. He’s over half a foot taller than me, and the jerk is invading my space, making it uncomfortable to match his glare.
His olive-toned skin has darkened over the summer months, complimenting his black hair and accentuating his gray-blue eyes. If he weren’t like a brother to me, maybe I would say he’s handsome, but thinking of him in that way makes me want to vomit.
“Nice of you to finally join us, Your Highness,” he says, crossing his arms and I swear I see him puff out his chest. I don’t even acknowledge it.
“What is with the attitude, General?” I bark back at him.
He is one of the only people who know my name. If he won’t use it, I won’t use his either. He uncrosses his arms and fists his hands at his sides.
“You’re late, Lily,” his words are clipped.
He can’t really be mad at me for this right now.
“Seriously, Nyx? I traveled the entire day yesterday trying to make it back home. Sorry if that took a lot out of me and I overslept,” I reply, taking a step back and trying to get distance from him, but he follows my step, remaining far too close.
“Besides, last time I checked,” I look around the yard with exaggerated movement, “I’m the queen and the most lethal warrior in all of Umbra. Gods, in all of Omnia! I think one day of missed training won’t ruin me.”
His eyes narrow into slits and he appears to be grinding his teeth.
