No matter how many bodies clustered shoulder to shoulder, they all gave Theodon a wide berth.
“This place was so empty that first night,” she commented.
“Half were stationed throughout the mountain range, the other half were on the training field. We may live underground, but much of our time is spent above. The only reason we were even down here when you woke up was to keep an eye on you.”
She frowned. She was an adult, and everyone around her treated her like a troublesome child that needed constant observation.
The doors of the countless rooms were wide open. Firelight lined the halls, emanating from each individual space. There were so many faces, so many voices this morning—was it even morning? She had no clue. This whole underground concept was messing with her internal clock.
The chatter of soldiers dimmed as they took a pass down a dark alley that ended in a large cave with a drop-off, which appeared bottomless. She leaned downward, peering closely into the void. There was nothing there but endless black.
“Don’t get too close, that’s why we stopped using this area to train. There was a sinkhole hidden beneath the ground.”
She took multiple hurried steps backward, unnerved that the ground beneath her could just collapse into nothing.
“Then why are we here?”
He stretched his neck back and forth. “Because I’m not taking you aboveground until I know what you can do. Now get in the center.”
She ignored him, staring into that endless abyss. She had asked for this, but his whole attitude made her teeth grate.
“Do you enjoy hearing me talk to myself?” he growled.
“Hm?” She didn’t even glance in his direction.
“When I give an order, I expect you to follow.”
She turned to see him in the center of the cave, tapping his boot on the ground with impatience.
“I am a princess, not a pet.”
“I am well aware. A pet would listen when its trainer gives a command.”
She charged right up until she was staring him in the face. Their height difference made it difficult to be intimidating, but she wouldn’t let him speak to her that way.
“You are no captain of mine,Theodon Wrenn. You say you need me? Fine, I’m here. But don’t think for a second I have to answer to you or come when you call.”
He let her see his teeth. “Everyone under this mountain answers to me if they want to stay alive.”
“I’m not likeeveryoneunder this mountain, you said it yourself. I’d rather have someone hurl me into that sinkhole than have to obey a single one of your commands.”
She watched his throat bob like he was swallowing his rage. “Should I hurl you down there now? Save us both the trouble?”
She drew back to strike him.
With smooth precision, he captured her wrist before her slap could land.
“I’ve seen this move already. Want to attempt another?”
She shot him an icy glare. His hand felt so large wrapped around her wrist, engulfing almost half her forearm, his skin warm and rough.
With an aggravated grunt, she hurled her knee upward into his groin. He caught her leg between his thighs, squeezing so she couldn’t connect with her intended target.
She breathed heavily, staring up at him, their bodies separated by mere fabric.
“Are you done?” He leaned into her neck, an action she didn’t expect from him. “Or would you like to keep going?” he asked softly. His eyes were intently fixed on hers, his long hair feathering around her shoulder.
She inhaled that smell of fallen rain as his words danced past her ear. Her legs straddled one of his thighs in this position. Warmth flooded her body, gravitating toward her center.
