“I didn't ask for a lesson, Captain,” I rasped.
“Get out of my hold, Zara,” he said, his voice dropping to a soft, commanding whisper. The way he said my name made mypulse quicken. “Focus. Look for weak spots and exploit them,” he said almost encouragingly, though the underlying challenge remained clear.
I thrashed again, frustrated at this brute of a man. I took a few deep breaths in an attempt to calm my mind and think properly. His smugness made me want to punch him. I concentrated, searching for signs of weakness, and after a moment, I found one. Deliberately, I shifted my weight and swept out my arms as I threw myself forward. I rolled and used my momentum to throw him off me, finally breaking free of his hold.
Scrambling to my feet, I swung my arm back, aiming to land a punch. But Jeremy was already a step ahead. He had also gotten to his feet quickly and had anticipated my move. Before my fist could make contact with his stupid, smug face, he had me flat on my back again on the mat.
He stood over me, his imposing figure casting a shadow. His blonde hair fell over his face as he looked down at me, and his eyes glowed with satisfaction at his win. “Feisty,” Jeremy said, his eyes twinkling. “I’ll ensure I’m here early enough for you tomorrow, Princess.” He winked, his grin widening as he bent down to retrieve his shirt. I shot him an icy stare, but Jeremy only chuckled, clearly unfazed. He turned his back to me and walked off the mat, leaving the training grounds without a second glance.
I huffed in irritation. I really didn’t like that guy.
I gathered my things and stormed through the castle toward my room. Servants and guards blurred in my peripheral as I went, my steps fueled by anger. Who did he think he was?
The second I reached my door, I flung it open, the heavy wood slamming against the stone wall with a loud thud. Out of nowhere, someone let out a piercing shriek that sent my heart plummeting into my stomach. Without thinking, I shrieked inresponse, and our twin screams reverberated off the stone walls in a chaotic echo.
Standing frozen in the middle of my room was Cynthia, her hand pressed to her chest, the other clutching her forehead as she stared at me with wide, panicked eyes.
I had forgotten I told her to meet me here after training, and our gazes locked, our screams dying away as we stared at each other. My lips twitched, and we fell into a fit of laughter as we realized what had just happened.
The commotion had alerted nearby guards, who now charged down the corridor toward me, weapons drawn, ready for an attack.
It took me a moment to catch my breath and explain the situation, but even after that, the guards remained unconvinced. They swept their eyes over my room and down the hallway, determined to find a threat. Eventually, they retreated to their posts, their expressions filled with annoyance.
After I closed the door behind me, I looked around and saw Cynthia with her face in her hands, shaking as she tried to hold back her laughter.
“Well, that drastically changed my mood,” I said, a grin breaking through as I fought to keep from laughing.
“Why did you storm in here like that?” Cynthia asked, her voice still breathy from amusement. “Scared me half to death.”
“The new captain,” I said, crossing my arms tightly across my chest, the memory of his smug grin flashing in my mind.
Cynthia raised an eyebrow, her lips curving into a wicked grin. “Is he everything the court ladies say he is?” she teased, clearly enjoying my frustration.
I huffed a laugh. In the chaos of explaining everything that had happened last night, I forgot to mention the interaction with my father and the captain at dinner. I quickly recapped the night before, then dove into this morning’s encounter.
“So… did you see him shirtless?” Cynthia asked eagerly, leaning in with a mischievous twinkle in her eyes.
I leaned down and swatted her playfully. “Cynthia!”
“What?!” she protested, barely containing her excitement. “Did you?”
“Yes, but that’s not the point.” I groaned, my cheeks flushing at the memory of his bare chest. “He’s arrogant, controlling, and cocky.”
“Mmm,” Cynthia said, her grin widening. “So… your type?”
I gave her another playful smack, but she just laughed. “Sounds to me like he’s doing his job, and you’re sexually frustrated.”
I shot her an incredulous look. “I am not sexually frustrated,” I said, heat rushing to my cheeks as I tried to brush off her accusation.
“Zara,” Cynthia said, her voice teasing. “I’m your best friend. I know exactly how long it’s been.” She gave me a pointed stare. “And now you’ve got not one, but two men taking their shirts off in front of you. If that’s not sexually frustrating, I don’t know what is.”
She grinned, and my lips twitched, fighting another smile. “Fine, maybe I am. But that doesn’t change the fact that he is a prick,” I said matter-of-factly.
“Fair enough.” Cynthia laughed, clearly satisfied with her victory. “But let’s be honest, most men are, anyway.”
I rolled my eyes. “I guess I’m not being completely fair,” I admitted reluctantly. “He is doing his job.”
Cynthia smiled at me. “Alright, alright, change of subject! Let’s see this surprise!”
