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When he tried to kick me, I backed out but tripped over my own feet. I stumbled, but Ren was right there, an arm around my waist, stopping me from falling.
I was breathing hard, and his face was close to mine. The connection opened between us as if the block had never been there.
I knew what he was feeling. I knew what he was thinking.
He set me on my feet and attacked again, but this time, I knew where he was going to be. I blocked it and countered, but Ren knew what I was thinking, too. We moved around each other, fighting, but it had become a dance. We were in sync, perfectly connected, and neither of us could land a single blow.
Finally, Ren stopped. He put his hands on his hips, breathing hard.
“That was incredible,” he said. “Did you feel that?”
He stepped closer to me. I nodded.
Ren studied my face, his eyes on my lips. I wanted him to kiss me. I wanted him to hold me—to touch me. I wanted him to do anything his imagination could come up with.
Things I had no business wanting from him.
Ren leaned a little closer and lifted his hand. It hovered over my skin, and I ached for his touch. He was about to speak when the door to the warrior’s quarters banged open and broke the spell.
Ren stepped back and turned.
“What is it?” he asked.
A male in dark robes and golden chains around his neck came to us. His hair was neatly combed to the side, and his dark robes were finely embroidered with silver thread.
“I’m sorry to bother you, Rainier,” he said.
“It’s fine,” Ren said and glanced at me. “Ellie, this is Leander, one of my advisors. Leander, this is Ellie.”
“It’s nice to meet you, Leander,” I said. I faced Ren. “I’ll leave you now, so you can speak to your advisor in private.”
“No, it’s all right,” Leander said. “It’s best if you know, being a warrior that will fight for King Rainier’s protection.” He paused, then faced Ren. “There is a hunter in Jasfin coming for you.”
“How do you know?” Ren asked, frowning.
“We felt Conjurite energy in the forest when we were out this morning,” the advisor said.
Ren’s frown deepened. “A hunter from Palgia.”
The advisor nodded. “That’s what we believe. We have taken extra measures for your safety but believe it’s necessary for you to know.”
“It was right to tell me,” Ren said. “But a part of me wants to drop the security so that asshole can come in and we can handle it and get it done with.”
“That might not be the best course of action,” Leander said carefully.
“I know, I know.” Ren put his hands on his hips. I couldn’t feel him at all now. He’d blocked himself off completely, but he looked troubled…and angry.
“I’m tired of this, and it hasn’t even started,” he said. “We’ll get this taken care of. Let me know if there are any changes. Anything at all.”
The advisor bowed and left the training arena.
Ren looked at me, his eyes troubled. We were alone again, but the spell had been broken, and the news of a hunter from Palgia coming here to kill him had spoiled the mood.
I wanted to ask him about the hunter. I wanted to know what he was thinking, but he’d shut me out.
“That’s it for training today,” Ren said. His mind was already on work, and his voice was empty. “You can go and clean up for lunch. Well done, your skills are coming along nicely.”
He walked away. It gutted me. He was so formal now, when we’d been so close. And, the way we’d fought together…
