15. Zarios

Chapter fifteen

We loaded up and readied to head out. The carriage was prepared as it was before, and we were loaded into it like cattle. I again felt too close to her, but somehow not close enough. That kiss had been replaying in my mind since last night, and the proximity made it almost impossible to stop the thoughts.

"How long does it take to get to Mertis?" she asked.

"This will take us two days," I said, irritation bleeding into my tone. I didn't want to be stuck in this cramped thing for two days. "We will stop at another inn before arriving there tomorrow. They're on the coast, so travel will take a bit longer."

Her eyes lit up when I said that. "The coast? That's exciting. I haven't been to the ocean since I was a child."

"Really?" I asked.

She nodded. "We took a trip once when I was so young I barely remember it. The ocean is very far from the capital, and for some reason, my mothers were anxious to take us back."

Her statement reminded me how untraveled she was. It made me think about the things we could do in Mertis. Though we were there for a reason, we would probably have a bit of down time we could use for exploring.

We moved through the woods efficiently. Luckily, we were having good weather and had been able to make good time. Sorcha fell asleep about an hour in, and I couldn't help but gaze at her longer than necessary.

A few hours in, we stopped for lunch. Kiaza found me as soon as we stopped with updates from Ashmore. It seemed everything was going well. This was the first time I'd been gone for an extended period of time, so I was a bit anxious. There had also been no new reported attacks. Though I was glad for that, it made me nervous that something else was being planned.

Once that was through, I ate a bowl of the stew and bread and I spotted Damyr chatting with some of the knights enjoying their lunches. He made a great general, he cared about those ranked lower than him, brought me issues to keep the battalions happy, and looked out for everyone. It made him a great friend to have on my team.

As I continued scanning the crowd, I caught Sorcha's boot on the other side of the carriage. I snuck up behind her and realized she was shining her dagger out of view of the others. I'd been feeling caught up in my feelings lately, and I knew the perfect way to remedy that.

I walked over, looming over her without even a glance up. "You know, Princess," I said, startling her from her thoughts, "a good knight is always aware of their surroundings. "

Her scowl was cuter than I'd ever admit. "Don't think your men are capable?" she asked, tucking it back into her boot.

"They are plenty. I'm just making a point."

"It's a silly one."

"Maybe some practice would help," I said.

She looked up at me, squinting at the sun outlining my frame. "You'd like to practice here?" she asked. "Where?"

"Follow my lead," I said. I held my hand out, and she took it easily. I pulled her up and to me. She followed suit and jumped into my arms. Though I wasn't expecting it, I caught her easily, cradling her body close. She caught onto my plan, nuzzling into my neck to the sound of cheers and whistles around us. Her touch was so warm and soft, one I'd began to crave.

I regained focus and carried her through the woods until we found a clearing, where I set her down and pulled her sword from my second sheath. "That should buy us some time," I said, voice hoarse.

"I would think so, just as long as no one comes to watch," she joked.

I knew no one would dare disrespect their Grand Clarak like that, but the thought of anyone seeing her naked made my blood boil.

"You okay over there?" she asked.

"Fine," I clipped. "Why?"

"You're just doing your irritated swish."

I blinked, trying to parse her meaning. "Irritated swish?" I parroted.

"Your tail," she said. "That's the way you move it when you're upset."

I scoffed. "You're mistaken."

She rolled her eyes. "Whatever you say." She must be lying, there's no way I do that.

Did I do that? I'd always been told I was hard to read, emotionless, a quality that made me a good Grand Clarak, but it seemed Sorcha could read me like a book.

She took her sword and turned it in her hands, getting herself comfortable with it again. I pulled mine from my back. The dark amberstine metal shone in the light. This was the sword my father gave me once I was large enough to wield it, and I'd carried it ever since.

"Some simple sparring? Careful of limbs since we're using real blades," she asked, shifting her feet to stand in a readied position.

"Bring it on, Princess."

We circled each other, trying to read the other's moves. Most minotaurs would swing first, relying on their brute strength in combat. Sorcha took a more thoughtful approach that made her a worthy opponent.

I took a few lazy swings, and she blocked them easily, returning the movements, warming us both up. After a few minutes, she went for a more deliberate swing to my side. I blocked it, but, unwilling to stay on defense, I attacked right back.

Then, the fight began in earnest. We traded blows evenly, neither of us quite gaining the upper hand. The sound of our clinking swords and the life in the forest were the only ones around us .

When sparring, it felt like the weight I carried was lifted from me, and for a few moments, I felt free, especially when I had such a competent opponent.

She faked a side swing and instead lunged towards me in the middle. I barely had time to block, noticing my off balanced response, she instantly swung again.

I knew she would move that way and dodged her, rolling my foot down and swinging her legs out from beneath her.

I pinned her quickly, knocking her sword away. We laid there for a moment, panting with exhaustion. Her cheeks were beautifully flushed, her arms held above her head.

"I think we've been here before," I said with a smirk.

Being pressed to her like this would never get old. Her eyes were wide, her lips slightly parted. Having her splayed under me like this had my thoughts turning back to the shower. The images I had back then flashed through my mind, each one dirtier than the last.

She huffed. "One day, I will throw you on your ass," she promised. She was breathless and flushed, and I wished it was for a different reason entirely.

"I look forward to it, Princess."