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Chapter 12

Chapter

Twelve

Aiden hadto stand aside and watch Chalisa joust. Kingston led the horse to the far side of the wooden rail that separated the jousters from each other. She lifted her hand to close the visor of her metal helmet but glanced his direction first.

Putting his clasped fist to his heart, he gave her an encouraging smile.

She smiled sweetly, her blue gaze saying she loved him, and closed the visor. If only he could tell her he loved her back. Already he was treading on shaky ground, letting down his walls and savoring these stolen moments with her. It was possibly a betrayal of his oath, and it was completely unfair to her. Chalisa was so angelic she said she'd always forgive him and love him. He didn't deserve her, and it would be much better for her when he walked away again.

Kingston handed her the lance. It wasn't heavy at about twelve pounds but awkward with its length. Chalisa had a quiet strength. She lifted the lance into cradle position, ready to smack it against her opponent's chest. She could do this.

He looked down at the far end of the rail and saw Captain Lemuel seated on a prancing brown horse, holding his own lance. The man's face shield was down, but he looked much too confident and comfortable on that horse.

"Apparently the captain was raised in Kentucky on a ranch, and he competed internationally in the steeplechase," Stuart said, glaring the same direction.

"Great," Aiden said when he wanted to curse.

"What's so great about that?" Wes asked, arching an eyebrow.

"I trained you and you are going to win." Stuart turned his glare on Aiden, daring him to say he couldn't win because Lemuel was an expert on a horse.

"Oh, I know that." Aiden appreciated and related to Stuart's competitive nature. He tried to play off his sarcasm. "But you're only as good as your competition. We want to beat them soundly, not win because they are incompetent."

"You're right," Stuart said begrudgingly.

Aiden thumped Stuart on the shoulder and turned to focus on Chalisa. If Lieutenant West had been raised on a horse's back as well, they might be in trouble.

The flag dropped, the crowd cheered, and Aiden's stomach tightened. He had no stress about his own events, but Chalisa on that horse, riding toward a Navy SEAL holding a blunted lance, made his nerves tingle. Why had any of them agreed to this? If he believed in heavenly intervention, he would've prayed. As it was, he held himself erect and felt as helpless as he had since …

Since the night his mom died and he'd seen her lifeless body over Ike's shoulder before his older brother blocked his view and pushed him into the hallway, pinning him there until the police came.

Chalisa's horse galloped toward Lemuel's. She raised the lance to point at him, but even from here Aiden could see the lance was shaking. His stomach turned over.

Lemuel was almost upon her. The man yanked up on his horse's reins and the horse smoothly leaped over the wooden railing and into Chalisa's horse's path. Aiden and the rest of the stadium cried out in surprise.

Chalisa's horse reared back. Lemuel pushed his lance against Chalisa's chest, then tossed the lance and pivoted his horse around, reaching for her as she dropped her lance and lost her seat.

Captain Lemuel slid her onto the saddle in front of him, wrapping an arm around her to secure her to him. He tugged back on the reins and his horse went motionless. Chalisa's horse shuffled to an uneasy stop.

The crowd stirred, not sure if they should cheer that Chalisa was safe or storm the stadium and flay the man who'd almost hurt her. He'd vote for the latter.

Aiden raced toward them. Stuart, Wes, and Kingston trailed him.

He was furious. How dare Lemuel try such a crazy stunt? Chalisa could've been thrown from the horse, trampled, or slammed into the railing.

He sprinted up to them and yelled, "What were you thinking? She could've been killed!"

"Aiden," Chalisa's sweet whimper came from under the helmet.

He reached up for her. Lemuel released her, and she slid off the horse and into his arms. It wasn't as if he could feel her through the thick padding and armor, but the reassurance that she was safe and in his arms helped calm him. A little bit.

Letting her feet slide to the ground, he lifted her visor. Her blue eyes were wide and uncertain.

"You're okay," he reassured her. "I've got you now."

Kingston ripped Lemuel off the horse. Aiden almost smiled.

"How dare you," Kingston growled.

Captain Lemuel flipped up his visor, unsmiling but definitely not looking fearful like he should. Kingston, Wes, Stuart, Malik, and Alaric surrounded him. Aiden knew they could take Lemuel down, but they were great guys and would step back and let Aiden pummel the idiot if he asked.

"I know horses," Lemuel said. "And I worked with Sunshine early this morning to perfect the jump. I knew exactly how to maneuver to keep Chalisa safe while unseating her with the lance. Now that I've won the event, she won't have to go up against me multiple times. I felt this tactic was much safer and would minimize any discomfort to her."

All the men stared at Lemuel for a few beats and then exchanged uneasy looks. The Magnites knew horses better than Aiden, Wes, and Stuart. It might have to be their call if they dismantled the guy. Dang it.

Prince Quinn and Prince Bodi reached them. Prince Bodi and Princess Julia were the official ‘judges' of all the events. Alaric quietly repeated Captain Lemuel's excuse while Chalisa leaned into Aiden. It worried him that she said nothing.

"What do you think, Quinn?" Kingston deferred to the crown prince. Aiden wondered if Kingston was too invested as Chalisa's brother-in-law to be fair.

Aiden was definitely too invested, and he didn't want fair. He wanted Captain Lemuel pummeled by him, then shipped out of here on the slow boat.

The crowd was far too quiet, all straining to listen. He noticed Lieutenant Hays standing next to Mercedes and Shawn. They looked concerned, and it appeared Shawn was gently restraining Mercedes from rushing over and trying to fix the situation.

Prince Quinn tilted his head to the side. He, Kingston, Prince Bodi, and Alaric waited for Princess Julia, and then they moved into a huddle and quietly discussed. Nobody else moved or spoke, but still Aiden only caught a few words.

He kept his focus on Chalisa. Her color was looking better, and she gave him a sweet smile. It was taking all his self-restraint not to carry her out of here, get her out of this armor, and kiss her. If only Mercedes would let him compete alone against Lemuel and West.

The group separated, and Prince Bodi turned on his mic. "Captain Jagger Lemuel will be awarded seven points for the joust."

The crowd muttered, obviously not liking that.

"He did technically win," Prince Bodi continued. "But used untraditional means to do so. Chalisa Anderson will be awarded three points for bravery and poise." He smiled, and the crowd cheered. As the crowd settled, he said, "Captain Lemuel will also have a warning. If he tries anything unconventional again, he will forfeit all his points earned."

The crowd cheered at that as well. Lemuel nodded and turned his horse, riding to Gerald, the stable manager, and dismounting. Aiden supposed the ruling was fair. There were ten points for each competition and Chalisa had at least earned some. He liked the warning and risk of Lemuel forfeiting all points even more. The guy would stay in line, or the competition would basically be over.

"Are you all right?" He stared into Chalisa's blue eyes.

"Yes." Her smile reassured him. "That was crazy, but at least I'm done with half of the joust."

"You are very brave. I think they should've given you all ten points for your bravery, poise, and beauty."

"I think they were generous to give me three of the ten."

Prince Bodi was announcing Aiden's first event—hand to hand combat against Lieutenant West. Aiden could hardly wait.

"Kiss for good luck?" he asked Chalisa.

"You don't need any luck. If you can beat Kingston, you'll destroy both of these guys, but I definitely need a kiss."

Aiden chuckled and took her helmet off. He held it in one hand, cupped her cheek with the other, and kissed her. The crowd roared their approval. He forced himself to release her and wave to the crowd.

"Thank you," he said for only Chalisa to hear. "With that kiss, West doesn't stand a chance."

"More to come when you win. Thank you for being my champion and helping me win the million dollars."

Aiden loved the promise of more kissing. Chalisa was poised and brave. What a woman. If only she could be his.

He escorted her to Kingston. The man gave him a serious nod and demanded, "You get all ten points."

"Yes, general."

Aiden had his hands wrapped, his head gear on, and strode to the sparring ring. He didn't waste any time taunting, letting West feel like he had a chance, or messing around for one moment. The match started, and it was apparent that West was strong and a great fighter. Aiden used every bit of speed, talent, and finely honed strength and skill he'd earned throughout his life. He had West bloody, bruised, broken, and pinned in under a minute.

As soon as Kingston called the match, Aiden jumped to his feet and offered West a hand up.

West took the offered hand and sprang to his feet. He clapped Aiden on the shoulder. "It was an honor to fight you. Even more impressive up close and personal than on the videos I've watched."

"Thank you," Aiden smiled, grateful the guy was so easygoing.

"Winning all ten points, Captain Aiden Porter," Prince Bodi announced.

The crowd went nuts.

The morning sped by.

Lemuel easily flipped Chalisa's sword out of her hands, caught it, and won all ten points.

They all lined up to compete in archery. Aiden and West both got all bullseyes and received four of the ten points. Chalisa got one and Lemuel got one. Aiden enjoyed that.

The target shooting was similar, but Lemuel did much better and Chalisa worse. She had zero points, West got three, Lemuel three, and Aiden four.

Aiden and West suited up for the joust. West had luckily never been on a horse and was all over the place. The lieutenant only stayed on his horse through sheer strength and grit. He wasn't able to place his lance in the right position to hit Aiden with it.

Aiden shattered his lance on the guy's chest three times and received all ten points, making the Magnite fans cheer raucously. Stuart was, of course, very proud.

Aiden was beaming. Until he had to watch Chalisa get in the sparring ring with Lemuel. His gut churned, and he stood at the very edge of the ring, making sure Lemuel knew he was there.

Usually Aiden had a smirk or grin on his face. Right now, he was glowering. He didn't even care if the camera focused on him and Sutton wondered about his lack of poise. Lemuel staying in line was all that mattered to him.

Lemuel strode up to Chalisa in the ring, smiling. He said something to her that made Chalisa smile and made Aiden's muscles tighten. Chalisa looked cute in the head gear and wearing protective chest and arm pads, her hands wrapped up.

As soon as Kingston signaled, the SEAL quickly wrapped Chalisa up in his arms, dropped to the ground, did a reversal, and pinned her in the dirt. Chalisa struggled underneath him, and Aiden's chest filled with red-hot anger. He seized the fence to vault over it. Stuart and Wes both grabbed him from behind.

"He has to pin her to win," Wes said quietly. "It'll be over quick."

Aiden let them restrain him and knew Wes was right, but it was sickening to watch Chalisa underneath Lemuel. It reminded him of the first night they met and him rescuing her from Jorge. If only he could jump in and incapacitate Lemuel like he had Jorge.

Kingston called the match, awarding Lemuel the ten points. The crowd didn't cheer. Lemuel popped up and helped Chalisa to her feet.

Wes and Stuart released his arms and Aiden was over the barrier. He hurried to Chalisa and Lemuel.

"Forgive me for pinning you," Lemuel was saying.

"It's okay." Chalisa was dusty, but she seemed okay.

Aiden slid his arm around her and directed her away from Lemuel. The guy probably glared at him, but he didn't care. Chalisa was smiling up at him, and that was all that mattered.

"You're all right?" He was anxious. What if being pinned like that had brought back memories of Jorge?

"Yes. It was uncomfortable, but Jagger was very nice about it."

He pressed a kiss to her forehead, thinking that Jagger wasn't nice at all. Soon Aiden would get to battle with Captain Lemuel and release a whole lot of frustration.

Mercedes rushed up to them, her blue eyes frantic, of course shadowed by the ever-present Shawn. "Chalisa. If you want to just forfeit the joust and sparring match with Hays, you can. I don't want you pinned down like that again."

Thank heavens. Aiden wanted her to agree, but he let her decide.

"I'll forfeit the sparring," she said, "but I think I can do all right in the joust. I have more experience on a horse than Hays does."

Aiden respected her decision, but he worried.

"All right. Good luck." Mercedes let Shawn turn her back to the stands.

He and West had a good sword fight, seven to three in Aiden's favor.

Finally, it was time for a late lunch. Prince Bodi announced the points totals before the crowd dispersed. The teams were tied at thirty.

"I'm not contributing at all," Chalisa said after they used the restroom and washed up.

Aiden directed her toward the castle where they were to have lunch, smiling and nodding to well-wishers who passed them.

"You're doing great," he told her. "These men are highly trained Navy SEALs. Just because I'm able to easily best them doesn't mean they aren't elite warriors and athletes."

"Has anyone ever told you that you have an over-inflated ego?" she asked, blinking prettily up at him. He would never forget her blue eyes.

"No. They're too busy telling me how astonishingly perfect I am."

"I agree."

They stopped in the middle of the cobblestone street, he lowered his head and she arched up to him. The kiss was simple, pure, and meant the world to him.

Chalisa drew back slightly and whispered against his lips, "I love your ego. You are perfect."

He really wasn't, except in battle, but he didn't complain when she kissed him again. This kiss was more intense and conveyed how deeply she felt for him. He loved these public kisses but could hardly wait for more private kisses later.

Kingston had to draw them apart to go eat, acting all gruff and put out. Aiden loved that too.

He was anxious to prove himself and decimate Captain Lemuel this afternoon, but he didn't want to miss one stolen moment with Chalisa. It was probably wrong on so many levels to let down his guard with her, but he couldn't dredge up any guilt and had no desire to throw his walls back up. The thought of leaving her again made his stomach churn.

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