7. Valek

valek

. . .

"I swear by the gods that I did not seduce you in your sleep," I state emphatically, confused by her accusation and somewhat curious as to why she believes I did. "Did you dream of me?"

"No," Odette snaps as her beautiful face turns bright pink. "I mentioned nothing of dreams. Nothing happened last night, but since our last meeting, I have become more acquainted with your reputation, and it worries me that you may take liberties to achieve your goal."

I shake my head, then continue twisting my body into the desired position. "Whether you believe it or not, you are my mate, Odette. You are precious, and our bond is sacred. When I take you, you will be an active participant."

The blush on Odette's face turns crimson. "Fine, just drop it. Let me help you with that position. You appear to be having difficulties." She quickly changes the subject and attempts to offer assistance.

As much as I want her hands on me, I wave her away, confident I can do it myself.

"I promise I'm more than capable of completing and holding this position. I've dedicated endless years to training my body and surpassing my physical limits. A few stretches won't even make a dent in my strength." Despite the strain in my breathing, I push forward with determination. My mate needs to feel safe and confident in my ability to defend her. I will not be defeated by a mere stretching exercise. Grunting and straining, I strive to draw my knees closer to my chest, mimicking the fluid pose Odette effortlessly demonstrated just moments ago. My muscles burn with exertion, but I refuse to give up. As sweat drips down my forehead, I focus every ounce of my being on mastering this seemingly simple movement.

"You don't seem fine, Valek. Your breathing is shallow, and your muscles tense. This isn't a competition or an act of physical strength. Yoga is a practice that helps you connect your mind, body, and breath in perfect harmony. Each stretch and pose serves to release tension, anxiety, and stress from your body. We should start with something a bit easier."

Odette's disappointment is palpable, and it's much too soon for my mate to lose confidence in my abilities. It should never happen, but if I ever fail to meet her expectations, I'd prefer it were after years of proving my worth.

"This may not be my usual approach to training, but I have faith in your judgment. If you believe this practice will benefit me, then I'm willing to endure it," I whisper through gritted teeth as pain courses through my limbs. Despite Odette's recommendations for modifications, I stubbornly hold onto the pose, forcing a strained smile on my face. Beads of sweat trickle down my forehead and temples, intensifying the burning sensation into a piercing ache.

Odette's breath slows and deepens as she gracefully drops out of her pose, melting onto the soft mat beneath her. With a fluid motion, she lifts her arms over her head and lets out a contented sigh. "You can release now, Valek," she gently instructs me. "Let your legs relax and let go of any tension in your arms."

Her encouraging words wash over me like a warm wave, but my body remains unresponsive. My limbs feel heavy and constricted as if they are glued to the mat in this torturous position. I focus on my breathing, trying to appear committed and focused on the exercise while secretly buying myself some time to try and unravel from this contorted state.

"What are you waiting for?" Impatience drips from Odette's voice as she rises gracefully into a seated position. Her piercing eyes study me, narrowing at the sound of my teeth grinding together, a physical manifestation of my struggle to speak. She leans in, her perfectly manicured fingers tapping on the floor as she waits for me to answer.

As I lie on the ground, struggling to move my body, frustration and desperation well up inside me. "I think I may need your help," I manage to say through gritted teeth. A stubborn part of my body refuses to cooperate with my directions—whether it is my hip, thigh, or knee, I can't tell. Immobilized in this awkward position, the thought of being stuck like this for the foreseeable future makes me admit that I may need assistance after all.

Odette inches closer, examining my contorted limbs with discernment. Her brow furrows with confusion and concern as she runs her small hand over my immobilized knee, giving it a delicate nudge in an attempt to realign my twisted body. She leans in, her warm breath brushing against my cheek as she speaks softly. "You need to relax, Valek. Your muscles have constricted and stiffened, locking you in place. Breathe and release. Breathe and release," she repeats, her hands gesturing in a gentle rhythm to encourage me.

A persistent ache in my back creeps into my head and tests my patience, making me increasingly agitated. As a demon, I am immune to harm. My body is indestructible and can heal from any injuries. At least, that's what I believed until now. Sitting here, racked with throbbing pain, I can't help but wonder if this is one of those rare instances where my immortality fails me. I have always prided myself on my strength and dominance over others, but now I find myself in discomfort and doubt, wondering if there are things that even a demon cannot withstand. This is a horrible time for me to discover my vulnerabilities; Odette will surely want a stronger male to be the father of her children.

A sly smirk curves Odette's lips as she looks down at me. "I see you're going to be a typical demon." She rises to her knees and places a firm grip on my ankles. The floor beneath us creaks as she shifts her weight, her pale eyes never leaving mine.

I tense, unsure what she plans to do, but as she begins to speak in a low, rhythmic tone, a tangible energy flows through my body. A magical spell weaves its way through my contorted limbs, untangling the knots of pain and tension that have settled there. An overwhelming feeling of tranquility washes over me, like cool water pouring over hot coals. With a sharp tug, she straightens my limbs and sets my spine in place with expert precision. My body feels light and balanced as if floating on a cloud.

As I lie there, stunned and unable to form words, Odette's melodic voice breaks through the haze. "Does that feel better?" she asks, her tone gentle but laced with mischief.

With her help, I slowly get to my feet, trying to ignore the tingling sensation in my limbs. She giggles lightly, teasing me about potentially severing my spine. My mate has a twisted sense of humor, but I can't help but smile at her playfulness. The gods truly have chosen wisely to pair us together.