God, that body was just perfection. I didn’t get to see it when we had sex, and now that I did, I was wet all over again. Those v-shaped muscles guiding my eyes down his pants — welp, I was a goner.
Amos must have sensed me drooling over him because he had a smug, confident look before he even glanced at me. “Good afternoon, sunshine.”
Oh crap, was it lunchtime? I better wrap this up as soon as possible because Mia would surely be searching for me by now.
When Amos dropped his spear on the ground, I immediately rushed him, standing a foot away. “Can you teach me horseback riding?”
His grin was so wide as he lifted his arms to embrace me. But he caught himself, resting his hands on his hips instead. I pretended not to notice. “I can teach you any kind of riding you want, baby. Is this your way of spending time with me?”
That was one reason, but the truer reason was stupider. “Kind of, yeah.” I had to admit the truth, or I’d be lying too much, and I didn’t want that. “Also, I kind of told the Prince that you’re teaching me horse riding already, or else they’d pick someone else for it. I prefer you to whomever they choose. They accepted it because you’re one of the best riders here? I genuinely didn’t know.”
Amos eyes widened. “Hey, slow down. Why did the Prince want to know about your riding skill? And you chose me?” His face showed how much he relished being chosen, the reason lost on me. “I am sort ofthe best,that’s true.”
That explained the spear practice. If he specialized in mounted combat, then maybe he also practiced the lance. Myvideo game knowledge was clutch when Mia wasn’t around to explain medieval fantasy logic.
Anyway, back to the important issue; it was possible he wasn’t aware of the Prince’s announcement despite watching it go down last Friday. “As the Prince declared, I’m now a special member of the Champions. They’re concerned about my life skills. I met with them today, actually.”
Amos scrunched his eyebrows, looking me up and down. “In this dress?”
I scrunched my own. “What’s wrong with it?”
He shook his head. “That’s the thing; you look too delectable in it.” His eyes lingered on my legs. “I want to bite those soft thighs.”
With the way his pupils dilated, I knew for sure I was blushing again. Warmth enveloped me as tingles raced to said freaking thighs. I tugged at my sleeves to calm myself down, but that only brought his eyes up and settled on my chest.
“Bea,” he rasped, swallowing. “Did you know your nipples poked through your dress?” As if to prove his point, he thumbed one with a quick swipe, making me squeak at the sensation. I glanced down and saw what he meant. So, it was obvious when I was turned on. During that entire shitshow, did they —
Of course they did. God, did they think I was some kind of slut? They wouldn’t be entirely wrong, but I didn’t want to leave that impression in this universe. And besides, I was trying to maintain the image of a nice, obedient, noble daughter.
“It’s not wrong,” he smiled again. “In fact, I quite like it. Skies above, you make me want to fuck you all day, woman.”
“Be quiet,” I whisper-shrieked. “What if someone hears?”
Amos laughed. “Then they’ll wish they could be me.”
“Ela?” Elias’s voice made me freeze. I turned and found him standing a few meters away, looking like he had finished his ownworkout, his training uniform on. “I didn’t know you’re familiar with my brother.”
“Lots of things you don’t know about me, brother,” Amos replied before I could. “I’m Bea’s riding instructor, for one.”
I gaped at the man next to me. He told Elias before I could even consider if it was information that was fine to share with absolutely no consequences. He smirked at his brother, then at me, and I knew — he was staking his claim. As if we didn’t have a conversation where he agreed to non-exclusivity.
Not that Elias would want to, with me.
It was pointless to be possessive if the entire concept of non-exclusivity was to be open and to share. Right?
Elias sensed it too, tensing up; his grip on the training sword tightened. “Thanks for watching out for my best friend.”
Amos tipped an imaginary hat. “No problem.” Leaning down, he whispered, “You’re mine on Wednesday mornings before your class.” Before I could respond, he slapped my ass, making me yelp and stumble forward until Elias caught me, the sword strewn on the ground. Picking up the spear with a chuckle, Amos left the two of us.
“Sorry about my brother,” Elias murmured, righting me, but kept his hold on my waist.
“Do you not get along?” I knew they didn’t spend time together when we were kids, because Amos was busy being trained by their father, while their mother doted on Elias. But this information was from six years ago; a lot of things could have changed.
“It’s not that.” His golden eyes stared at mine. “We’re just very different. When he started attending school, he never went back home. Only sent letters to our parents. We may share our blood and looks, but we’re essentially strangers to one another.”
I couldn’t help but feel sorry for the two of them. To be siblings but not share a bond was tragic. Familial ties were a bigdeal to me, but I knew not everyone had the same sentiment. Having close family members guaranteed you a not lonely life, theoretically.
Eli stroked my head. “Don’t be sad. We’re okay for the most part. And if you’re friends with him, we can give you different experiences, you know?”
