“I’ve never seen someone move blades so quickly,” she said. “Especially in water.”
“Learn to balance in the surf or on those logs, and you can balance anywhere,” he explained. “The ocean is relentless. Unyielding. Just as any good opponent should be.”
“My sister did not think Man’s soldiers to be so formidable.”
Nadir rubbed his neck, a sign she’d learned about him that meant he was genuinely thinking over her words. “A different sort of formidable,” he uttered in a low tone. He started unbuckling the pad attached to his shoulder and strapped around his bare torso.
“Why do I get the feeling you would kick every one of my soldier’s asses if I let you onto this beach with a sword?” he asked.
Nyssa huffed under her breath. “I don't know what you mean.”
Nadir smiled softly. "Most dangerous person in the room."
He was lifting the shoulder pad over his head then, his muscles stretching and twisting with his every movement. She didn’t guard her stare and instead allowed her eyes to travel over his sculpted abs, the taut ripples on his sides over his ribs, her gaze even going as low as to notice the vein she’d licked once at the vee of his hip... Muscles that looked as though the sea itself had carved them out of its depths.
Which she was reminded, it had.
“That’s two, Princess,” he said.
Nyssa snapped herself out of her daze and forced her eyes back to his face. “What?”
He threw the shoulder pad lazily over his forearm. “I’m noting every time you leer at me. I’ve caught you staring twice now.”
“You don't know what you're talking about," she lied.
“I could help you if you wanted.”
Nyssa balked at the abruptness of the change in conversation. "Help with what?"
“Your training. Give you something new to learn. I know you have a foundation. But the water is a different animal than the stadium and sand you’ve trained in.”
“Train with your people?”
“Not if you don’t want to. I have some free time in the afternoons. We could go out by my shack. Practice away from everyone else.”
She thought about it. She could use the practice now that she was away from her castle and couldn't train with her brother. She was at least comfortable with Nadir enough to train with him. But the thought of his people watching her made her skin squirm.
“I’d like to observe a few more days," she finally determined. "But soon. I would like that.”
Nadir gave her a slow nod and said, “Okay.”
Her eagle screeched overhead, and Nyssa smiled up at him. Whatever mocking comment her eagle had made, she didn't hear, but she knew he was making fun of her for standing in front of Nadir just like she said she wouldn't.
She caught Nadir staring at her again, and the darkening of his gaze made her hug her arms around her chest. "What, Commander?" she asked.
“Ah... Nothing, it's just…” He paused, swallowing. “You're standing on my beach."
"You keep saying that," she smiled.
"My beach. My sunset. My home place..." His weight shifted, and he reached out, his knuckle sweeping her cheek. "My Princess... A perfect way to start the new year."
The words reminded her of what he had said to her the night after the meeting.
"You are my great prize, Princess,"he had uttered in her ear as he took her from behind.
A jagged breath entered her lungs, and she cleared her throat. "You remember what happened the last time you claimed me," she mocked.
Nadir huffed, a sideways grin spreading on his lips. "Should I not want that again?"
