I laughed at his awkward stammering. True, I wasn’t one for whores either, but he really needed to get laid. And being the vicious sister I was, I couldn’t help but goad him a bit more.
“If you’re shy, I’m sure she’d teach you a thing or two. Actually, your birthday is coming up, isn’t it? Maybe I’ll buy one for you. Some round wench, all oiled up and ready for love. You’re always getting me nice things, it’s time I returned the favor.”
It had been a joke, but the way Daz looked at me, gaping, mouth bobbing open and closed, like a fish, he thought I was serious.
Still, he looked so silly I had to laugh. I couldn’t figure out why he was so shocked by this. Though, if he was a virgin, then perhaps this was all a bit too much for him. Or, if he wasn’t interested in Avela or other women, then…
“Or… do you like men?” In truth I didn’t know what he liked. He’d never spoken of his affections at all. “No worries, I could get you a man if you like? A hard, handsome bloke, oiled up and ready for love. Or maybe one of each if you don’t know which you want yet?”
Daz choked on nothing, coughing and sputtering.
I laughed harder, then sighed.
I didn’t know what I could do to help the man lighten up. He seemed insistent on remaining clammed up, high-strung, and celibate. Though, to be fair, I hadn’t had sex in a while either, but that’s because I was picky.
Perhaps he was picky too?
Daz got up and walked out, still coughing and sputtering and bright red in the face. I’d teased him too much.
Still, he’d have to get laid someday. I just hoped he’d find the right partner soon and loosen up a bit.
Shaking my head, I went back to the glorious meal he’d made, feeling just the tiniest bit guilty about what I’d said. I shouldn’t tease him so much… but then… he shouldn’t make it so fun!
CHAPTER 9
Tisera
“No,you’re being too rigid, use more wrist!” I had to keep myself from yelling. “This is a much lighter weapon and needs finesse!”
I was halfway through my second training session with Leo but things were not going well. I’d been trying to teach him how to use a side-sword, but he’d been trained with an arming-sword and his stance and style were all wrong.
“No wonder you feel like you don’t know what you’re doing. Whoever tried to teach you didn’t know the right weapon for you at all!” I sighed. “Just… forget everything you know and listen to me,” I said gently.
Leo, sweaty and frustrated, nodded.
We were on my long front lawn, not far from the cottage. If one was going to fall on one’s ass, this was a much softer place to do it than the packed earth of the yard. The lush grasses and softer soil here would add a bit of a cushion. We were both in a padded gambeson — I’d loaned him one of mine — and Icould tell even just this slight added weight on the slender man fatigued him. He really needed to exercise more.
“Come on, sit down and rest,” I said, sitting, crossing my legs.
He followed suit.
“I’m sorry, Miss Tisera,” Leo said a little abashed and forlorn. “My trainers assumed I’d grow stronger and get used to the heavier weapons, like my brothers did.” He sighed.
“If they’d had half a brain, they would have trained you in many weapons to see what you were best with. And if they were going to make you use an arming sword, they should have worked you up to it with smaller or lighter versions first. You might have fared much better. As it is now, you’ll have to unlearn what you know to evenbeginwith this weapon.”
I blew out a breath, trying to figure out where to start. He’d need greater stamina to survive any fight, where one’s strength could drain away quickly if one was too tense. Which also meant he needed to feel ready and able to face a fight, but that would only come with time and practice. Perhaps I shouldn’t even have started him with a sword. Perhaps just hand-fighting would be a better place to start.
I liked that option.
“I have an idea. Come on, stand up and take off your armor.” I did so first and threw the gambeson to one side.
He followed suit. The clothes beneath his armor — he’d come more adequately attired this time, in a lose shirt and pants — were sodden with sweat and clinging to his lean frame. He might not be big, but he did have muscles. I could see them now, the tight, high muscles of a young, lean body. They just weren’t developed for fighting.
I tried not to admire them too much, tearing my gaze off his tall form and getting back to business.
“We’re going to start with therealbasics: stance, movement, observing your enemy. And all of that can be done while hand-fighting. Have you ever thrown a punch?”
He grimaced. “Some families may have siblings who roughhouse a little, but mine… did not. No, I have never punched anyone or anything.”
