For that, I’d want a woman more like me…
More like Tisi.
I ground my teeth again. I hated that woman nearly as much as I still loved her. The trouble was, I couldn’t seem to rid myself of my feelings for her. I’d meant to marry her and she’d gone and bedded the first man she’d seen — other than me — after the war. How could she do that to me? I thought she’d been the one.
I…
I had to stop thinking of her.
I hadn’t realized how much seeing her again would burn me.
She hadn’t changed. She was blistering fire and pent-up power, ready to be unleashed upon her foes. And I was a foe now.
I didn’t know what I’d done to cause her to betray me, if anything at all, but she seemed to hate me as much as I hated her and I couldn’t figure out why. I wasn’t the one who’d slept with our unit leader.
Seeing her today had nearly been too much for me. The shifting silk of that dark-blue shirt over her lithe and athletic form and those pants clinging to her strong legs had almostmade me burst forth from my pants. Thankfully, my lust had been tempered by my loathing. As much as I didn’t want to, all I had to do was remember her and Sergeant Tomas together and I lost all desire for her.
Almost all.
And rehashing it all wasnothelping me relax. My muscles bunched in growing tension. Perhaps I should visit a whore before I returned to my men. Though, given how I was feeling I didn’t think that would go well. I’d probably get some slight and waifish girl and nearly break her with the force I wished to release.
That’s why Tisi had been so amazing. She was strong and hardy. I didn’t have to restrain myself with her, and she certainly hadn’t restrained herself with me. Together we’d been… amazing and powerful.
Fuck. I was doomed.
I couldn’t get her out of my mind.
By the time I stormed into the massive barracks compound for the Dragoons I was in a foul mood. I quickly undressed from the finery I’d donned for Prince Victor’s visit and put on my battle armor. I wouldn’t normally train in all of this, but I wanted to go all out and exhaust myself so I could forget today.
Marching into the practice yard, I plucked up a practice sword and went to town on one of the wooden dummies. Hacking it to pieces over the course of… well, I lost track of time. All I knew was I was a sweaty, aching, tired, and burned-out mess when I finished.
And everyone else in the yard stared at me.
I left, hoping to sleep through the rest of the day after a hot bath, but a page found me as I returned to my room.
“Sir, a noble gentleman is here to see you,” the page said, voice breaking, rising through multiple tones, as the poor youngman fought to keep his fear of me in check. I must have been some sight: a heavily armored, sweaty, raging, mess of a man.
“The prince?” I asked quickly, a bit too harshly.
The page flinched. “No, sir. I do not believe he is a prince, just a nobleman. He says his name is Lord Leomund of Seven Stars.”
I grunted. I wanted to tell his entitled ass to go away, but with my commission for the crown, that wouldn’t look good. I could refuse a nobleman since I was working for the royals specifically, but I should at least hear the man out first,thenrefuse them in person.
“He’s in the sitting room,” the page said, probably seeing my hesitation.
I nodded. “Thank you,” I said, with a heavy sigh.
I stalked — still a sweaty, stinking mess — to the space we’d set aside for visitors. It was a large well-appointed room with a great hearth, many comfortable chairs and couches, and an extensive, if not extravagant drink tray.
The lord was looking at the array of swords hung on the wall. He had a slender and dainty appearance, which made me think of him as young, though he was probably my age. He turned at my arrival, probably hearing me in my heavy armor. His bright green eyes widened upon seeing me.
“Oh!” he exclaimed. “Are we to begin at once then?”
“Begin?” I was thrown by this, and that only added to my frustration and anger.
I was probably just a little too harsh when I demanded, “Who are you? What do you want?” Though the more I looked at him, the more I recognized him. But then… with their uniform blond hair and jewel-tone eyes, all the nobles and royals of Pearlia looked like him.
The tall, lanky man took a step back, shocked.
