Disclaimer: All characters that are involved in sexual acts are at least 21 years old.
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I woke up slowly, the morning sun shining through the open window, the sounds of birds chirping in the background. I turned around and looked at Asher, who was still fast asleep, his breathing soft and steady.
He looked so peaceful.
The stress on his face when he was awake seemed to wash away during the night. The look on his face when he slept wasn't unlike how he appeared normally.
"Asher," I murmured softly, as I stroked his cheek and he shot up so fast, it was a wonder he wasn't dizzy.
"Your Highness!" he said, a hint of panic in his voice, his eyes scanning the room.
"Relax, Captain," I said, leaning back against the headboard. "We are alone."
"But I am..., Fuck!" he exclaimed and gathered his clothes. "I'll be late," he mumbled, while he dressed.
"I am sorry," I whispered quietly.
He finished dressing and ran his hand through his hair, looking at the ground.
"I shouldn't have let you convince me to stay."
"I am sorry, I was..., you were so good, and...I love having you here."
"It's not your fault, I am Captain for a reason, I should have been able to walk out the door. I am just not strong enough, when it comes to you." He sighed and leaned forward, brushing a strand of hair behind my ear. "You should go back to sleep."
"What about you?" I asked and he smiled sadly.
"I will have to search for clues in the forests."
"It will be dangerous, won't it?" I asked, already knowing the answer.
"Yes, it will. But if we want to find out what is going on, we have to do it, Enya."
"I know, but still, it worries me," I whispered, trying not to sound nervous, but judging by the look on his face, it hadn't worked.
"I know, Enya, and I am sorry, but we will have to deal with it."
"Just...be careful, please, Asher," I pleaded.
He gave me a small smile. "I will."
He glanced at the closed door, then bent down and placed a firm kiss on my lips.
My heart soared as I returned it, wrapping my arms around his neck and leaning forward.
"I won't get enough of that," he murmured against my lips.
"You never do, Asher." I sighed, smiling.
"True, and I hate it," he sighed and pressed another kiss against my forehead. "Rest up, Enya."
He straightened up, leaving my room as quickly and as silently as he had arrived last night.
I sighed and turned around, closing my eyes. He was right. I should rest up, get back to sleep and be well rested for training.
***
After breakfast, I made my way over to the training grounds, where my teacher Aktaion was waiting for me.
He was tall and muscled, his black hair tied in a braid behind his head.
"Enya, are you ready for another lesson?" he asked, a smirk on his lips.
"Yes, of course, let's begin."
***
Aktaion wanted me to stop after 3 hours but I urged him to keep training me for another hour.
"If you push yourself too far, you will only hurt yourself," he told me, but I wasn't listening, the urge to keep training burning inside me.
"You are too stubborn, Enya," he sighed. "I am sorry, but it is time to stop."
"If you won't train me, I will just train by myself," I told him and jerked my chin up. I didn't mind being called stubborn because I knew he was right, but the drive, that urge inside me wouldn't let me stop, not now. And I could train by myself too, though I knew I learned more from him.
"Enya...," he started but I cut him off.
"I won't listen, anyway."
"Fine, but I will tell your father, what happened, if you break a bone," he replied sternly.
I didn't know whether to feel proud for having worn him down or scared of what would follow.
"Whatever, as long as you train me," I replied, feeling how much it annoyed him that I always did this, which was funny.
"Stop smirking, let's continue, you need to learn this one thing about fighting properly, one of our best soldiers came up with it."
So I listened to his instructions and waited for him to show me.
***
I knew I should have listened to him.
"It's not broken, thankfully," the nurse said, as she put on the splint. "But you have to rest that wrist for at least six weeks."
I groaned and leaned my head back, pinching the bridge of my nose.
"Six weeks? That's way too long!"
"If you would have listened to me, you would have saved yourself the pause," Aktaion said laughing, making me look over at him grumpily.
"Maybe, but what's done is done."
"Yeah, what's done is done," he smirked and left the room.
I sighed and looked out the window, watching the clouds moving slowly across the sky.
I hoped Asher was okay. The fear of him getting hurt, wounded, killed by whoever was trying to make a mess was there at the back of my mind, but I couldn't focus on it too long.
"Thank you, Dina," I said and moved to the big hall.
My wrist was throbbing in pain, but I was still happy that it wasn't worse.
I had to find something to do with my time, anyway, so I might as well go out.
Walking through the city, I was surrounded by the bustle of people, who were going about their lives, carrying out their daily tasks, just like me.
I loved to walk through the streets of Moira, the people were always friendly, especially when they recognized me. I never treated people like they were unimportant and there was not a single day, I haven't received kind or loving words back from the residents.
I loved it here; it was home to me.
And it broke my heart to imagine losing what I treasured so dearly and I would do everything I could to protect it. It was worth fighting for and I wouldn't back down easily.
The library I usually visited, when I needed a quiet place, was at the other side of town. It was a large building, carved in stone, just like the castle.
The walls were white, as it was the common building material of Moira, giving it a bright look.
