Page 15 of Guardian's Heart

He wanted it the hard way?

He would get it.

Instead of fighting against his grip, I moved into it, aiming my foot at his face. With a curse, he managed to move his head to the side so my foot glanced against his temple instead of his nose.

"You little starbane," he shouted, pulling me down and against him.

My elbow hit his kidney.

"You don't know when to give up, do you?"

"You have no idea," I hissed, aligning my elbow for a second round.

He was faster. He rolled us over so he was on top of me. With one of his hands, he grabbed my wrists, pinning them over the top of my head.

I kicked out, but he simply sat on my hips, and even my dirty fighting skills couldn't do anything against his brute strength and weight.

"Quit struggling, female." He chuckled. The bastard was enjoying himself.

"Nova," I pushed out.

"What?"

"My… name… is… Nova," I gasped. He was cutting my air off, but damn him if I was going to show him any weakness.

"Zaarek." He grinned.

"Get off… me."

"Not on your life." He was still grinning when dots floated in front of my vision. I would not give in. I would not.

"Nova?" His voice sounded concerned but so far away.

"You frygging stubborn female." He finally got off me, shaking me. "Nova?"

I struggled to keep conscious while gulping in deep lungfuls of air.

"Are you alright?"

His concerned expression took form in front of my vision. Had I not been so weak, I would have used this moment to kick or slug him, but as it was, I could barely move my arm.

Effortlessly, he picked me up and carried me through the bushes back to my small little camp. Fuck him. Now, I would have to start all over again. I was so mad at him that as soon as I had some strength back, I backhanded him.

He let go of me.

Unprepared, I landed on my ass on the ground. "Ouch."

"Do I need to tie you up?" he challenged.

"If you don't want me to run, probably." I glared up at him.

"I came to save you." He sounded exasperated.

"Well, consider myself saved and be gone then," I snarled.

"Impossible female," he cursed.

"Nova," I corrected, and we glared at each other some more.

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