Page 101 of A Simple Truth

“Come find me,” I sweetly sang, immediately regretting it as my eyes noticed the large, red flag peeking past a few shrubs ahead.

I was a running distance away.

“Thank you, Lady Fate!” I mumbled in excitement as I took off, running up the sloped field faster as the air whooshed from my lungs. I ignored the additional flares; more of us down, but it didn’t matter because I was here and so was the flag.

But before I could take another step, a large fire rope wrapped around my ankles, yanking me straight to the ground.

“Going somewhere?” the General purred.

Oh, now he shows up?I grumbled to myself as I maneuvered out of his ropes, ripping them with my heat shields, managing to stand up and bolt again towards the flag.

But the General hastily caught up with me in a few large strides. I wheezed as another set of ropes, this time wrapping around my waist, jerked my whole body to him until I was tight against his bare chest.

“You think you can run away fromme?” he whispered in my ear. His warm hand tenderly tucked the hair from my face, his thumb tracing down my jawline until he tilted my head up to his. His lips almost touched mine as he whispered, “I’ve missed you,Finnleah.” My breaths were uneven for all the wrong reasons as I closed my eyes, leaning into his touch as he held me close, his lips lightly brushing against mine. “But I don’t appreciate you drawing me out with your false fighting alarms,” he replied, still not letting me out of his tight embrace.

“It worked, didn’t it,” I retorted as the corner of my mouth tugged upwards and the world didn’t seem so daunting anymore, now that he was close.

“I would’ve come for you either way,” Gideon murmured as he landed another kiss on top of my head. My lungs expanded in a large breath, taking in his smoky scent as shivers ran down my body at his closeness. “Though, it is rather convenient that you brought me to the flag.”

“I saw it first,” I objected, daring to open my eyes, only to be met with his handsome smile.

“That’s not how War Games work. Have you never played Capture The Flag?” His chest shook under my hands as he laughed. “I promised Orest a win, and supposedly I have to play fair, considering my previous ban from the game.”

“Zora will murder me.”

“Maybe she’ll kick you out and you could finally stay at my tent,” he purred. “At least, that’s what I’m hoping for.” He grinned and my cheeks flushed pink, as my body eagerly agreed with his enticing suggestion.

“You know, I just thought about it…” I theatrically paused. “And I’d rather get the flag myself.” With that, I sent my strongest heatwave straight at him, pushing us both apart. My body bounced from the heatwave, closer to the flag.

“As you wish.” The General sent a flaming rope towards me, but I blocked it, then he sent another one, and I masterfully deflected it too. Each time, I took half a step closer, letting him push me towards the flag. All I had to do was simply touch itand the enchantment would send a red heatwave through the terrain, immediately stopping the game.

A few flares lit up the sky again, but I ignored them.

Just a few more steps, and I’d reach it.

“You’ve gotten stronger,” the General noted, impressed, as I blocked another attack, his words filling me with hidden joy.

“Zora did one hell of a training job. In fact, she is the best trainer I’veeverhad.” I threw a jab at him, he rolled his eyes, not hiding his smirk laced with wicked intent.

“Be sure to tell her that when you lose,” he said.

“I would, but I don’t plan on losing, General.” I sent a heatwave at him and though he didn’t fall, he stumbled.Stumbled. “Maybe she can teach you a thing or two as well.” I showed him my tongue and darted for the flag. He glared from under his lashes, taking a long breath.

“I don’t want to fight and hurt you, Finnleah.”

“Well, that’s too bad, because I’m not giving you this flag without a fight,” I argued, conjuring a large sphere.

“We both know you will not win in a fight against me. But how about this. I’ll trade the flag for another kiss from you.”

My eyes flickered with suspicion.

“Are you saying if I kiss you…you’ll let me keep the flag? You’ll lose a game for me? Fora kiss?” I rolled my eyes, not believing him as we crept forward. Now, the flag was almost within my reach; just another step.

“For a kiss from you, I’d do anything.”

I narrowed my eyes at him, silently questioning, and he just shrugged.

“One kiss and the flag is mine?” I repeated, my mind eager to fulfill my part of the bargain, not really caring for anything else.

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