Page 53 of Vows Forged in Blood

“The Knight,” I’d corrected.

“Ah, yes, theKnight, he can move…here?” she’d questioned, biting her lip as she moved the piece in question across the board. I’d tried very hard to ignore how attractive that was. I’d failed miserably.

“Yes, very good.”

We’d played several games, with me beating her rather easily each time, of course.

“Ok, ok, I’m starting to really understand, I think. Let’s play again.”

“Alright,” I’d agreed, enjoying the time we were spending.

“Would you allow me to ride Xerxes?” she’d asked casually as she made her initial move.

“Absolutely not. I know he allows you to pet him, but being near him and being atop him are very different things. He could kill you in seconds.” She’d pressed her lips into a line, that calculating look in her eyes.

“How about a wager then? If I beat you, you allow me to try—with you close by to intervene if necessary—to ride him.”

I’d all but scoffed, knowing how ridiculous the wager was, but deciding to humor her since she wanted to make it for whatever reason.

“Alright then.” Her eyes had lit at my agreement and it had warmed my chest. “And if I win?”

“Anything you want, Alaric,” she’d said and I don’t know that she meant for the words to come out quite so sensually. I’d had to clear my throat before answering.

“A debt to be named at a later time then, agreed.” She nodded and we began playing. I’d found myself focusing less on the game and more on my opponent. On the way the firelight brought out the gold flecks in her green eyes; on the way she twirled a curl around her finger when she was concentrating on the board or ran her finger over the ring on her right hand; on the way she absently ran her tongue along her bottom lip sometimes when she glanced up to my own. It had been all I could do not to throw the chess board and table between us aside and pull her into my lap, to slam my lips to hers until we were breathless.

But then I’d straightened, too late realizing what had happened. I’d narrowed my eyes at her, but she only grinned: I was already beaten and she knew it.

“Check mate,” Dahlia said before leaning back and crossing her arms over her chest, an extremely self-satisfied grin on her face.

“You…you littlewench,” I’d said in genuine astonishment, looking at the board in disbelief. And then, I’d laughed. Lightly at first, and then a deep, full laugh that shook my shoulders and warmed my chest. Dahlia had blinked, her lips parting on a soft exhale.

“What?” I’d asked eventually.

“I’ve never seen you smile,” she’d said, sounding a little dazed. “Reallysmile.”

“Oh,” I’d said, clearing my throat. “Well, it doesn’t happen often, I suppose.”

“It should,” she’d said simply. She’d held my gaze and I thought that if it made her happy, I would smile like a lunatic for the rest of my days.

“And where, pray tell, did you learn to play chess like that?” I’d demanded.

“Lord Burren taught me when I was ten. We used to play every week. I got quite good,” she said with a modest shrug, but there was a proud, cocky glint in her eye that made me fall even more in love with her right then and there.

“Though you are a cheating, conning harlot,” I’d said with a smile and she’d laughed out loud, grinning back, “you can attempt to mount Xerxes tomorrow afternoon, but I make no promises past that.”

Of course, the damned horse had not only let her ride him without so much as a huff of annoyance, the two of them seemed to have some strange connection I can’t even comprehend. It was as if she had been made for the horse, and he for her. They were perfect together, moving as if they were one creature without a shred of shared blood between them. Of course, they were connected in a round-about way with her being my mate, but it was more than that. This was simply something of the divine that couldn’t be explained, a connection between souls.

We’ve ridden several times together through the rolling hills and thick forests surrounding the camp and they’ve been some of the best times of my life. I don’t know if that’s pathetic or not, but it’s true. The feel of my horse beneath me, the air and beauty of my home surrounding me, the sight of Dahlia beside me, taking it all in and seeming to love it as much as I do—it’s damn near perfect. When we rode just last night the thought hit me like a lightning bolt as I watched her gaze in wonder at a hidden waterfall I’d found years ago.

I love her. I really fucking love her.

Things have most definitely changed between us. I don’t know that she could possibly feel the same as I do, but she seems to genuinely enjoy our time together and that’s enough for me. It has to be enough. There are very few people in this world that I let see my true self: Elias, of course, Sebastian, and Fiona. Even my other siblings are more like acquaintances than family or friends and though I’m less rigid with them than I am with most others, my inner circle as it were consists of only three. Four now, I suppose.

So, needless to say, I have no real fucking clue how to navigate this new…relationship with Dahlia.

She, on the other hand, seems to have no trouble at all in adapting to our new circumstances. I’m not surprised, of course. Everyone that crosses her path seems to fall in love with her. I am nothing special in that regard. But there have been moments.Heavymoments. Moments where it took every ounce of strength I possess not to give in to what I so badly wanted. Moments that I knew without a doubt that she wanted almost as badly as I did. I know the blood I gave her is somewhat responsible for that, but…I don’t think it’s only that. It may be wishful thinking, but I believe that she might want me all on her own. She’s slowly moved closer each night on the couch, inching ever closer, testing…and I’ve only craved having her closer. I should stop this, should make her keep her distance, but Ican’t. I physically can’t force her away. It’s too hard, it hurts too much.

Now, I make my way towards the ring where Dahlia is working on weapons training. I’ve been getting regular reports on her progress, but I can’t help but want to see it for myself. They’ve been using one of the older training areas, not used by most of the soldiers, so the area is nearly deserted as I approach. She convinced me that her guard doesn’t need to follow her around every moment within the camp, and I grudgingly agreedthat she was safe within the walls and that they only need to escort her outside. They are also to watch her any time I’m away from the camp, though discreetly, but she doesn’t need to know that.

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