Page 22 of A Clash of Stars

“Strike, Strike, Pivot, Lunge!” I heard this repeated by my father what felt like a million times.

“I am so tired, Father. Could we maybe take a break?”

“Warriors don’t need breaks, Clara. Warriors are always prepared.”

I knew my father was right, but I was so thirsty. “Could we at least get a sip of water?” He tilted his head at me, “All right, sweetheart. Just a few minutes.”

I guzzled water so fast that my stomach hurt from the overwhelming saturation.

“You have done well today, Clara. I think you will be a force to be reckoned with.”

I smiled at my father and felt a surge of confidence. He had always been that way, ensuring I was confident in my skin.

“I know you are only fourteen, but there will come a day when you can defend our Kingdom and yourself. You won’t need anyone or anymanto protect you.”

“Yes, sir.”

Bringing myself back to reality, I continued to practice my defensive steps with my sword, but I felt the tingling of eyes on me. I took a deep breath and continued with my striking when I was halted by a grip of solid hands around my wrists.

I twisted my body with force and agility, my left arm forcing the rough hands off my body and my right hand bringing the sword to the assailant’s neck.

My eyes flew forward to the golden rings of Madok’s eyes. A sharp breath exhaled from my body as I regained my balance and withdrew my sword.

“Great strike, but it wouldn’t hurt anyone,” he said amusingly.

An almost annoyed breath left me as I moved closer, and he grabbed my arms sweetly but possessively.

“What are you doing here, invading my space? I thought I was just a…distraction? You made that clear last night.”

A slight smirk rose in the corner of his mouth as he spoke, “I just can’t stay away.”

I felt the eye roll through my gaze as I retrieved my hands away and stepped a few strides from him.

“I need to practice, you are distracting me from myself-taught defensiveskills.”

I emphasized the ‘self’ portion of my sentence because it was his fault that I didn’t get the final weeks of training with everyone.

He laughed the most delectable laugh, took strides toward me, and closed the space between us again. When he did, the warmth of his scent took over me and took me hostage.

“How about you let me help you? I am great with a sword and was actually at the top of the class for agility.”

I scoffed, “Only because I wasn’t there. Is that it? You couldn’t stand the thought of coming in second tome?”

I knew I was sweaty and had been practicing for a while. I should go to my room. That’s when Madok’s voice interrupted my decision-making.

“Clara, I’m sorry if I upset you. All I want to do is guard you, but I don’t know how. You and I were amazing together for so long, and I screwed it up. It wasn’t because I wanted to leave you, Clara. I wanted to keep you safe, that’s it.”

That admission immediately made my heart lurch towards him because I wanted to believe that he was telling me the truth, but at the same time, I wasso undoubtedly angry with him. A part of me also knew that I still couldn’t help the feeling of being tied to him in some way.

We had been through so much life together already, and only the two of us knew what we shared in our relationship. With the next breath, I stepped toward him, and the words vomited out of my mouth.

“Madok, you have been there for me since I was thirteen. You have always protected me and kept me safe. Whether I realized it or not. I know what you are doing isn’t trying to hurt me, but it is. You broke me into a million tiny pieces, and I don’t know if I will ever be whole again. You must allow me to make decisions and live without your control.”

As I took a deep breath, I saw the hurt filling his golden eyes.

“I just… I just want to be happy, Madok. I want to make my parents proud. I want to win the Variance. Not because it is what is expected of me but because it is what I want. I also wantyouto support me without worrying about my future. Can you do that?”

Madok smiled his signature smile, and a citrus scent seeped from him. It filled my head, and golden sun streaks poured over our faces, painting our skin with the warmest tones. I could smell his minty breath inches from my face. His strong hand gripped my neck and pulled me closer to him. I gasped.

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