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His Desire 9
~Kiva With gritted teeth, I stare at the raging river before me. "You can't be serious,” I growl. "You need to learn this,” Ark insists. This is my first outdoor training exercise. Ark in all his imposing state stands next to me, ready to thrust me into this raging river with a low chance of survival. I swear it’s just for his amusement. "It's freezing out here. Are you trying to kill me?" I motion to the ice underfoot. The water is all ice melt from the mountains, which means I’m more than reluctant to step into this river. "I gave you a week to heal. You should be perfectly capable of crossing this river." "I can do it. I just don't need to practice in the cold." Not that the ground is ever not frozen. Of all places father has to rule, I wish it wasn't over a cold, mountainous area. "If they come in to hurt you again, this is the path to get to the safe-house. It could be in the dead of night that you need to cross this, after heavy rains. You need to learn before
His Desire 10
~Kiva Glass shatters nearby, jolting me awake. It takes a long moment for me to fight my way out of the feeling that this is merely a nightmare, or a vicious flashback of the break in. And then it dawns on me, as I sit in my bed, that the nearing commotion is real. I’m in danger, and yet only one thing shrouds my mind. My mate. He’s here. Stumbling from bed, I make my way to the door, pounding on it. Last time, Andri was dead outside. What if the same fate has befallen Ark? "Ark? Are you out there?" I call out. My fingers tremble against the doorframe, hearing frantic movement from downstairs, drawing close again. Gritting my teeth, I tug at the door handle. It doesn’t budge. "Ark? Why am I locked in?" I ask frantically, wiggling the handle so vigorously I may break it. No response. From downstairs, I can hear the thud of someone being pushed up against a wall, or perhaps that’s a dead body falling to the floor. This is bad. Really bad. Backing away, I opt f
His Desire 11
-Mature Content Warning!!-~KivaPeeking around the doorway into the infirmary, I see Ark laying in the furthest bed.A smile touches my lips. He’s alive. I knew he would be. And he’s laying in bed, a rare sight for such a strong, healthy man.As I approach, I wince, noting the intensity of his wounds."You look terrible,” I observe, my attention grazing over him, over the white bandages wound around his limbs.He laughs breathily. "Thanks, Kiva."The wounds on his face are the most offensive to look at. A large, deep indigo bruise spreads over his right eye and cheek, accompanied by some minor scratches.They didn’t hold back with him. Like they didn’t hold back with Andri."How are you feeling?” I ask uncomfortably. I don’t know how he responds to kindness, since I’m so brash with him all the time."Better than I deserve. I can't believe they bested me,” he mutters, frowning deeply."There were eight of them, all armed apparently. Nobody could have fought them off,” I assure him. We
His Desire 12
~KivaLeaning down, I wind a bow with my shoe laces, making the most of the brief break to get regain my breath."Seems as though you're back to rule breaking,” Ark observes from where he leans against the wall.I wipe the sweat from my brow. "Huh?"It's been a day and he is back on his feet, watching over my training. He still looks battered, and at points I've noticed him wavering...but he won't admit that.His gaze is glacial. "What is it about near-death experiences that leaves you needing to touch yourself."I frown. I didn't...Oh.My mind flickers back to last night, at the sinful thing I did with my mate, a man whose face I haven't even seen, whose voice I haven't even heard.It went too far last night. I shouldn't have allowed myself to indulge in something so wrong."Oh, I didn't...I mean..."Ark raises his brow. "Hmm?""It's probably the adrenaline. I don't know,” I mutter, straightening.I hope he doesn’t comment on my lack of eye contact. I’m thoroughly embarrassed, and i
His Desire 13
~KivaThere’s only one thing that’s going to get me through tonight.Rifling through the cabinet, I push various cans and preserves to the side before my hand grasps the exact dusty bottle I’ve been looking for."Look what I found,” I sing out, straightening to examine the bottle in the light.I learnt my fathers proclivity for hiding his whiskey amongst the pantry foods that he figures I didn't like when I was a teenager. Now, it’s going to get me through the night with Ark."Put that back where you found it,” Ark warns.I pop the top off it. "Why?"He studies me from the far side of the room. It’s clear he wants to get through this night with as little annoyance as possible on his part."You are not drinking,” he mutters, as I wave the bottle around, trying to tempt him."We have been here for hours and both of us are bored,” I wine, sniffing the bottle, trying not to wince at the strong scent it emits."Have you drunk before?" Ark questions irritably.I narrow my eyes on him. He th
His Desire 14
~KivaFrost crunches beneath my shoes as I wander around the gardens with father by my side.At this time of year, it’s a pitiful sight. Everything is frozen over, any sign of life have crawled away to die in the cold.Yet father is starting to grow wary of his own staff, wanting to speak to me outside, where none of them linger."So you were incorrect then, about the intrusion?""That, or they figured out you weren't in the manor, and decided against it.” Father keeps his hands neatly tucked behind his back as we walk, smile ridged.I’m glad he got it wrong, that my mate and his companions didn’t break in after all."Good...good."I stare at my feet, trying to summon the courage to ask the question that has been at the tip of my tongue for a while.“Hey, father?""Yes?""What would happen if I found my mate?" I ask softly. I’ve always wondered, since I was a child, and yet I’ve been too frightened of his answer.Now, evidently, I can’t put it off any longer.He takes a long time to t
His Desire 15
~KivaArk’s presence looms behind me as I’m invited in the foyer of Caspian’s massive palace. It’s not his place entirely. There are the King and Queen, but they are not here during my visit.Father sent me here for one reason alone.To convince Caspian to propose to me."Caspian, it is wonderful to see you again,” I exclaim, seeing him stride across the foyer toward me.He looks vaguely handsome today, all dressed up like a Prince in his baby blue dress shirt and dark coat. I swear his eyes are brighter, hair lighter than I remember."You too, Kiva. Thank you for visiting,” he greets."I brought my personal guard with me as well. I'm sure you understand why.” I motion behind me at Ark.Caspian’s smile vanishes as he takes in the imposing sight of my guard. Ark merely dips his head of way of greeting, of showing his respect to a Prince.Instead of acknowledging him, Caspian turns his attention to me."Oh Kiva, what has been happening to you is just horrendous. Truly...I cannot imagin
His Desire 16
~KivaI gape at Caspian, unable to will my trembling legs into standing position to come greet him.Ark has throughly ruined my composure.“Ah, the Prince.” Ark sweeps into a bow, which is obviously mocking, only adding to the tension in Caspian’s shoulders.It’s late. Very late, and Caspian has come to my room…“Guard. What are you doing in Kiva’s room?” He questions coldly, looking at me in my almost sheer night clothes.“A final sweep for the night,” Ark reports. His procedural tone relieves some fear in me. Caspian cannot fault me for having my guard check my room in times like these.But I can’t shake the thought of what he interrupted…What would have happened had he not? Would Ark have kissed me, or done more? Would I want him to?“She is perfectly safe here-“I stand swiftly, brushing past Ark. “Caspian! Whats with the late night visit?”His intentions for coming here at this hour cannot be entirely innocent. Ark knows it, it’s why he seems rooted to his spot, not having excus
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