“We are already in it, so I’m not sure when you will change. You won’t be alone; I’ll be here with you. Until then, there’s training to do.”
He rolled me to my back again. A giggle burst out of me. His lips brushed my neck, moving slowly toward my mouth, leaving kisses every so often. His hands clung to mine, pinning them to the bed on either side of my head. Fire filled my veins again as my body anticipated him. All this dissolved the instant a knock filled the room.
Marren dropped his head to my chest and said, “I’ll be right back.”
I stared as he pulled on his pants, tied their laces, and then slipped on his shirt. Then, he walked to the door. I pulled the sheets and blanket up over my body even though I was sure no one would see much. The door clicked closed followed by some raised voices in his native language.
I decided to climb over to the bench where my robes waited for me and pulled them on. I waited near the door, listening as the shouts moved further down the hall. I turned the handle, the door opening easily this time. A clank against the other side of it drew my attention to my sword, resting in a sheath and belt, with a note attached which read, You were busy, so I sharpened it for you. I hope you find it to your liking. ~Enid.
I grabbed the sword and placed it around my waist while moving down the hall as quiet as I could toward the corridor. I stopped and slipped against the closest wall when a voice I didn’t recognize floated to me.
“We received word you, Master Marren, were the one that stole from me.” The voice belonged to a woman and sounded like she was used to commanding and getting her way.
“Your word is wrong,” Marren said with a hint of a challenge.
“Oh, but I’m quite confident you are in possession of my property, and I’m willing to give you the chance to return it to me, in exchange for me keeping your little secret.”
“What secret?” Marren’s voice became indifferent.
“You are aware of the laws governing this world and forbid your kind from being on this realm, as well as I do. But, I’m a woman of business and will…forget this indiscretion on your part.”
I pulled my hood over my head and stepped closer, curious about who it was that threatened Marren. A woman stood an arm’s length from him with her back toward me. Her hair was covered with a scarf of purple silk. She wore a long black dress with a matching purple sash. Dangling beads hanging from the seams caught the light from the sconces. Enid stood behind Marren with his hood drawn over his head and arms crossed over his chest. A few servants stood by, paying attention to the standoff with fear alight in their eyes.
“I don’t know what you are referring to,” Marren said. “As I’ve already told you, nothing of mine belongs to you. Perhaps you could tell me who it was that told you these things? I can possibly clear up this misunderstanding quickly.”
“My word comes from an anonymous source.”
“Again, I have nothing belonging to you, so if you don’t get yourself and your bandits off my property, I will use force.”
“Master Marren, you underestimate me. You killed a few of my men and took a girl. I want her back. She is my property. I paid for her legally. Do you want to pick this fight?” She laughed through the last word.
I climbed on top of the railing. I saw Marren’s lips press together then gave me a slight nod. I dropped down, landing into a squatting position with no more than a shallow thud. The woman’s head turned to her side. I stood as she snapped her fingers on her right hand. Two men appeared from behind, trying to grab ahold of me. I slipped out of their grip, pulling on my sword. Out of the corner of my eye, Enid approached, sword in hand. The two men stood back with their hands held up, palms forward. Their eyes were wide with fear while they took slow steps toward the door.
“I see we are done here,” the woman stated in a flat tone then pointed to me. “You! You are mine.”
“I’m nobody’s property. If I were you, I would go get my money back.”
Her bright blue eyes glowed as a smile stretched across her lips revealing perfect white teeth. She took a step toward me. I held the point of my sword to her throat. “I believe you were asked to leave.”
Her smile widened with a threatening laugh getting caught in her throat. I didn’t falter, refusing to be the one to back away.
“I see you’ve made your decision.” She turned, rapidly yet gracefully, the skirt of her dress continued to twirl around her as she stepped out of the door with her two timid henchmen following behind.
As soon as the door closed, Marren stepped up to me. “You must enjoy trouble.”
“Why? What did I do wrong?”
“Do you realize who that woman was? She’s the Mistress of the Cyrs, Relena! She knows about us; she could bring half of the continent to our front step because you made an appearance.”