“No.” Briar frowns. Through the soul bond, I feel a prick of curiosity at the thought of her training. I study her, wondering if she truly didn’t know her father planned on betraying me.
“Interesting that he would train you, the only one destined to live in the Underworld,” I muse. She bites the inside of her cheek and studies the floor intently. “Don’t you think?”
“I’m sure he simply wanted me to be safe.” Briar lifts her gaze and pins me with it. Her gray eyes are endless and piercing. I feel a chill sweep through me as she stares so intently. “You’ve warned me yourself that I’m not safe here – even from you.”
I grin even though her words make my black heart twinge with guilt. “Quite right,” I purr. “Shall we put your skills to the test?”
Briar blanches and I feel a wave of uncertainty from my bride. “Maybe another time.”
“I’ll go easy on you,” I tease, already shirking my black jacket.
Briar’s eyes flash, but she keeps her face a careful mask. My little mortal is a good actress, and she’s clever. She lifts a hand and flings the dagger towards me. I don’t flinch as it sails past my head, close enough that I can feel the rush of air against my cheek. I hear the dagger sink into the wood behind me. A smirk tugs at Briar’s lip but she hides it quickly. “Alright,” she says smoothly, heading to a clear area free of practice dummies.
I feel a rush of giddiness and adrenaline sweep through me, not entirely from Briar. My heart beats a little quicker. It's been a long time since I was this excited to spar with anyone. I know Briar could have sent that dagger into my forehead if she wanted. I smile as I unbutton a few of the buttons on my crisp, black shirt. Her eyes rake over my exposed chest, and I feel her heartbeat stumble. Her eyes dilate, and she forces them away from my chest to meet my gaze.
I feel a wave of hunger as she drops into a crouch, arms relaxed at her sides but ready to fight. My tongue slips over my lips, and her eyes track it. A growl rumbles in my chest and I see an image of the two of us tangled together flash through my mind. But it wasn't mine. Briar is hungry too. My smile broadens, and a blush creeps over her cheeks.
Suddenly, Briar darts toward me. She crosses the mat in two broad steps, lifting one leg to catch my shoulder with a powerful kick. I twist, dodging it, and her eyes widen at the speed of my movements. I feel my teeth sharpen into fangs before I force the animalistic urges of my vampiric nature back. She doesn't let her surprise stop her from attacking again, dropping to a crouch to sweep my legs out from under me. I give her this one, falling with a thud. She brings her knee down on me, but I catch it mid-strike. She inhales sharply, and I feel the pleasant tingle of her fear. Delightful.
I toss her away, forcing her to lose her balance. She recovers quickly, breathing hard, and circling me. Now she'll be on the defensive, searching for weaknesses in my attacks. I rush her, ready to strike. She blocks me, face scrunched in concentration as her forearms push away my punches. She drives her knee towards my gut at the same time. The force of the attack has me doubled over, breathing hard. A dull ache throbs in my belly, and I distance myself from her as I catch my breath. A flicker of pride warms my chest, and I catch her smiling smugly. I grin back, pleased.
She looks surprised when she sees my smile, but I don't wait before I'm on her again. Briar cries out as I knock her off her feet. We grapple on the mat, arms and legs twisting around each other – each trying to get a better grip. Briar squirms out of my hold, surprisingly flexible. I whirl on her before she can scramble to her feet and drag her back to the ground. Her fear is my fear, and I feed on it. I force her onto the mat, straddling her waist and wrestling her arms down.
Briar is breathing hard, her chest swelling with each breath. I pin her arms down beside her head, but she bucks her hips, trying to throw me off. I tighten my thighs around her hips, and she gasps, breath catching in her throat. She stills, eyes wide. Beads of sweat trickle down her temples and onto the mat. The room is quiet, the only sound our labored breathing. This is the first time since she became mine that our bodies have been so close. Through her thin shirt, I can see her nipples stiffen. It takes all of my will power to drag my eyes away from them and to her face. But it’s almost my undoing.
Her gray eyes are wide, but not with fear anymore. Her desire sweeps through me, making my arms tremble. Suddenly, my senses feel razor-sharp. Every breath, every quick heartbeat, every drop of sweat is like a perfumed song. Her breath hitches in her throat as I lower my head closer to her until I can feel her breath wafting over me. I turn my head, letting it caress my ear, and shudder. I know she can feel my desire through my body and through the soul bond. I don't have the strength to keep the barriers up in this moment. So I delve into her want, eyes closed and lips parted. She shifts beneath me and I inhale sharply as pleasure ignites in me. Briar freezes.
I wonder if she's been with any men or if she's familiar with the male body. I study her blushing face, her barely suppressed desire, and decide against it. Briar shifts her head, angling her
