CHAPTER 28
Fuck, I needed a drink to relax so badly, but I couldn't. It was such bloody hard work being on top of Eliza the whole time plus having to disguise my signals so she couldn't read my emotions. I was absolutely knackered, but I had to persevere. I had picked up on Eliza's mood of determination. I knew she wanted to impress me and she hated me not showing any approval or any emotion. She was desperate for me to see she had learned something from the whole incident at Markus', but I couldn't let her off the hook yet. I had to persist for at least three days with this harsh regime, depending on how it was going. If she managed to keep up her determination for those three days we could probably ease back into the normal routine, which couldn't come quickly enough as far as I was concerned. I already missed having our little relaxed chats over dinner and her sharp sense of humour.
From the moment she got up the next morning, I ordered her around to do the most stupid tasks I could think of and she complied with each and every one of them without complaint or even any other signals of discontent. She had completely submitted to me with no trace of sarcasm. She must have been working overtime to control her senses as it was so against her grain to be this obedient without showing some disdain or irritation. I wondered if she'd last the day without an outburst, having to work this hard. At least she was practising cloaking, which would only benefit her.
“Permission to speak, Sir?" she asked for about the tenth time today.
I hadn't given her permission at all yet. I had just ordered her around, including telling her to eat, drink, wash and go to the toilet.
“Granted," I relented.
“Please may I see Zaphire at all today, Sir?”
For the first time today she showed her feelings as she was anxiously waiting for my reply. She really wanted to meet up with her and hadn't been able to keep quiet about it. I had been planning a self-defence session with Zaphire later this afternoon, but wasn't sure to give in to her request now. I needed her to be tested to her wits end so I decided to deny her the pleasure.
“Not today, Eliza. I will cancel the session with her this afternoon and will do the self-defence session myself with you.”
I carefully gauged her reaction. Her shoulders dropped a bit and a little sigh escaped her mouth.
“Is my answer not to your liking, Miss Mankuzay?" I pressed.
She looked up at me, steely eyed. She had recovered her determination.
“No, it's not a problem, Sir." she said, even managing a little smile.
“I'm glad it's not a problem for you, Eliza." I said sarcastically.
“Go and get a book now and copy me ten pages. Make sure I can read your writing.”
I was getting bored of thinking of useless tasks and this would keep her busy for a while. She didn't bat an eyelid and went straight to the task. I texted Zaphire to tell her about the cancelled session. I got one straight back saying “Arse!" Guess she wasn't too happy with me either.
I looked forward to a bit of exercise and hurried through our lunch. I hated not being active and we had been cooped up in our room all morning. I gave Eliza a bollocking for not getting changed quickly enough, which she accepted and apologised for straight away. She was getting bloody good at this. She probably hated my guts now, but she didn't show any sign of it. She clearly had inherited her father's cloaking skills, and this training had brought it out of her. I was incredibly impressed with her. Some of my previous trainees had coped far worse and they had grown up in our community so were used to the discipline and our way of life. I wasn't going to let her know that though. Yet.
“No, place your arms here, and here.”
I showed Eliza how to get out of a strangle hold, moving her arms in the right position.
“Now jerk both arms in opposite directions.”
There wasn't enough venom in her movements.
“Hold me in strangle hold, and I will show you.”
I made it look easy, but in fact she had me in a good hold, probably fuelled by her dislike for me at the moment, so I had to put quite some force in. I swung her around so her face was nearly touching mine. She smelled delicious and looked gorgeous with her fiery eyes. I could see my scent and closeness didn't leave her cold either as she closed her eyes, and pushed me away. She was visualising to keep her urges under control. I hadn't realised how much she was still struggling with them. But she let her guard down whilst fighting me and they had gotten on top of her. She was quickly back in control though, glaring at me.
I backed off and turned around, next thing I knew I was on the floor. She had scissor tackled me from behind and taken me completely by surprise. She stood over me with her fingers jabbing at my eyes. Little minx. My instinct kicked in and I grabbed her arms and flipped her over. Within seconds I was on top of her and I couldn't
