Page 94 of A Whisper of Cinders

CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE

Iam greeted with flashes of last night as I awake and wish I could do it all over again. I thought I was going to freeze, unsure what to do with my lips and tongue. But I wasn’t as inexperienced as I thought I would be. Or at least, I think so.

Aramis is obviously much more skilled than I am, but I could keep up with ease. It didn’t feel awkward to me, but I do hope he enjoyed it as much as I did.

Would this be a one-time thing, a fling? I certainly hope not, I don’t think I’m that kind of person. I want, no, need more than this, more of him.

I throw the covers away and walk towards the bathroom. A small piece of paper in front of my door catches my eye. I fold it open, not recognising the handwriting.

Meet me in the dojo ASAP.

- C

Not having to think hard about who this note belongs to, I grab my sport gear and disappear into the bathroom. I was going to the dojo either way, I find it important to keep up my routine.

I quickly wash up, brush my teeth and put on my leggings, sports bra and T-shirt. This one is deep green, it reminds me of Aramis’ eyes.

I grab something light for breakfast and eat whilst walking to the dojo. Conláed isn’t a patient male and who knows how long the note has been lying on the floor.

I pick up my pace and reach the dojo in no time. Soft warm light greets me as I push open the door. Even though it is still early — like six o’clock in the morning early — the sound of males grunting echoes through the hall and I catch the scent of something smokey and spiced.

I silently close the door, listening to the voice inside my head that tells me to remain hidden for now.

A sharp smack reverberated through the room as a punch found its mark, followed by the softer rustle of someone twisting out of reach. The grunt and low laugh that follows temper my rising panic. “Stop fucking around, Con.”

Aramis is here? I look down from the balcony and nearly topple over. He is definitely here. He and Conláed are the only ones on the mat, locked in combat, which is fine, really. But the fact that they are both bare-chested and covered in sweat? So fucking hot.

Aramis moves with a dancer’s grace, his blond waves wild and damp against his forehead, while Conláed is all measured punches, raw power and technique. And that body of his? I knew he was hiding something underneath those clothes, but now that I see so much muscle on display, I understand why he’s the best in training and my teacher. His movements are precise and lethal.

I squat down behind the balustrade. I should announce my presence, but there is something very exciting about watching without them knowing. I peek over the edge and see Conláed’s diversion from miles ahead. “Come on, Aramis,” I whisper.

He doesn’t see it and is about to get a full on hit from the dark force Conláed is. But when I brace for impact, Aramis somehow catches Conláed’s hand and throws a firm punch in himself.

Conláed laughs. “Huh, you’ve learned since the last time we fought.”

“Nah, you’re just getting slower,” Aramis teases, but Conláed’s smile disappears and before my eyes can pick up the movement, Aramis is on the ground, the air punched out of his lungs.

I grasp for air, but hide away immediately, covering my mouth with my hands. Hopefully they didn’t hear me, but now might be a good time to come out of my hiding spot.

I stand up and walk around to the stairs that lead down to the mat. They see me at exactly the same moment, Aramis pushing himself up on one arm and Conláed crosses his, a disgruntled expression on his face. Right, gone is the kind male that came to visit last night.

I take off my shoes and notice their gazes on me as I bend over. It’s not like I’m trying to seduce them, yet their eyes are drawn to me like an animal seeing their first meal in a long while. Suppressing the heat that is making its way towards my cheeks, I walk towards the duo and wait.

“Glad you finally decided to show up,” Conláed mocks.

I frown. “I can’t be that late, no one’s here yet.”

He walks around me in a circle. “That is, dear feather, because you’re getting one more private lesson. To see how ready you are.”

I stand perfectly still, my eyes land on Aramis, still on the ground. My gaze drifts to his full lips, and before I can stop myself, I catch my bottom lip between my teeth. His smile reflects my train of thought and I almost forget the challenge I’m about to face. “But I’ve trained with you already?”

Conláed is back in front of me and all the heated feelings that rushed through me go dormant. He stops right next to a now standing Aramis. He still looks fae, and as I really focus on Aramis, his image flickers as well, but it causes a throbbing pain in my head, so I release it.

“I taught you the basics, feather. You know how to punch, the technique behind it. I want to see how you do in combat. With me.”

Has he lost his mind? I can’t compete with him, he could break every bone inside of me if he’d wanted to, without lifting a finger.

“Or are you scared? I could always ask someone else.”