Forbidden Lovers

The Perfect Match

"Eve, get up!" Evelyn heard Estelle's voice coming from the other side of the soft blanket but she decided to pretend she was asleep. Maybe this way the wolf girl could show some mercy and leave her alone. "Evelyn!" For her displeasure, Estelle kept calling. "I won't leave until you stop pretending you're asleep."

Evelyn groaned in displeasure. "I was not pretending!" She said, but even to her own ears it sounded fake.

"Yeah, yeah." Estelle rolled her eyes. "You haven't shown your face to the world for two whole days, what's going on?" Suddenly, she looked worried. "Have something happened... between you and my father?"

Evelyn's eyes widened in surprise, but she shook her head no, which Estelle didn't seem to believe one bit.

"I know he's a grumpy man at times and you can't stand him... but he isn't really that bad if you get to know him, Evelyn."

He wasn't that bad? Wasn't that bad? And she had to get to know him to realize that? Evelyn wanted to laugh ironically at that. So Estelle was really that blind when it came to her father that she couldn't see the way everyone feared even looking at him? That she couldn't see how much Evelyn was really suffering?

But Evelyn wasn't about to try and wake her up anytime soon. Something told her Estelle would always side with her father and the last thing Evelyn wanted right now was to lose one of the only friends she had here.

"Yeah, most probably," she only mumbled.

"Now get up," the blonde Princess ordered in a humorous voice.

Evelyn groaned once again. "Stelle, I'm really not in a mood to socialize right now."

But Estelle only grinned wider. "Believe me, I have a much better idea than socializing with the ladies of the castle." She winked to the confusion in Evelyn's face. "Ah, and wear something comfortable. We're going on the training field."

                                        ***

Just like always, Arthmael had everything in control when it came to training, including the fist fight with his best friend. That, until his wolf moved under his skin, whimpering, wanting to be let free at just the scent he took in. Because after that, a hard fist connected to his fast that made him fall backwards abruptly.

He wanted to wipe Nick's mocking grin off his face but he knew he couldn't, not when Evelyn was watching, anyway. What was she doing here, though? It was so not like the royal ladies to come here and watch the warriors train, hell they weren't even allowed to, not when they were unmarked at least, but if Arthmael knew something about Evelyn already, it was that she didn't back down. Not even in front of a bunch of hungry wolves who were watching her like she was some piece of meat and he wanted to pull their eyes off their cavities.

"Stelle, what are you doing here?" It was easier to pretend he was overprotective of his supposed sister than for others to understand what he was really worried about. But his gaze fell on Evelyn as he spoke the words so she could see the truth behind his words.

But instead Evelyn clenched her teeth and looked away angrily. The way her mate cared for another woman this much would never fail to make jealousy get the best of her. Even if he considered that woman only his sister; she didn't consider him the same.

"Coming to train? For what other reason would I come here?" Estelle's tone was flirty, but still, it seemed only Evelyn could really get that. Arthmael and Julian looked totally clueless.

"You know your father doesn't want you to be here, right? And, your grace, you too shouldn't—"

"Are you trying to order me around, Arthmael?" She snapped. "Did you forget whom you are speaking to?"

Dominic didn't seem to be able to hold back from chuckling and with a start, Evelyn realized he knew. And it should've worried her but the way he gave her a wink, fully enjoying all this, it reassured her a little.

Arthmael didn't move his gaze from her despite his next words, "Of course not, your grace. I was just saying that this isn't a place for you."

"Why? What could happen to me here?" She arched a brow, the tension on the air so thick, you could cut it with a wife. But it seemed she didn't even care, the way Estelle leaving a kiss on his cheek making her blood boil inside.

"Nothing, Your Grace, Arthmael's just worried about his reputation after you saw that punch I left in his handsome face," Dominic said and everybody laughed but Arthmael. "You know they call him the best warrior, yet he can't even win over his right hand."

Evelyn giggled, teasingly, her eyes not leaving Arthmael's even for a second. She was enjoying this much more than she had first thought, she had to admit.

Dominic kissed her knuckles softly, totally ignoring the warning look in his best friend's face. "Dominic, my Queen. Pleasure to finally meet you, I've heard a lot about you." The grin in face only grew wider when he saw the way Arthmael was running one hand through his long dark hair. He knew Arthmael too well. And Arthmael was jealous.

And Dominic was enjoying this a lot.

"Sir Dominic, pleasure is all mine." Evelyn giggled, falling into that young girl's act was much easier right here, out of the castle, surrounded by young people that weren't King Robert. And with a jealous Arthmael there in front of her. "And as for your friend here, I bet his reputation is kind of overrated. He is called the King's son, after all."

Arthmael gritted his teeth together, something inside him wanting to throw her on his shoulder bodily and get away from here. His hands all over her ass as he'd really show her the truth behind his reputation but he forbade those thoughts immediately. "It seems you don't know me at all, my Queen." The warning behind his voice was obvious, and admittedly, it was a big turn on.

"Definitely," Estelle interrupted this time. "But still, you owe me a duel, Arthmael. You've been avoiding this for long now."

"Why is she pushing this, wouldn't losing be embarrassing?" Julian murmured more to himself, but everybody heard nonetheless.

Arthmael sighed, tensing. "Come on Estelle," he complained, "This is pointless. Leave fighting to the male warriors."

Evelyn got up from her seat instantly, her eyes and mouth widened in surprise as she made some steps towards him boldly. "What is that I just heard? Are you implying females can't fight, Commander?" She demanded right to his face. 

Arthmael gave a fake smile. "You know I didn't mean that... my Queen."

"Oh, but I think you meant exactly that." Slowly, knowing that everybody's eyes were at her, including the warriors and soldiers out there, she took Dominic's sword from the scabbard of his belt. "I invite you to a duel, Commander." She never broke eye contact with him as she brushed the sword in his beard, biting her bottom lip and Arthmael was a strand of hair away from smashing his lips against her and claiming her his in front of every single one watching them right now. If only, maybe if only she wouldn't be this feisty and bold and attractive he wouldn't desire her right now. Not this much, at least, but she was making this only harder.

"I think Arthmael's scared he's gonna lose. Evelyn's an elf, after all," Julian commented, gaining some chuckles from the warriors that were already getting some beers and gathering to enjoy the show.

Evelyn giggled. "I could win this with a snap of my fingers but magic would be cheating, right Commander? So no magic, I promise. Only you and me and the swords." 

Why did she seem like she wasn't talking about the duel at all? Arthmael swore under his breath, hoping the others would not get that there was something going on between them. She could be so bloody bold sometimes but he loved that. So goddamn much, it seemed.

"I'm really sorry, my Queen, but as much as I'd want to gain your wish, I'll have to turn you down." He tried talking some sense into her and himself in the same time. "I do not want to hurt you."

"Hurt me?!" She laughed. Even though it was fake, she sounded so surprised, like she couldn't wrap her mind around the possibility of the best of the best warriors hurting her with a sword. "I'm worried about you actually. I'm starting to like you, I wouldn't want to see your handsome face bruised."

Alright, what the hell was going on? She couldn't be this careless now, could she?

The others laughed again.

"Or maybe you're just afraid—"

"Alright, duel you want, duel you get," getting his sword off his scabbard, Arthmael said in his deep, oh-so-knees-weakening voice. "But don't say I didn't warn you when your beautiful dress gets all tore up... my Queen." This time, his voice was mocking too. And the crowd erupted into applause, excited for what was going to take place right in front of their eyes. And Estelle and Julian seemed to be enjoying this too, fortunately not catching up on the signs. No one but Dominic seemed to realize what was really going on. Of course, Arthmael's loyalty to his Alpha King was indisputable.

Slowly, they reached to the training field, Evelyn braiding her long hair behind her back so they wouldn't fall on her face and distract her and Arthmael swallowed down hard at the view in front of him. Her cleavage out in the open, and so was her long, pale neck... there, where he was supposed to leave his mark... there where he was supposed to kiss and suck and leave other love-marks as well, but once again he tried with everything in him to get those tempting, forbidden thoughts out of his head.

Evelyn had just braided her hair and he was this much distracted. If he kept doing this she'd win for sure.

By the way her ocean eyes sparkled, she knew.

He arched a brow at her, and Evelyn was happy for once to see a different side of him. A flirty side, a side that was promising, if only he wouldn't come to his senses after this duel.

Which he would.

"Ladies first." A smirk found its way to his lips and only that got her breath away. Damn him and his god awfully good looking face.

However, Evelyn remained undistracted and did what she thought was best doing — attacked him with her sword. And her technique was good, she had been training a lot when she was younger as a way to get all her bed energy out of her body, however, by the way Arthmael avoided all her moves with ease, she realized she had been taking this too easily. He was The Commander, for goodness' sake, what had she thought?

Yet, she didn't let herself be discouraged. That would only bring her loss faster.

And Arthmael didn't attack her, not even once. All he did was avoid and protect himself and it started getting on her nerves. "You're holding back," she said, annoyed. "I do not need you to hold back, I can protect myself just fine."

Only now, he made his first attack. And only protecting herself had been hard. "I know you can protect yourself," he whispered on her ear. "I'm the one who can't protect myself from you, little mate." She opened her eyes wide, looking around for signs if someone had heard. Her heart literally pounding on her ribs cage a mile a minute.

"Arthmael." It was the smallest of whispers that left her mouth. More like a whimper.

"I'm so weak for you, Evelyn. So goddamn weak." But he made a step back when she made an attempt to reach his throat. "But I won't let you win, your grace." This time, his voice was loud and clear and she giggled a little.

"No, you won't let me win," she answered. "Because I will win myself."

Once again, they were back to their swords dancing, launching themselves on each other, yet Evelyn knew he was still holding back. Actually, he was only teasing her. She knew she was no match for him, but the fact that he was willing to let her play him and his reputation just so he could see her smile made her heart melt inside. Arthmael was so goddamn good at this. So goddamn good at being the best mate she could ask for.

It was their timing what had played them this wrong. They were just the perfect match.

With only two moves of his hand and one of his leg, he had already knocked her out on the ground. She winced at pain of her ass connecting hard with the ground and it only made him chuckle.

"What did you say about my reputation?" Arthmael said cockily, holding the sword in her throat as Evelyn rolled her eyes, actually angry that he had played her like that.

The crowd applauded for him, all laughing and enjoying their drinks. "LONG LIVE OUR COMMANDER! LONG LIVE OUR COMMANDER!" They all shouted at the same time and as soon as Arthmael turned at them, Evelyn used her leg to knock him on the ground, using her inhumane speed to take her sword, get on her feet and point it to his throat this time. Oh, how the tables had turned.

"LONG LIVE OUR QUEEN! LONG LIVE OUR QUEEN!" For her surprise, the warriors all shouted at the same time, making her realize that they had actually accepted her.

He looked at her in shock as Evelyn gave him her most satisfied, mocking grin. This woman is unbelievable, he thought.

"You're the Commander, hasn't anyone taught you the first rule of dueling?" She pouted like a little girl, teasing him the whole time. "Never turn your back on the enemy."

Arthmael only grinned wider. "It's only that I have never left one of my enemies alive before."

His grin was mirrored by one of her own. "Oh, than I should consider myself lucky."