Frost Bite

Chapter Seven.

Aron.

The following morning was the morning that she would appear before the people to be names the next Commander of the Royal Guard. Her armor was partly done, the breast place, skirt and boots were ready to be worn so my father had instructed me to deliver them to her before the ceremony. I walked the halls with the pieces wrapped in black fabric, tucked away under my arm with a long sleeve brown shirt dangling loosely from my torso. I stopped outside her Chamber door and raised a hand to rasp my knuckles against the black wood "Enter" her voice called from inside, causing a chill to be sent down the back of my spine. I pushed the door open to reveal a sight that I hadn't been expecting to see. She was just stepping out of the tub, her bare feet stepping onto the steps one after the other as she wrung out her hair on the top of her head. Her eyes were too busy focusing on where she stepped as not to slip to notice that it was me "Mila, would you mind handing me my gown?" she asked and when there was no reply, she looked up at me, her eyes locking with mind from across the room. A flicker of pain crossed her eyes when she fell silent, her movements becoming slower, smaller as if she was afraid that I would run away if she moved too abruptly. After some time of staring at each other, I averted my eyes and cleared my throat "Delivery for the ceremony" I explained, raising the armor that was wrapped in fabric. It cluttered as I moved to set it down on the table in the center of the sitting area. She watched me, her body dripping with droplets of water that made her skin glisten in the light of the morning sun that shone in through the window behind the tub. The room smelt of roses and lavender, she smelt of roses and lavender "Aron" her words were like a whisper, breathless as she descended the steps and moved to join me in the living area, in front of the fireplace. I couldn't bring myself to move, eyes locked onto her with a hunger, a predatory need to hunt her, to touch her. She reached out a hand towards me, eyes searching my features and when her fingers were about to graze my cheek, a loud clutter echoed throughout the room. I glanced back, over my shoulder and in the direction of the door that was now open and revealed a servant girl, a trey laying at her feet. A tea cup, a tea pot, sugar cubes and milk were splattered all over the floor "Forgive me, my lady" she quickly said then fell to her knees to start cleaning. I glanced back in Blythe's direction to see her looking at the girl with pained eyes then turned to leave. Stepping past the servant without so much as a word or a glance back in the wolf's direction. I knew that if I looked back, i wouldn't be able to control myself, despite the fact that there was a girl with us in the room, none of that would matter. I ducked around a corner and leaned back against the wall, my teeth grit and a frustrating grunt mixed with a strangled cry escaped my lips while I ran a hand through my hair.

Blythe.

"Mila-." I began, my voice low and cautious as I approached her. She was too busy picking up the porcelain pieces to look at me and in her frantic rush to clean up the mess, she cut herself on a shattered shard. She cried out, raising her hand to look at her palm that was bleeding, crimson droplets plummeting down onto the marble floor. I went down on both knees in front of her, one hand moving to gently cup hers while the other reached for the cloth that hung from her shoulder. I wrapped it tightly around her palm and applied pressure with my thumb "I thought you and lord Aron weren't-." her words trailed off, shaky as she tried to hold back her tears. I looked at her, studying her features as she tried to hide her face from me, to hide her pain. It was then that I realized that it was no longer just about me, about my pain but about everyone else's pain as well. Aron, Nixtoni and Mila were all going through their own series of pain much like I was. I smiled sadly at her "I do care for him, deeply in fact" I whispered, causing her to look up at me with red, tear filled eyes. I had admitted it out loud and there was no going back from that. The grief in her eyes, the grief in his from the night before "But I can no longer cause innocent people pain" Selene had chosen Nixtoni to be my mate, she had said on the day of my birth that the first born son to the King would be my destiny. I reached out to wipe at the tears that fell from her eyes then stood, my own eyes growing wetter as I smiled down at her "He is not mine, he is not my fate" with that I turned away from her, the tears spilling from my eyes as I reached for my gown, tugging it onto my body and tying it around the waist. Something inside of me had died that day, the day of my naming before the people. I grew colder, harsher as I dressed in that armor, as my hair was braided tightly against my skull, as I was given a black cape to wear, a helm to carry and wrist bands to bind me to the Royal family of Trigaurd blood. Nixtoni held my life in the palm of his hand, he held the heart of my wolf in his chest and my new title in his mouth. I gazed out at the day beyond the window, a gloomy one much like any other but there was something heartbreaking about that day. A member of the Royal Guard came to fetch me, kneeling by the door as he spoke to me. I inhaled as a commoner and exhaled as a Commander then turned, my cape fluttering around me, to leave for the throne room with the Knight leading the way.

Nixon.

The way she walked was different, her head held high, eyes darker than they were before with an air of importance about her. The doors had been opened for her to step inside, her armor clad boots cluttering against the marble flooring. The Knights that lined the room banged their spears against the floor once, creating a powerful sound that bounced off the stone walls when she passed. Zane shot me a knowing look then glanced at Aron who stood at my side, an old friend and trusted Hunter. Blythe stopped at the bottom of the steps, her thighs, stomach and arms left exposed from the odd design of her armor "My King" she addressed me, her eyes locked only on my form. I rose and the guards lowered the stained glass window that sat behind the thrones to create a platform that overlooked the City of Vextin. My brothers departed for the platform, standing as they had been seated and waiting for me to join them in the center as their King. Her head was slightly bowed towards me in respect when I held my hand out for her to take "Shall we?" I asked and her response was to nod, taking my hand to allow me to lead her onto the platform. Aron watched her but she barely paid him any attention when we passed. Once on the platform I stopped a few paces ahead of my brothers, leading her to kneel in front of me, facing the gathered crowd of people below. The harsh winds caused my coat, the same one as before, and her cape to flutter wildly, strands of her silver hair coming undone from its braid "People of Vextin!" my voice boomed over the crowd, urging them to calm down from their cheering at the sight of me. I raised my hand, palm stretched towards them and they grew silent. Thousands of people stood waiting, watching us, watching her with curious eyes "Yesterday we mourned the death of Sir Edmer Callow, but today we celebrate the Knighting or a new Commander"

Zane.

Her pain had gotten to her, that much was clear to see from how she acted. She was a warrior, one who not only fought battles among people but who raged war within herself. She knelt before the people, eyes empty, her heart broken. It was an ideal situation for me to swoop in and take her shattered pieces for myself, to put them back together with gold, the gold of a Prince and not the silver of a King. Nixtoni spoke out over the crowds but my focus was not on it, rather it was on the Huntsman that stood in the throne room far behind us, waiting for his King. Nixon and Aron had been friends since childhood although one was of noble blood and the other a commoner. Nixon trusted the Hunter more than he trusted his own flesh a blood, but I wondered how he would react when he would learn of the she wolf's interest in the Huntsman. I could not tell him, for as long as it remained a secret, she could not fully commit to my brother, giving me a chance to take her for myself. It wasn't just lust that drove me, the night before had sparked my interest in her, a desire to be close to her, to learn as much as I could about her. My games of only wanting her body were replaced by something much more. My sole desire was to become her mate, to experience the bond she had spoken so highly of "I present to you Lady Blythe Redwood, ninth Commander of the Royal Guard!" my brother's voice announced among the crowd but there was no reaction, a shock was sent throughout the masses at the mention of a woman Commander, the first of her kind. My brother called for his sword, a fine weapon that was hand crafted by the best blacksmith in all of Myres and it was brought to him by a Knight. He took his weapon, holding it as a King would and placed the tip on the top of her head "I, King Nixtoni Triguard of the four Realms of Myres" he began, moving his sword from her head to her right shoulder as he spoke "Now proclaim thee, Lady Blythe Redwood of the moon" gasps resounded as the word 'moon' escaped him. It meant that she was born of the moon, born of the goddess Selene, born a wolf. It was a blow that danced across the people, one that could be left in the atmosphere around us as his blade moved to her left shoulder "The ninth Commander of the Royal Guard" he then took his blade and cut through the air above her in an X motion that finalized his words for all to see that they were set in stone by their ruler and King. He handed the sword back to the Knight and addressed Blythe "You may now rise as a Commander who serves the four Realms and pledge your loyalty to the Royal bloodline" I could see Nazaiha and Navil watching with discomfort, their eyes locked onto the woman as she stood, her armor and chain mail cluttering when she did. They disliked her for not only being a woman but because she was a wolf. When she spoke, power emitted from her, a power very few people had yet to experience. Being a wolf meant that you were born with power, an instinct to be a ruler and it could be heard in her every word, not only by us but by the people "As the ninth Commander of the Royal Guard, I pledge my loyalty to the white bear of Myres!" she turned to look back at Nixtoni, her eyes sad but stern as they locked eyes with my brothers green set. Her helm was still tucked away underneath her right arm and her black cape stood out against her silver armor "I swear to both serve and protect the current King of the Realms with my life and soul as justly and honorably as I am capable of" she took her helm in both hands and knelt before my brother, bowing her head to show both submission and respect to him before thousands of on looking eyes. His necklace hung from her neck, catching the eyes of me and the rest of my brothers. She placed her helmet at his feet then said in a final, monotone declaration "I am yours to command" at those words, the Huntsman fled, his sudden movements catching my eyes. He hurried from the throne room, anger and jealousy radiating from him like the decay of a corpse. The slamming of the double doors were drowned out by the people erupting into cheers and shouts of praise. They began to chant the words "And so the wolf bows!" over and over again as my brother looks out onto them and Blythe gazes up at him with a mixture of hatred, sadness and submission.

Blythe.

Prince Zane was the first to greet me as I moved to leave the throne room after the ceremony. He stood with his hands neatly folded behind his back, a faint smile plastered across his lips at the sight of me. My boots thudding against the marble echoed throughout the vast hallway "Congratulations, Commander" his words were followed by a loud bang as the Knights lining the room knelt down before me. My eyes roamed over them, taking in each Knight until all two hundred were counted. Their heads were bent and their eyes were locked onto the white flooring "These men, are weak-." I began, turning to address the Prince who was in charge of the Royal Armada. My eyes were emotionless while my hands balled into fists at my sides, my helm long since having been abandoned to the arms of a random Knight "Reckless" I finished, my mind going back to the day before when two Knights had recklessly jumped into battle to protect their Commander. It was stupid of them and ended up getting them killed in the process. Zane glanced towards the Knights "They are supposed to be the shield that guards the Capital" when his eyes turned back to me at my words, they were as bright as the skies to the South, blue as the ocean waters that can be found there and much deeper than the crevasses to the North "But their loyalty does not reside with the crown" my eyes flickered to a few of the Knights who moved at my words, jaws clenching and hands tightening around their spears. My voice had been loud enough for the entire hall to hear, including King Nixtoni, who went silent, eyes locked onto me from across the room. There was a long pause before I turned to address the Knights, my voice booming "I am your Commander!" Zane was watching me, a mixture of awe and amusement hidden in their blue depths, more than just a few shades lighter than mine "However if I ever stand to oppose the throne, I expect your swords to be aimed at my throat" they glanced at each other, eyebrows furrowed from me blatantly asking them to kill me if I was to defy the King. My gaze was locked with that of Nixon, his green eyes shining with pride and admiration as I continued "As your Commander, if I am to take part in an honorable trial by combat, you are not to interfere" they knew exactly what I was getting at, the dishonorable way their prior Commander had died. I would not die without honor by having them jump in to come to my aid. My eyes flickered from blue to black as they stared at Nixtoni "Do I make myself clear?" I demanded and they rose in unison, banging their spears against the marble as the words 'Yes, Commander!' rung out around us. My wolf and I were dominant, we ruled over them but we also knew that our life was in their king's hands. they were my warriors to command but I was his pawn to use which means that I could never dare to oppose him. I turned on my heels and stalked past Zane, my cape fluttering along with the sudden movement as the double doors were drawn open for me to leave. Zane followed, moving at my side with his hands clutched behind his back and a small smile touching his lips "You're too tense" he said from beside me. I shot him a look as we rounded a corner, heading down the hall and in the direction of the Courtyard where I was planning on having some modifications made to my armor to ensure that I had enough flexibility and speed to be able to preform like I usually would in combat "It is my job to be tense" I uttered, watching the suits of armor pass by as we moved along the halls. The paintings were oil based and framed in wood that was hand carved by various artists from across the continent of Myres "It is your job-." he stopped, turning to face me and placing emphasis on the word 'job' "To whip these men into suitable warriors, capable of defending the Capital" I too had stopped dead in my tracks, my head turned to the side to take in his features. He grinned, showing off his set of perfectly straight, white teeth as his eyes lit up with excitement "But today is a day of celebration" gold strands of blonde hair hung into his eyes, the sides cropped short but the top was left long, long enough for his blue eyes to stand out against their pale color. His skin was a trademark of the North, as white as mine but just as flawless as light hairs began to grown on his chin, neck and upper lip "So take a step back-." he moved towards me, one large step that forced me to move away from him until my back connected with the wall and he was stood directly in front of me. He placed one hand on the wall beside my head and leaned down so that his nose was almost touching mine "Take a deep breath-." for the second time in two days, I felt like he was going to kiss me, to touch me and my heart began to beat faster in my chest. My eyes searched his as I took a deep breath in through my nose and let it out through slightly parted lips but not because he had instructed me too, because in that moment I felt like I couldn't breathe "And stop taking things too seriously" at his words, he stepped back, his hands slipping down from the wall and falling to his side. I stood stunned, my hands clenched at my sides and my heart raging as I tried to get my breathing back under control. My eyes flickered like they had before when I kept looking at him "Why do your eyes change color?" he asked as if nothing had happened, his head slightly tilted to the side as he inspected them. My hands opened, placed palm down against the wall while I turned my head away, looking down at the floor, at my armored boots "My eyes are blue-." I muttered, my hands clawing at the wall, nails extending to lightly graze the stone. I could feel my eyes change color again, the irises becoming black as my wolf attempted to see through my eyes, looking up at him with interest and curiosity "And my wolf's are black" they faded back to blue and Zane's flickered from my one eye to the other before he nodded once. He glanced down the hall and motioned with his hand towards the end of it "Shall we?" we walked in silence for the rest of the trip to the Courtyard where men were hard at work managing the castle as they had been the day before. I breathed in then let it out in a puff of white spoke as snow flakes fell around us, coating the world in a fresh layer of white. I made for the armory but froze when I overheard two men having a conversation nearby "Did you hear? The new Commander is a woman" I had stopped just short of the armory doors and could see Aron's father hard at work inside through the crack in the door, beating metal and dunking it into oil to harden the steel. Zane paused behind me, his back barely brushing up against mine when he realized that I'd stopped "A woman? Bet she can't fight like that Edmir fellow could" Zane's eyes turned to the two men who had yet to notice us, his hears trained on the path their casual conversation would take "The people say she's soft on the eyes" the first man added as he loaded some hay, imported from the South onto a cart. The second man chuckled deeply, a throaty sound as he raised his hands to motion towards his chest, hands cupped as if gripping a set of breasts "So it's because she'd got fat in all the right places" the first man joined in the laughter. I was about to keep moving and refrain from wasting my time with those two when the first man spoke again, his words echoing in my ears "Hard to think that kind of body can hold in a fight" I moved to approach them, one foot crunching in the snow with my fists balled at my sides, claws digging into my palms at their sexist banter but Zane was the first to do something about it "Gentleman" he said, his words causing me to halt. The two looked up, their eyes growing wide at the sight of the second born Prince. One of the men dropped his hay while the other looked frantically between the two of us "As a man who honors a lady, I would like to give the Commander a chance to prove herself" I looked up at Zane with hard eyes, one quirked as I wondered what he was getting at. He smiled faintly down at me then turned to address a nearby Knight "Fetch me my sword" the Knight bowed then fled into the castle. I had no idea how to properly use a sword if he was intending for me to use it against one of them. I could barely shoot an arrow, preferring to use my claws instead of man made weapons "My Prince, we meant no ill words towards the lady-." the first man was cut off by Zane's raised hand, a hand that silenced the words around him. Everyone in the Courtyard had gone still from the commotion, their focus placed on us and the scene that was being made. The Knight returned with the sword, a sword that had a golden hilt and was double edged. The Knight knelt on one knee when presenting it to the Prince, who took it as if it was nothing more than an extension of himself. He examined the blade, polished to make it shine and twisted it this way then that. He turned to me, took a step back and aimed the tip of the weapon directly at my chest or more particularly, the soft spot at the nape of my neck "I, Prince Zaniel of the white bear of Myres, challange you, lady Blythe Redwood, Commander of the Royal guard to a duel" I had not been expecting him to challenge me, not been expecting him to press his blade to my chest. The two men stood shocked while a few other people gasped and the knelt Knight stiffened, his eyes filled with horror as he looked at me, memories from the day before most likely replaying in the back of his mind. It was clear to me that he had been there, that he had seen me give into my wolf and slaughter those men as if they were nothing but helpless prey. I didn't want to hurt Zane, I didn't want to loose control like that again but if pushed my wolf would take control and I would be left completely helpless to the situation but at the same time, I knew why he was challenging me. Prince Zane was one of the most skilled fighters in the Capital, if I could stand my ground against him, I could stand my ground against anyone and prove to the men that I was as good a fighter as any of them. My wolf stirred in the back of my mind, I could sense that she too was fond of Zane and would prefer not to hurt him if she could. My eyes roamed his features, from his playfully narrowed eyes to his grinning lips as my hand moved to push his blade to the side, away from my chest "I, Blythe Redwood, ninth Commander of the Royal Guard, accept your challenge"

Blythe.

We stood across from each other in the center of the Courtyard, flecks of snow falling around us, our feet crunching into the fresh layer of white as we moved, slowly circling each other. Zane had his sword in hand, moving in the opposite direction as me, watching me carefully as the rest of the world around us looked on in both excitement and fear. I knew that from his formal training he would never strike first since it more often than not would put you at a disadvantage. This meant that if anything was going to happen, I had to make the first move, but that could mean him gaining the upper hand. My steps were slow, calculated, one foot in front of the other, eyes locked onto him, flickering from blue to black every few steps. My wolf was there, she was ready and she wanted to play, not really viewing Zane as a threat but as a playmate, a companion. I stopped abruptly, my eyes locked onto him, already knowing what path of action to take. I wanted to get his sword out of the way, to disarm him but that meant that I needed to get in close. I lunged and he swung his blade for me but I managed to grab hold on his hand that was placed on the hilt and stopped the weapon from grazing my skin. I raised my leg, placed my foot flat against his chest and kicked hard, sending him staggering back a few steps. My initial thought was that he would let go of the hilt but instead he held on and I lost my grip. The sword slipped from my hand, the blade slicing into the palm of my hand until it was completely out of my reach. I gritted my teeth, blood dripping down onto the snow as Zane regained his footing, weapon once again aimed for me with its steel covered in a coat of my blood. I swung my hand at my side, the blood splattering around me as the wounds started healing back up. His blade wasn't made of silver. My mind raced with thoughts, until it came to me. I reached back and tore the cape from my armor, tossing the black material into the air between us. He reacted just as I was expecting him too, slicing through it and giving me enough time to move forward, my hands grabbing the wrist of his that was holding onto his sword. We locked eyes as I began to twist his wrist, causing him extreme pain from where the bone was starting to come apart, starting to break. He cried out, a strangled, deep sound that was followed by my claws cluttering against the hilt of the sword when it fell from his hand. I moved back, tossing the blade into the air where it spun a few times then caught it, twirling it as if it was nothing more than a stick, trying to show off. Zane clutched his wrist, a grin spreading over his lips as he watched me, amusement layered in the depths of his eyes that seemed like ice in that moment. I tossed the sword aside, well out of his reach and moved my legs apart so that I took on a fighting stands, my body turned slightly sideways. He lashed at me when my eyes caught sight of movement to one side. Aron had stepped into the doorway of the armory to see what all the commotion was about, his torso bare as he leaned against the doorway, his hair a mess and his eyes lazy. In the split second of me looking at him, Zane managed to get the upper hand, sending blow after blow in my direction. I managed to dodge most of them but couldn't see what he was really after until his hand had my wrist and I was being turned so that my arm was pinned against my back, his front pressing up against my spine. He chuckled, his breath tickling my ear when his legs moved to push my legs apart, setting my feet wide spread as his free hand gripped my neck, pushing down hard and forcing me to bend over. My ass was pressed firmly up against his groin as my head hung almost upside down, eyes locked onto our tangled legs and the snow. I gritted my teeth. How was I going to get out of that bind? It was then that my eyes found my feet and I could finally breathe, my muscles starting to relax enough for me to fall into a split. My feet slid in the snow until I was sat in it. The sudden movement caught Zane off guard and he let go of my arm. I brought my legs together in front of me and rolled onto my back, in between his legs so that I was staring up at him from below. He looked back at me from over my shoulder to catch a glimpse of the sinister glint in my eyes before I raised my lower half and managed to hit him square in the jaw with my foot. My other leg came up when he moved to grip his nose and sent a blow to his stomach. He stumbled back until he was completely away from me and I used my shoulders to throw my body into the air, landing in a crouched position among the blanket of ivory. Zane let go of his face, blood dripping down from his nose as I looked at him. He was enjoying it, not in a way similar to how Aron would. Aron was a man who enjoyed the pain but Zane simply was having fun. My eyes began to glow a bright blue, one flickering to black when my wolf grew impatient, wanting to set free, to play and run around. He charged and I leaped onto my feet, dancing away from him, blocking his arms when he would try to attack and dodging his blows until we were moving around the Courtyard, together in what seemed like a never ending waltz. I pushed back, digging my right hand into the material of his coat then turned, twirling around him until our backs met then continued until I was once again stood in front of him, tugging his coat onto my arms and shoulders. I flipped the collar up and shot him a brilliant, daring smile as he stood stunned from what had just happened. The look on his face was enough to draw a laugh from my lips. I threw my head back, fangs protruding as I laughed, a sound that echoed throughout the world around us. Zane smiled and was on top of me in an instant, his arm hooking underneath my one knee to send me tumbling back into the snow. We were no longer fighting but fooling around since he set me down gently then got on top of me as I struggled, pinning my hands down on either side of my head. I fought against him, but couldn't think straight as I grinned up at him. My leg moved to hook around his waist and in one strong movement I was the one on top. He had let go of one of my wrists in the process and I could reach for his sword that was covered in snow nearby, aiming it at his throat "I win" I said, my breath coming out as white air as I slowly began to sit back on his lap, breathing hard with my hair coming undone from its braid and my chest heaving. His coat was too big for my frame and hung down one of my shoulders as I looked up at the sky and smiled, my canines exposed for all to see. I let the sword drop from my hand, the metal silently falling into the snow beside us as a breath of laughter escaped me. My arms hung limply at my sides, the heat from our joined bodies rising up from my core as he propped himself up onto his elbows to more clearly look at me. Our eyes met and it was as if the world around us stopped existing, there was only us. My eyes changed to back and my wolf took over, leaning down with our hands gripping the front of his shirt. She moved closer, lips parted with our breath fanning his face. I pulled back, forcing her down into the depths of my mind, eyes returning to blue as I stood, my hand held out to help him up from the ground. I refused to look at him as he gazed up at me with furrowed brows. My wolf was attracted to him, she wanted him because his blood was so similar to Nixon's but also because he knew exactly what to say and when to say it. Zane took hold of my hand and I helped him up, letting go of his hand the moment he was on his own two feet. It would be a lie to say that he wasn't someone I valued as well which only made things worse. My gaze locked onto that of Aron, still leaning against the door frame but he immediately averted his eyes. My heart squeezed when the memory of his rejection surfaced in the back of my mind "You are wounded, Huntsman?" I turned to look at Zane when he spoke, following his eyes to the stitched wound on Aron's chest from where I had managed to strike him with his own arrow. Aron glanced down at his chest, arms crossed and rolled his shoulders as if the wound was nothing "Courtesy of the wolf" Aron replied, his eyes flickering over to me but as soon as they took me in they were once again focused somewhere else, this time staring emotionless at his Prince. Zane moved to stand at my side, a knowing smile lighting up his lips "She's a feisty one alright" my eyes turned to the world around me, to the two men who had been conversing before, now standing speechless to the others, all staring at me like I was some type of monster. A few of them dared to whisper that I was a wolf, motioning to my extended claws and canines. I needed to get away from all of the attention, I needed to escape. My gaze fell onto a small form moving through the still crowd, one that I instantly recognized "Mila-!" I called out to her, my voice piercing in the silence of the Courtyard. She stopped and turned to address me, her arms filled with dirty sheets and curtains. She lowered her head to show her respect and asked in a cautious tone "My lady?" I shifted in my stands, my hands balling at my sides as I fought the urge not to stop my next words from coming out. My eyes flickered to Aron, meeting his eyes for a split second before I spoke "Please tend to the Hunter's wound for me" her brown doe eyes moved from me to Aron, a pink tint covering her cheeks as she tightened her hold on the sheets in her arms. I could feel Zane watching me, carefully studying me while Mila nodded "Yes, lady Redwood" she hurried across the Courtyard and into the armory, her small frame pushing past Aron to set the sheets down inside. Aron looked at me as he slowly pushed off the door frame and disappeared into the heat of the wooden building. Zane leaned closer to me so that his lips were brushing against the shell of my ear when he whispered "What are you up to?" the Knight from before had moved to scoop the abandoned sword up from the ground as I shot Zane a look then entered the armory to have my armor looked at like I had originally intended. The Prince was right there beside me when the old man noticed me and stepped away from his son who was seated in front of the hearth with Mila looming overhead, her small hands dressing his wound "Commander, my Prince" he greeted us, his head bobbing once as he wiped his hands clean on an old rag. I shrugged Zane's jacket off and held it out for him to take. He took it but refrained from tugging it onto his shoulders, instead tossing it over the back of a nearby chair "It's too restricting" got straight to the point, motioning to the layers of metal and chain mail that was wrapped around my chest, hips, arms and feet. He glanced over my armor and shook his head from side to side, slowly "With all due respect Commander, any less and you'd be better off fighting in the nude" I would've preferred fighting naked but I couldn't possibly roam the castle halls and attend meeting without being dressed. I turned my back to him and motioned to the ties and buckles that held the armor in place "Do you mind?" he looked me over, swallowing hard but eventually reached out to undo them, taking a step back once they were undone. I looked up, meeting Zaniel's eyes as I removed the chest plate, exposing me to his eyes. He tried his best to avert his eyes but when I handed him the chest plate and reached for his coat, he no longer could control himself. I tugged the coat onto my body and began tying the buttons until my chest was completely covered from the neck down to above my crotch. I bent down, stepping out of the armored skirt, letting it fall to the hay and dirt as I tied the rest of the buttons to just above mid-thigh. I turned, stepping out of the boots and stood naked apart from Zane's coat and Nixon's necklace "I prefer fabrics to metals" I said, turning to glance up at Zane. He could tell what I was silently asking him from just looking at me. The tail of his coat was split down the middle and the black fabric had gold detailing that stood out against the dark background "It suits you" he replied, his head nodding once in response. A silent yes that filled the room as I gripped the sleeves in my hands. It was a piece of expensive clothing that had Mila looking on with wide eyes, her mouth hung slightly open "Keep it" reaching out a hand, Zaniel ran the backs of his fingers along my cheekbone to tuck a stray strand of silvery hair back, behind my ear. I quickly turned, my skin tingling from his touch and looked to the old man with an apologetic gleam in my hard eyes "My apologies" my gaze went from him to Mila then to Aron, my head bowing slightly as I began to retreat, spinning on my heels to strike from the armory, heading for the castle with Zane deciding to stay behind. I rounded the corner of one of the halls and leaned against the wall, my breathing hard, my head spinning with anger and frustration as Aron's behavior reflected in the depths of my mind. Mila's hand gripping his shoulder, her body so close to his that his face could almost touch her small breasts. I gritted my teeth and on impulse, I began moving, my feet carrying me in a singular direction until I was running down the corridors, my hair and the material of the coat flaring out behind me as I hurried to the East wing of the castle.