Asami's Shadow (Ryoma's POV)

Chapter 40

I frowned as I awoke from the best dream I'd had in a while.  Considering it only made my hunger for Sayomi worse, I opted to work off some steam.  I dressed and strapped on my sword, usually I had little use for it and would leave it behind except on days like these.  However, since Sayomi came, I always had it with me.  Whether it was to protect myself from her or protect her from others, I wasn't quite sure.

I heard the sound of swordplay, that quickly ceased as I entered the weapons room.  I paused seeing Sayomi holding her twin blades behind her back as she was watching me.  Yes, she will enjoy the new ones.  I'm happy she still has both to be honest...

I crossed the room and slowly drew mine, to which she smiled.  She patiently matched me as I walked to circle her until I struck out.  She dodged and met my blade with one of her own.  She was fast and her strength unreal as she matched my blows and struck with a few of her own.

Damn, if she wasn't beautiful while doing it.  Expertly, she used her right arm to defend and her left to attack.  I couldn't figure out if either was weaker than the other, but soon found out neither were as she switched naturally.  I began to tire and she wasn't slowing, but found an opportunity meeting the blade she was defending with and disarming her.

She smirked, but it did little to weaken her as she was equally as good with one.  She met my blow and sent my blade flying which caught me completely off guard.  No one had disarmed me since... well since she left.  I caught her wrist as she went to deal the final strike, thoughtlessly I shoved her into the wall by her neck.

I heard her sword clatter to the ground, but was trapped by her dancing eyes.  She wasn't afraid and didn't even seem hurt as I let go of her arm and lightened the hold her neck.  I could feel the rise of fall of her chest and her breath on my face as she searched my eyes.

I couldn't help myself when I kissed her lips.  She was startled and tried to turn her head, but I caught her hair to taste her more.  She was sweet, the salt of her sweat mingling with it.  She relented as she kissed me back and my heart soared.

I pulled her hair to taste more of her as she gasped and she met my tongue flawlessly.  So, not a stranger to this then...  I wanted more of her and pressed her into the wall, but she jumped, biting my tongue when the door opened.  I reluctantly stepped away, why did someone have to interrupt?

She was dazed and gasping for breath as she tried to process, but whoever came in clearly wasn't here to train.  So, I went to get my sword and she moved to retrieve hers.  A servant girl paused, looking between us, but she clearly didn't see anything since she just smiled at me before bowing.  "My Lord, my empress requests your presence in her chambers."

I felt Sayomi watching me as I shook my head. "If she would like to speak with me then she can do so in a more public place. It is not fit for a man to meet a woman where she sleeps."

I turned to her as the girl went away.  Does she hate me?  Would she even consider...