unnerving
She made it back in time for training. It was Julian's first day to train with her security detail, and she knew he was looking forward to it.
Damous didn't speak much, and when he did, it was to bark out orders to the other men. He was about the same size as Kellum, but that's where the similarities ended.
His eyes were so dark blue they looked black. His white hair was nearly three inches long, which was long for their kind. He wasn't as pale as some of the others, but his face was all sharp angles, so he seemed harsh and judgmental.
Or at least that's how he came across to her. That could be more from his abrasive attitude than his looks. His arms were always crossed and when he looked at a person, it was like he was trying to steal their souls away.
She took one look at Studdermist and she told Dez to get rid of him. His disdain for Julian was in every look he gave the other guy.
The only reason he wasn't in the bottom of a giant hole was because her guy pleaded the other man's case.
Maybe it wasn't easy to see their queen with another man, but she refused to have Julian pay the price. Studdermist got sent away and Jess refused another to be sent in his place.
After threatening the others to the same fate, she found herself a corner to sit in so she could watch her guy sweat.
Julian has come a long way from the gangly basketball player. Now he was a kick ass machine.
Dra carried more weight than Julian, but he was quick too. Herns was nearly as large as Godrick but his size slowed him down. Julian had no trouble keeping up with them.
Dezrick questioned. "My Queen, should you not be training? Damous has also been put in charge of your combat education."
"I don't know why I would bother. I suck. Plus, how is he going to train me if he can't touch me? Plus, with my superpowers, why do I need to know how to fight?"
"It is required of all of our people, my Queen. You could beg out, but would you want to when it is required of everyone else?"
"You think you're smart, don't you, Dez?"
"I do, my Queen. As smart as my smartest__."
"Save it, I've heard it. Okay, let's get this over with. Once you see they can't touch me, then I can go back to watching Julian looking hot."
Dez must have notified Damous that she was ready because he stopped watching the others and came her way.
"I should warn you; this is going to hurt you more than it hurts me." She taunted him with a smile.
"My Queen, I will record this for study purposes. Do I have your permission?"
"Since when do you care if I want you to or not?" She asked, her wrist band as she walked around Damous trying to look intimidating.
"You are correct that I am always recording with all available cameras but since I am recording with the sole purpose of studying it, my King thought it appropriate to ask your permission."
"Whatever."
She didn't even bother to get in a stance. She just waved him to attack.
For a long moment she fought to catch her breath. Then she glared up at him from on her back. Not only did he flip her over his shoulder, but he'd done it effortlessly and so quick she still didn't know how it happened.
Guess he was one of the few who could touch her. Crap baked on a stick. That meant she'd have to train.
Julian grin down at her. "Ouch, babe. You still suck."
"Bite me."
"It's a promise." He offered her his hand.
"Dra, you're next." She ordered.
He was much better looking than the other two and he barely had his hands on her before he was doubled over in pain. "Yes! I've still got it. Herns, you're next."
He tried a sneaky approach and didn't even try to touch her. Jumping down, he used a leg to sweep her legs out from under her.
Fuck it hurt, but thankfully it hurt him more.
She was grinning at Julian when he helped her up this time. "Two out of three, not bad. I did in two seconds what you couldn't do in thirty minutes."
"Bite me."
"It's a promise."
Dra bowed his head. "Very impressive, my Queen. We have seen nothing like it. Why do you suppose it did not work on, Damous?"
She looked at the stern dude. His face was even more pronounce because he was frowning. "Because he doesn't have a soul?"
"My Queen, could it be because he is a royal?"
"Hell, if I know." Was her answer for Dez. "The New Rulers can touch me, and now that I think about it, Pensley could always touch me."
"My Queen, do I have your permission to call in Alric? We would like to do an experiment."
"What the hell, why not?"
If she'd known Kellum would be the one who brought him, she would have given Dez a different answer.
For the most part, she tried to ignore him as everyone played toss Jess on her ass. Not only was Alric not allowed to touch her, but neither was Leeze. Another royal. His gift was telekinesis, and he looked barely fifteen. When he tried to use his powers on her, he instantly started hurting.
After him, Kellum raised his hand, and everyone backed away from her. "That is enough. Damous, see to her training."
"High and mighty has spoken."
Luckily, Kellum had already left, and her guards had moved away so she didn't worry about anyone over hearing Julian's remark.
Damous was a good distance away, but she found it unnerving how he was staring at them.
"Let's get out of here." She suggested.
"We still have over an hour to go, but I'm not disagreeing with you. I don't feel so good. My skin is crawling, and it's like I'm getting freaked out, but I'm not sure why."
Before she could turn to Julian, she heard Damous' hiss of pain and saw him look at his wrist. The same time Julian moaned and cussed.
"What the fu_?"
Jess grabbed Julian and took them to April's horse farm.
"...ck?"
She slapped her hand over Julian's mouth. "Dezrick, we are fine, but we're going off air right now. Tell him to stay away or I'm going to be pissed." With that, she sent both their wrist bands to their room, so they didn't have to worry about prying ears.
His eyes were wide as he stared at his wrist. "What the fuck?"
The red and the heat were already gone, and a black mate mark was left behind. Wavy, curvy lines. All she could do is stare at it too.
