Finding The Courage

Part 11

"You tried to punch me in the face a few weeks ago." I stated in a breathy voice still floating in the rush of endorphins I had gotten from his lips. He nodded, still keeping his eyes on me. I knew pulling away from him wasn't possible but as a gust of wind rushed past me blowing my hair around and chilling me to the bone I pulled closer to him in an attempt to steal some of his body heat.

"You challenged me in front of all of the new initiates. I have two ways of dealing with a challenge to my authority. One of them is to fight. But you were quick on your feet, and despite watching my cruelty to others and having been warned to stay away from me you continued to challenge me. You had no fear in your eyes when you faced an opponent that you knew could take you down in one punch. I have never met a girl who is so reckless but so kind hearted. You intrigued me." He admitted while running his fingers through my long hair. He looked back up to the sky as he kept talking. "I know Four is chasing after you, Peter too has taken an interest in you. I don't like being in competition with others but neither Four nor I can engage in a relationship with an initiate while you're going through initiation. Peter is the only one who has a real chance right now and you seem to dislike him almost as much as I do." He met my eyes again.

"Would you still chase me if it wasn't a competition?" I mused more to myself than to him. I knew Eric and Four were in constant competition. Eric snorted and ruffled my hair.

"You're too interesting to not chase after." He muttered against my lips before kissing me again. I settled into his embrace this time, allowing him to pull me flush against his chest as he cupped my face. His lips traveled to my forehead, the tip of my nose, my throat and back to my lips as I let out breathy moans for only his ears. I was surprised he didn't push for anything more, he did have a reputation of being a bit of a whore among the women in the faction.

Finally the sun started to cause the sky to light up. I had fallen asleep against his chest after several more heated kisses from him. I was still weary of him but my body had taken over and shut me down. Eric shook me lightly pressing a kiss on my forehead.

"Come on now little one it's time for you to get up and back to the others before anyone notices you're missing." I nodded and rubbed my eyes shifting out of his lap and up onto my feet. He led me by hand down the stairs and back across the Chasm. Before he dropped my hand he pulled me close to him one last time.

"Four might get to be the one to take your innocence or maybe even Peter but I will ruin all other men for you after that. You will be mine. I promise you that." He whispered in my ear before turning away to go back to his own room. I was shocked at his declaration, he had so blatantly decided that one of the others could have me but he would be the one to settle down with me. A giggle spilled from my lips as I headed back to my own bed. I plopped down and slept a few more hours before I heard the distinct sound of Four creeping into the room. I felt a hand brush my forehead and a light kiss before I decided to meet his eyes.

"Get up to train with me. You start the second stage today but not until later." I nodded and didn't even bother changing out of the shirt I was in, slipping on joggers and sneakers. I was braiding my hair as I left the room finding Four leaning against the door.

"Where did you and Tris go last night?" He questioned. I laughed as we started walking towards the gym.

"We went skylining through the city. I know you're too afraid to do something like that." 

I playfully shoved him. We reached the gym and began as we did every morning. At some point Eric came in to watch us as he worked out himself. He had a small smirk on his face the entire time, checking me out every chance he got even though Four had growled at him to keep his eyes off me. I ignored the two as they bickered, I kept my eyes on my target as I sent knife after knife sailing dead center into the target. I had gotten used to tuning out other people and I began cleaning up my mess as the men behind me continued to shout at each other. I however had not been aware of the verbal sparring match turning into a physical one.

I felt my body fly forward just as the knives had left my hand to be placed back on the table with the others. I turned around to find Four next to me on the floor having taken a hard punch to the gut from Eric. I helped Four up and turned to Eric.

"You couldn't have aimed his body in any other direction?" I stalked towards him and shoved my finger into his chest. I glared up at him while rubbing my side which was most definitely going to be bruised. He smiled down at me.

"Quiet feisty today aren't we little one? Even after such a long night?" I felt myself being picked up from behind, knowing Four was getting ready to punch Eric again.

"How would you know if she had a long night or not?" He demanded.

"You think you're the only one who keeps tabs on the initiates? Or who has favorites?" Eric mused while smirking at both of us. Four had protectively placed himself in front of me now. He didn't know Eric had a soft spot for me and was expecting him to lunge at me again like he had in the past. I snorted at their behavior and headed for the door.

" I have the second stage to get ready for. Whatever you're fighting about, leave me out of it." I shouted behind me as I headed back to the dorms to take a shower.