Falling for a Fanalis

Chapter 2: The Confession

It wasn't that I disliked exercise... Truthfully I enjoyed it immensely; running through a forest after a brisk rain shower and feeling the cool grass under my feet... This however...was tiresome...

I groaned as I rose from the ground where I had landed, wincing as my rear end twinged unpleasantly. I glared up at my sparring partner, who looked as impassive as always. His red eyes seemed to hold no visible emotion, but I could tell that inwardly he was laughing at me.

"That was too rough Masrur," I hissed, gingerly getting to my feet and attempting to dust myself off. I had little success as the dirt was easily sticking to my sweaty skin. The large man chuckled at my sour expression as I leaned against a nearby tree. "I'm done for today... I'll be lucky if I don't have any bruises... Unlike you, Mr. Rock Wall..." Masrur laughed in his quiet way at my comment as he wiped his own lightly sweating brow.

"You don't give yourself enough credit," he said, walking over and flopping down on the ground next to where I stood. He pointed to a spot on his bicep and gave me a wink. "I'm sure that I'll have a bruise here in the morning," he said. I snarled at him in annoyance and kicked out at his leg, which he didn't bother to move.

"You probably shouldn't have done that..." said the Fanalis, as I clutched at my foot. His legs were so dense with muscle that they felt like iron, and kicking one had definitely been a bad idea... I gave a small frustrated scream and limped angrily away from him.

"Where are you going?" he called after me, starting to get up. I growled angrily but didn't look back.

"I'm going to the spring to clean up!"

I wasn't really mad about the sparring or hurting my foot... No... I was upset for a more complex reason..s.

I had been drawn to Masrur the very moment I first set eyes on him, an attraction that he also felt. The very night of my arrival in Sindria, we had come together so passionately that even the memory of it gave me pleasurable chills. I knew our connection went beyond mere physical attraction, but...

I sighed as I reached the clear spring and and began to strip out of my sweaty clothing. Stepping into the refreshingly cool water, I stared up at pale blue sky, my mind awash with worries and my heart with fear...

It had been nearly a whole year since I had arrived in Sindria and met Masrur... And while our relationship has continued to progress, much to the joy of the King and the rest of his generals, there was one hurdle we hadn't get crossed. Well...he hadn't anyway...

"I wonder...will he ever love me...?" I said quietly as I stood in the shallows of the spring. I felt tears beginning to form in the corners of my eyes and quickly shook my head. I dove into the water and swam across to the other side, where a small waterfall cascaded into the spring. I stood under the flow, allowing the cool water to sweep away the grime on my skin.

Suddenly I was pulled backwards against something hard and warm. For a split second I panicked, preparing to turn on whoever it was, but when I scented the air I realized it was only Masrur. I sighed as he hugged me tightly against his chest and laid his chin on my bare shoulder. My heart was thumping wildly in my chest as it always did when we came into contact like this, but it was also in fear that he had somehow heard me... Finally he spoke, nuzzling my neck and giving me a gentle but firm squeeze.

"Sabine..." he said quietly, the warmth of his breath tickling my neck and making me shiver. His large hands slid gently over my stomach, making it clench and my breath hitch. Masrur pressed his lips to my neck in a gentle kiss.

"Yes...?" I whispered, surprised at his suddenly show of affection. The big man was usually so stoic and reserved.

"Sabine... You haven't figured it out yet...?" he said. My heart felt like it stopped at his words. Did he mean...?