Sappho's Commando

TWENTY (RUBY POV)

"What's so funny?" I ask upset and the pretty Spanish lady shakes her head.

"Nothing," she answers holding back a smile but can't help fixing her eyes on our entwined fingers. The truth is that I held her hand without thinking a minute ago, it was a reflex movement... we were walking down the street, window-shopping, and it happened. I frown, staring at her with suspicion. I'm sure she's making fun of me.

"Do you want me to let go of your hand? You can walk alone..."

"No, of course not. I'm very happy with this situation..."

"Yes, you look very pleased with yourself," I cut her off abruptly and her grin grows wider. I sigh frustrated and tug her hand to drag ger to a café when I realize that it's starting to rain. This is Scotland, after all, rain is always an inevitable part of the visit. "Let's go to The Milkman, they have the best coffee in Edinburgh and the cinnamon rolls and lemon tart are delicious."

"Sounds good," Iselen follows me meekly, carrying our bags, and smiles when she spots the picturesque building in a corner. "I can't wait to sit down. I don't understand how I can march for hours carrying a heavy rucksack but feel exhausted after a morning shopping in the city." I can't help chuckling because I feel the same.

"We visited the castle too and walked all over the old town, it's been hours since we took a break to rest," I answer pointing at the wooden stools in front of a window from which we'll have a wonderful view of the street. "Decaf latte for the sniper?" I ask smiling because I know that Iselen tries to control her caffeine intake and she orders tea often instead of coffee. She told me once that, this way, she keeps a steady hand to shoot, but I don't know if she was joking.

"Yes, please."

Lieutenant colonel sits down, puts the bags under the table and grabs her phone, I guess she's sending texts to her family, while I wait for the waitress to get our drinks ready, checking what pastries are available and picking a cinnamon roll, pain au chocolat and a piece of lemon tart. I take a look back over my shoulder but Iselen remains on her seat, her eyes fixed on the screen, focusing on reading with a hint of smile on her lips. Her reddish-brown hair falls over her forehead and she brushes it away with her hand, absentmindedly, leaning her worn our boot on a metal bar under the table, moving her heel up and down...

I don't understand why all her gestures seem so fascinating to me. It's true that I'm not used to this: having guests at home, walking around the city holding hands with a woman not caring about who's looking at us, going shopping without feeling guilty because I inherited loads of money, waking up lying in bed next to a hot soldier that has fun tickling me till she hears me screaming and laughing out loud. I'm not used to go on dates but I can't say that I've been reclusive and unsocial either. I don't know what's so special about Iselen but everything seems different, easy and great fun when she's around. Even the prospect of returning to the old manor and meeting my family doesn't seem that bad because I know that the best warrior in this world is going to watch my back.

The waitress clears her throat and I turn my head to look at her, startled. The drinks are ready on a small tray along with our pastries. I grab my credit card to pay and, suddenly, I can feel her standing behind me. The pretty Spaniard takes the tray and goes back to the table while I wait for the receipt. It's strange, I always know where Iselen is, I've been trained to have a sharp situational awareness but, in this case, it's something more instinctive: I can smell her perfume, feeling her warmth even if she's not close to me, I'd recognize her voice and the way she moves among a crowd of women.

And, as usual, the perfect soldier was right. Kissing her was not a mistake, time flies when I'm with her, sex is amazing and, so far, I didn't ruin my career nor lost my new friends, despite they all know that we're together. None of them is judging me, nobody is criticising me. In fact, it's the opposite: our sisters support us, they protect us from the Valkyrie's fury and are happy for us. I don't know what I've done to be so lucky but I'm willing to enjoy it for as long as I can, despite I'm terrified of losing everything I've achieved... and of losing her.