Broken heart of a warrior

Chapter 5

"C'mon Blade, you're cheating! You can't distract enemies with kisses. That's just not right. Damn it." I throw my knife on the floor, the metallic clang echoing through the combat room. The scent of sweat and adrenaline hangs thick in the air, mingling with the faint tang of the old training mats. My heart is still pounding—not just from the fight, but from the simmering tension that refuses to leave me.

"C'mon Alina, it's just practice. Don't be such a party pooper. I know you like my kisses because they are just so sweet and sexy." He grins, that infuriating smirk that somehow burrows under my skin. My hands tighten into fists at my sides, but—ugh—I feel a strange heat creeping into my chest. Why does he have to be so annoyingly distracting? Men are the worst, I swear.

We were in the combat room, meant to release pinned-up frustration and sharpen focus, yet Blade seems determined to turn it into a ridiculous circus of teasing. Every time I have him in a position where he should surrender, he finds a way to kiss me. Feet, arms, even—yes, my feet—he kissed my feet when I had him in a death grip. Who does that in the middle of combat? Only Blade. Only him. My brain simultaneously wants to scream in anger and laugh at the absurdity.

"Don't call me that. I'm Kendra now! I think you are just a chicken; you just don't want to lose to a girl, do you? I had you several times, but no, you couldn't surrender, could you?" I grab a towel, wiping the sweat from my face, irritation mingling with a reluctant awareness that he's somehow testing me beyond combat.

"Well darling, you..." he begins, but in a blur, he's beside me, sliding my sunglasses into my hands. His voice drops to a whisper: "Someone is coming."

I freeze. Teeth grit together, pulse spiking. How did I not notice someone approaching? The training room, my sanctuary, my control zone... and I've lost focus here? This is bad, very bad.

I snatch the glasses from his hand and slide them on just as the door opens. A lackey steps in, bowing slightly.

"I'm sorry to interrupt, but you are needed in the Throne Room. His Highness Prince Alessandros is waiting for you."

The words slam into me like a truck. My chest tightens, stomach flips. Breath catches. I can't move, can't think. I want to run, to disappear into the walls of this castle and never look back. And yet... I cannot. Master depends on me. My mission is bigger than my emotions.

A flood of memories hits—five years of absence, betrayal, longing—they crash over me, leaving me gasping. I chant in my head, a mantra to steel myself: Brave Warrior; brave Warrior... good Warrior; bad Warrior...

Blade's hand brushes my cheek. "Are you alright?"

"Yes! Damn, I think I need new sunglasses. Don't you think?" I snap, forcing my voice casual. He doesn't press. Just smiles. "I'll see what I can do."

We leave for the Throne Room. I mentally prepare, adjusting my guns and knives after a hot shower. A knock. I snatch my shades and call, "Come in."

Master steps in, calm and imposing. He moves toward the window, surveying the gardens before speaking: "Alina, I brought you some more pills. Take one now. Your scent needs to be masked well, and here are the others for the next few days."

I take one with trembling hands, feeling the weight of his gaze. "Thank you, Master." My voice is small. I look away, sliding my katana onto my back.

He beckons me to sit on the bed. "What you will see in the Throne Room will be very hard... painfully hard... for you. It will take a lot from you to control your wolf and emotions so that you can remain in control."

His hands are firm on my cheeks, forcing me to meet his eyes. He knows me better than I know myself.

"Don't worry, Master. I hate him and my step-sister enough to control that beast in me," I try to assure him. Even I don't fully believe it.