The Border Trilogy (Book #1) Enemies to lovers, Forbidden love

Part 22

I woke up to Cassandra stroking my forehead.

"Eva honey, wake up."

"Mmm, good morning," I said as my eyes fluttered open.

"Honey, Darien is here to walk you to the training grounds." she said softly and stood up and moved to the side revealing Darien standing behind her.

"Morning," he smiled.

"Hey," I smiled and sat up. "I wish I would've known you were coming, I would've fixed myself up."

He chuckled, "There's no need for that, you look fine."

"Well still, I need to go wash my face and dress up. Do you mind giving me like five minutes?"

"Sure," he smiled and left with Cassandra.

I got up and ran to the bathroom and fixed myself up. I put on a gray sports bra and black tight shorts. Oh yea, I looked good. I went out to the living room where Darien eyed me up and down and smiled. 

"Well have fun you two, Darien take it easy on her- but not too easy." Cassandra winked at me.

I smiled in response and gave her a hug, "I'll see you later Cass,"

Darien and I walked off to the training grounds.

*HOURS LATER*

"Too slow, your enemy will predict your move before you even think of it," Darien said as he caught Eva's arm. 

He pulled her towards him suddenly, and her back was against his chest. Her arms were in an X formation against her chest, his arms holding hers harshly. She felt his lips against her ear. "Your enemy will not think twice to crush you, and this is one of the many positions he or she can put you in before ripping out your throat," his hold on her loosened a bit, but his lips didn't leave her ear "You have to be unpredictable, try again."

As he let go slowly, she stepped away from him and took a deep breath. As exhausted as she felt, she couldn't catch a break.

Eva took another deep breath, Darien stood two feet in front of her as she decided to try something different. She got into a fighting stance, then slowly, reached her right arm out to punch him, but quickly ducked and dragged her right leg under him as he collapsed backwards. As soon as he was on his back, she jumped on top of him pinning both his arms with her knees, and placed her right arm gently against his throat. 

"Hows that for unpredictable?" she said, Darien chuckled.

"Well it's about time," he said.

"About time?"

"I wanted to see how long it would take before you did something… unpredictable. And that was really good but-" 

In one swift move, he rolled her over onto her back, set himself on top of her and grabbed both her hands and pinned them against the ground over her head, then put his left hand against her throat. "Don't forget that men, are just a little bit stronger than you, and very unforgiving. You have to have a backup move, always" he said, his lips inches away from hers.

She laughed and smiled up at him, "Okay, I'll definitely have reason to remember that." 

"Good," he chuckled. 

His eyes fell down to her lips, his hand slowly glided down her throat to her shoulder and he looked back up at her. He leaned down cautiously, and she leaned up the rest of the way until their lips touched. 

"Ahem," someone cleared their throat. 

Darien's lips left Eva's immediately, they both looked up at Zane who was standing with his arms behind his back and his head tilted to the side with an amused smile on his face. 

"Sorry to interrupt what may or may not be happening here, but I have to speak to you both for a quick second." he said. 

"We were just training," Darien quickly let go of her hands and stood up, "What is it?"

Eva stood up quickly and tried to hide her embarrassment.

"The counsel has come to a decision on Eva's proposition." Zane said.

"Well? What is it?" Darien urged.

"They've agreed to it," he said towards Eva, "They will let your tribe fight alongside ours as long as they agree to. They're just a little bit iffy about whether or not your tribe will comply."

"There's got to be something you can say to them," Darien looked at Eva, "This isn't just about out own protection, it's about theirs too."

"I know, we have to get a message out there to my tribe to get them to meet yours," Eva replied.

"How?" Zane asked.

Eva looked down in thought, I hadn't thought this through, how will I get the message out to my tribe? I can't exactly yell, that's too degrading. I can't cross, and neither can any of the Theon. Suddenly a light bulb went off in her head.

"I know how to get to them." 

We ran off towards the Elders and stopped when we reached the Spirit grounds. I stood before the Elders and bowed my head, the nodded back, granting me permission to speak.

"Elders, thank you for accepting my proposition. I know it wasn't easy making this type of conclusion." I said.

"Well, we must do anything and everything we can for the safety of our tribe." Elder Elzara responded.

"I'm glad," I smiled.

"How do you plan on getting in contact with your tribe?" Elder Mincha questioned.

"You cannot leave our grounds, you are still under our law." Elder Genevieve added.

"I don't have to leave the grounds, I think I can get my sister to meet me across the border," I replied.

"How?" Elder Masiah asked.

"When we were younger we used to play this game where we would hide in the woods, and the other has to find us. We used a signal, we made sounds to find each other-" 

"Your point?" Elder Genevieve said.

"If I stand on the border and make the signal, there's a chance she'll recognize it and come. When she does, I can tell her to bring the counsel." I explained.

The Elders all looked at each other, Elder Masiah whispered something into Elder Genevieve's ear as she nodded.

"Alright, you may try and contact your sister." Genevieve said as all the elders stood. 

They formed a line, Darien and I followed quietly behind them.