Chapter 47: Week 15 - The Trip 4
"I am Lady." Ro replied politely as she purposefully looked at the beautiful female's mouth. It cracked into a dazzling smile. "But I prefer Ro."
"How fitting and you may call me Lady Alexandra." Ro's eyes flicked to Lady Alexandra's in confusion. They were a deep blue and dancing in mirth. Ro forced herself to look at the lady's mouth again.
"And what is she ranked?" The male's voice was dripping with disapproval. Ro felt Alexi tense beside her.
"She is second in our class." Alexi answered defensively. Ro whirled on him.
"I am not. I am always third."
"Yes, but you are consistently third which makes you second." Alexi met Ro's eyes with irritation on his face. Ro thought about what he said. It made sense. No one was consistently better than her but Alexi.
"She's modest. Isn't that cute?" Lady Alexandra said good-naturedly.
"Modesty has no place in our society." The leader contradicted. "How many points does she have?" Ro felt shock as she realized that the clan leader was purposefully refusing to talk to her.
"One hundred seventy-three." Ro once again looked at Alexi in surprise. She hadn't even known that. Professor Arzandia must have given out a lot of extra points for her and Alexi to have so many so soon. Ro glanced at the clan leader. He was frowning in obvious disapproval.
"Hmph." Was his only reply.
"That is very good for so soon. You must work very hard." Lady Alexandra said with another smile.
"I do, Lady Alexandra."
"What areas is she showing a gift for?" The clan leader asked Alexi, ignoring his mate and Ro completely. Alexi smiled slightly as Ro looked at him.
"All but light."
"What do you mean all but light?"
"Just that. So far, she is showing a gift for fire, water, air, earth, and shadow." Alexi sounded smug.
"Well it's early yet and you've told us that these are just beginner exercises. She will probably only end up with a gift in one of them."
"Sure, father." Alexi said dismissing the clan leader's comment. The clan leader bristled.
"And how is her fighting?" He snapped. Alexi shrugged in response.
"She is improving."
"That means she is bad." Ro blushed in shame at his words.
"She was bad, but her work with her tutor has made her much better."
"The school had to assign her a tutor? Then she really must be awful. How many fights has she won?"
"Three."
"Then she is terrible." Ro felt her shame turn to anger at this overbearing demon. She glanced at Lady Alexandra and realized she was watching her. With a sigh the lady stepped up to her husband and placed a hand gently on his arm.
"We can find out. Why not have her fight someone for us?" Ro watched as the clan leaders face slowly broke into a smile. Ro didn't like where this was going.
"Daryol!" he called. A huge crow demon stepped forward from the shadows at the end of the room. Ro's eyes went wide at the sight of him. He was easily seven feet tall and well over two hundred pounds of pure muscle. His face was twisted in a vicious smile.
"Yes, Leader?"
"You will fight this human." The clan leader put emphasis on the last word showing his disdain. Daryol stepped closer to Ro, his hands shifting on his spear. Ro felt fear stab through her body at the thought of fighting him.
"Not here, honey." The lady told her husband. "Roselyn cannot possible fight in that dress. She and Alexi will go change and meet us in the outdoor practice courts. Then once Roselyn is done, Alexi can show us what he's learned." The clan leader's smile fell into a dark look.
"Fine. They will fight in the practice courts. Don't let the human take too long changing, Alexi."
"I won't father." Alexi grabbed Ro's hand. "Bow your head." He whispered to her. Ro complied. Then Alexi pulled her from the room. As soon as the heavy door closed behind them, he wrapped his arms around her waist and they shot out from the hall, aiming straight for his rooms. The wind whipped around Ro making her feel colder than she already did at the prospect of fighting such a giant.
Alexi lowered to the balcony gently. As soon as they were down, he towed her into the room.
"I didn't bring any of my sparring uniforms." Ro said. Her eyes were caught by her suitcase placed next to the staircase. "How did my bags get here and why? Shouldn't they go to my room?" Alexi smirked in response.
"For this week, this is your room." Ro's mouth popped open in shock. Her wide eyes went to the one bed. It was big enough for the two of them, but Ro didn't like the thought of sleeping with Alexi. What if he tried something? Alexi walked up behind her and wrapped his arms around her waist again. Ro stiffened as he placed his chin gently on her shoulder and spoke softly.
"This is the way it is. They assume since I am going to claim you that this is what you'd want. It would be dangerous to tell them otherwise. And besides you have my promise that I won't do anything without your permission, as much as I may be tempted."
"Then release me. I must change. Your father will blame me if we are late." With a sigh, Alexi did release her. She walked to her suitcase and began rummaging through it for work-out clothes. She pulled out a muddy green tank top, sports bra, and black workout shorts. Turning to face Alexi, she asked, "Where can I change?" He leered at her.
"Here, of course."
"You don't have my permission to watch me." Ro stated bluntly. Irritation flashed across Alexi's face.
"Fine." He said and stalked out onto the balcony. He leaned against the railing and looked out over the scene below. Ro turned too and hastily pulled the dress off. She efficiently switched bras and then pulled on the shorts and tank. Sitting on the bed she put on her sneakers. Ro was surprised at how soft the bed was. It made the idea of sleeping on it slightly more palatable.
Sighing, she went out to Alexi on the balcony. He was oblivious to her presence for once. She tapped him lightly on the left shoulder. Alexi spun so fast, she didn't have time to react. His right arm pulled her in front of him, then returned to the railing on her left side. His left arm trapped her on her right side. Ro's heart hammered in her chest as she stared into Alexi's dark eyes. Heat bloomed between them and she felt a blush creep into her cheeks as she realized how near he was to her.
"Alexi…" she began, her voice slightly breathless.
"It is no secret that Daryol hates humans, so he will attack to kill you even though the fight will be to first blood only. His size works against him but only a little. He is faster than you might think." Ro leaned back out over the railing and nodded. Alexi went on. "If you are fighting and you find that you can't keep up, let him scratch you as you dodge. My father will be forced to call the match." Ro felt shock as she realized that he was worried about her. She met Alexi's dark eyes with steely determination.
"I will be fine."
"Roselyn, I want you to promise me that you won't be foolhardy and keep fighting if he is better than you." Alexi's eyes bore into her own and Ro found she couldn't look away. "He will be trying to kill you. That is why my father picked him." Ro felt her cold fear return. "Promise me." Alexi pushed.
"Fine. I promise." Alexi searched her eyes for a moment then nodded. He stepped back and reentered his rooms.
"Where are you going? Don't we need to go?" Ro asked looking after him.
"I need to change." He said simply and stripped off his shirt. Ro blushed and instantly turned around. "You can look. I don't mind." His voice called to her.
"No thanks. I'm good." She said quickly.
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SandiBell
SandiBell So I some other authors creating power stone contests. I thought I'd give it a try too, but I am going to start small.
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