Page 35 of The Pakhan's Forced Bride
“So, you came here to watch the sunrise?” I ask.
“Yes, at this time of morning, there isn’t too much going on, and it seemed like a nice way to start the day. It’s peaceful.”
“I was thinking of going for a run, but seeing as you’re awake—maybe you want to get an early start on your training?”
“Oh,” she says, sitting up straighter, her body tense. “Sure.”
“Are you nervous?” I chuckle.
“A bit. I’ve never done anything like it before. I might take a complete fool of myself.”
“Everyone starts out not knowing anything. Don’t be so hard on yourself. You’ll be great.”
Chapter 11 - Belle
I tossed and turned all night, frustrated and embarrassed, wondering why Ardalion pulled away from the kiss. I have no idea how he managed to have the willpower to do that. Unless, of course—I guess it’s obvious—he wasn’t as affected by the kiss as I was.
It was written on his face afterwards.
He looked like he regretted it.
Like maybe he was embarrassed.
At the moment, I did the only thing I could do. I pretended it didn’t matter. I shrugged it off, composed myself, and made it look like the kiss didn’t mean anything to me, either. As though it were a silly mistake resulting from too much alcohol and a bad decision. Nothing more.
It wasn’t true, though.
And all through the rest of the party and dinner with him, and on the drive home, I couldn’t stop thinking about that kiss.
It was magical. It was wild and spontaneous, and for a moment, I felt free. I felt bold and beautiful, like the main character in some romantic story.
But he pulled away.
So I couldn’t sleep, reliving the embarrassment over and over again. And then after a night of tossing and turning, he invited me to start training, and I couldn’t think of anything more terrifying than being that close to him while making a complete fool of myself.
But I proved my fears wrong.
It’s been three days since I started training.
I’m standing in the gym with gloves strapped to my hand, dressed in black gym tights and a top to match. I’m strong, capable, and doing so much better than I could have imagined.
Yes, the first day was a disaster. But Ardalion is surprisingly patient when it comes to teaching me. He slowly repeats the same moves over and over again until I understand them. He practices with me, taking my body and moving it to show me the patterns. At first, I was like a fish with three left feet, totally out of my depth with no idea how to move like he does. He makes it look so easy, his muscles rippling as he shows the incredible control he has over his body.
I was embarrassed, but I didn’t give up—mostly because he wouldn’t let me.
And now, halfway through today’s training session, I’m loving it.
“Yes, move left. Strike,” Ardalion shouts as I punch the pads strapped to his hands. He moves right, then left. “Duck,” he says, trying to tap me on the head, but I swing out of the way just in time and throw a very impressive uppercut against the opposite pad.
He laughs and jumps backwards.
“That was really good,” he says, suitably impressed. He tugs at the straps around his wrists and pulls the sparring pads off his hands, tossing them to the side.
“We can’t be done yet?” I grumble, scrunching my nose. My body feels alive and energized. I jump from left foot to right and back again.
“We’re not done,” he grins. “But we’re switching it up for the rest of the session. We’re going to do some defensive moves now. You’re getting good with the boxing and offense.”
“Defense?” I ask, nervously.
