Chapter 7
Sagan
After I was sure Thorn was gone, I went back into my suite and decided to go train. If there was ever a time to get some energy out, it was right then and it was still early.
I wanted to groan at my choice when I walked in and immediately locked on Benson squatting more than seemed possible.
I counted the plates and realized he was at max before the bar could break.
All of it was different than what most would be using to given we were dragons and had our own everything.
And the plates had magic on them to make them heavier than normal. Otherwise, it wasn’t physically possible to get that on the same bar no matter how much we could lift.
I got to watch a few reps before he seemed to sense me, his intense eyes locking on mine. Something filled his that I didn’t understand and he seemed to move a bit faster.
Probably to hurry and finish so he could get away from me. I was staring like a… Something not suitable.
I turned away to head to another weight rack and realized he was still watching me. I could see him in the mirrors. I ignored it and got everything set to bench press, but looked over when I heard the clink of weights.
He’d finished and his gaze was intense as he flicked off his lifting belt. Something about that was way too seductive and I swallowed a shiver, lost in my head.
Then I remembered why I was there, needing to get energy out, and it was like a bucket of cold water was dumped on my head.
I was just about to lay down when Onyx was suddenly there. I flinched and took a step back.
He ran his tongue over his teeth and shot a quick glance at Benson. “I didn’t think you saw me when you came in, but I wasn’t quiet. Sorry if I startled you, My Queen.”
“I’m fine. Good morning,” I mumbled.
“You’re not fine,” he whispered as he leaned in. “What’s wrong?” He moved in closer when I didn’t say anything. “I know you’re not happy with me and I’ll fix that. I will, but what is going on with you, baby girl? Please tell me.”
“I’m fine,” I said again. “Excuse me.”
He didn’t move though. “Can I spot you? Let me help when you’re distracted.” He grabbed my wrist when I frowned. “I didn’t mean by watching him lift impressive amounts of weights. We all watch that. I meant whatever else is going on with you.”
“Okay, thanks.” It was smart to have a spot since I was out of practice.
“What are you normally at?” he asked as I lay down and gripped the bar.
I opened my mouth but then closed it and my eyes as I let out a sigh. “I have no idea. I worked with the trainer that my parents paid at school and…”
“Everything became not as important as what happened. Okay, well, one of my degrees is in health and wellness, so I could contact them and take over.”
My eyes popped open and I stared up at him. “I’m not sure that’s smart.”
“I think it’s a really good idea, but whatever makes you comfortable. Could I at least call and get your records for you? I can transition you to someone here that we can find.”
I felt warm inside. “That would be amazing, thanks.”
“Done. So let’s go easy today since you also haven’t trained in over a month.”
“Yeah, I’ve been lazy,” I muttered, feeling embarrassed.
“You are anything but lazy, Sagan,” he chuckled. “I feel like I’m drowning for you most days and it’s not all happening to me.”
“Thanks, Onyx.” I blinked when he started chuffing.
Ohhhh, someone like it when I said his name. He liked it big-time.
I ignored it and focused on what I was doing. Onyx was impressed with how much I handled and for how long. I realized Benson was standing close when I set the bar back down and looked over at him.
He shot Onyx a glance but focused back on me. “I’m getting messages that the person you asked to be removed was and is settled at a hotel near the castle. What happened?”
“Nothing you need to concern yourself with, but thank you for letting me know,” I replied as I stood and moved around. I stretched and ignored the two sets of eyes on me and focused on my workout.
“I need to know if he hurt you or—” Benson tried again.
“He’d be a pile of ash and the sprinklers would have gone off if he’d physically hurt me and you know it,” I interrupted, annoyance in my tone. “You cannot protect me from the selfishness and stupidity of men.” I met his gaze. “You are one of them and do the same after all.”
Onyx snickered but immediately apologized. “I’m a moron too. I know. I just think it’s sexy when you stand up for yourself like that.” He glanced between us. “I’ll leave you two to talk.” His stare was hard on Benson’s. “For a moment.”
I didn’t really think that necessary, but I saw it as him trying not to push himself on me and make me uncomfortable, which I appreciated.
“Does this have something to do with the potion?” Benson asked when we were alone.
Damn, I would have to tell him.
I let out a slow breath and focused on the bench instead of him. “He used a potion and he didn’t remember what happened. It’s what he said in the morning that made me have him go to a hotel, okay? Can you please just leave it alone?”
He was quiet several moments, and I was about to just get back to lifting, but then he rubbed my shoulder. “I would give anything for you not to have to suffer through this bullshit and let them all hurt you.”
I flinched away, something toxic on my tongue in reply. I shook my head and stepped away. “I’ll see you in the meeting.”
“Sagan, please,” he sighed.
“I guess you’re done here,” Onyx interjected as he rejoined us… And moved in between Benson and me.
“We’re done when the queen says so, and I don’t appreciate you acting like you need to protect her from me when my job is to protect her,” Benson snapped.
Now it was really difficult to keep my mouth shut, but I chastised myself, remembering I used to be amazing at holding myself back. What happened to me that I was so all over the place?
Right, I’d lost my parents, found the mess they left me, and become queen.
“Cut yourself a break. Even we’re not this hard on you,” Eloise said in my mind.
I sighed and lay down on the bench, gripping the bar and making it clear the conversation was over.
“Right, let’s get you going so you can get your energy out,” Onyx said as he moved to spot me.
I wasn’t the only one who looked at him like what the fuck?
He cleared his throat. “That came out wrong. Sorry, been dealing with—I apologize.”
Fair enough, but his tone worried me. “Are you okay? You don’t have to stay here. You’re allowed to leave and like—it’s not even your turn yet.”
Something I didn’t understand filled his eyes.
“It’s fine, thank you for caring. I can handle my family, and while I feel bad about leaving the dig down a teacher—life happens.
It was a summer extra, not me abandoning a full load of classes mid-semester.
People are just too…” He shook his head and I knew exactly what he meant.
Benson left after I did another set.
“Do you mind if I do what I need to while you’re resting?” Onyx checked.
“Of course, please, I can do it alone,” I said as I got up.
He moved into my space close enough so he was whispering in my ear. “You’re not a bother, baby girl. I want to show off for you.”
I wasn’t sure how to even reply to that, but he moved away and over to a different machine close by. He adjusted the weight and then kept my gaze as he pulled it down so he was on his knees. Heat was in his eyes as he did cable rope crunches.
I practically licked my fucking lips as I walked over and watched him. “Those are lovingly called ‘I’m sorry, my princess,’ but I’m not a princess anymore. I’m your queen.”
He looked up at me. “That’s why it’s not a set of just ten, but until I fail and the max weight I can handle.”
Fuckkkkkkkkkkkkk, that was hot.
What else was there to really say? “Show me.”
“Yes, baby girl,” he groaned and then got back to it… And I was impressed. Onyx kept in shape and I lost count of how many he did at that high weight.
“I guess that’s a good start,” I said when he couldn’t do any more. “But if you wear yourself out, you can’t spot me.” I smirked as I turned away and he let out a deep groan.
Well, at least that helped my mood.
He focused on me after that and I thanked him when we were done. He moved in closer after checking no one else was around. “I don’t know what he did that you sent him away, but I’m here if you want to talk. I’m here for whatever you want or need, Sagan.”
I moved my hand to his chest and was glad when he backed away. “Thank you but—”
“Please don’t shut me out,” he begged.
I met his gaze. “It’s hard to trust this. I’m dealing with a lot and—you really upset me. Can you not push?”
He swallowed loudly and nodded. “I’m sorry. I know I’m being pushy and a dick. I just… You’re struggling and all I want is to comfort you and I fucked that up. I did comfort you once and—I’m so sorry. Please, this is real for me.”
I nodded that I heard him, but he blocked me when I went to leave. “Let me go.”
“Tell me what I can do. Let Myriam or Treena rake me over the coals, but they’ll know I’m being truthful when I say all I want is you, not to be prince or play games.”
“Maybe,” I mumbled and was glad he backed off. “I have so much else going on.”
“I know and I’m a dick for pushing, but if we could—I could help if you gave me time to fix my mistakes. If you at least knew I wasn’t playing with you or this wasn’t about winning over fucking Kole.”
I nodded I heard him and left. That was actually fair and smart.
I got ready for the day, glad when I heard from Treena that Thorn didn’t make an issue but said he hoped she would pass along that he wanted to talk to me. I nodded but left it alone.
“You deserve to be upset and he’s—men are stupid, but I will tell you he was being sincere. The regret and upset off of him were real.”
I snorted. “Yeah, he can feel bad he hurt me, but that won’t fix how he feels or he shouldn’t have done what he did to mess with me.”