Chapter 8
LOTTIE
The arena we're playing in is like woodland with extra parts added, which is a little surprising. I guess I expected something with a little bit more of a custom-built feel, but maybe that isn't actually necessary for the game we're playing.
"You've got some built in camouflage," Archie says as we head out into the woods, looking around us for any sign that one of the other teams is around.
"Yep, brown wings are perfect for hiding out in the woods," I respond. "Let's just hope the others don't have the same advantage."
"Not if we want to win. On your left."
I spin around, spotting someone through the trees. I get my shooter into position.
"Not yet," Archie whispers. "I don't think they've seen us, and we're not going to be able to get them until they come out from between the trees. We shouldn't give our position away."
"Does being a demon prince come with strategy lessons?"
He flashes me a grin. "You know that it does. But no, I just know this because I've made the same mistake before and lost. Now."
The other team steps into view and I fire off a couple of rounds of my shooter. Magic balls fly out of it and towards the strangers, though my first shot goes wide, alerting them to the fact we're here. My second shot hits one of the players, but not before they start firing them back at us.
Archie gets a few off, and then grabs my arm, pulling me behind a tree just as a couple more magic balls fly our way.
My heart is racing and I let out a laugh. "That was close. Do you think we got them?"
"No idea but we should move before their shooters can be used again."
"Oh, good point."
He reaches out and takes my hand in his before we continue moving through the woods. His tail darts out and pushes some branches out of the way for me, which is both sweet, and a good use of it.
"So, demon prince of strategy. What do we do now?"
He chuckles. "I never said I was good at strategy, just that I had to learn it."
"Should we be setting up a base somewhere?" I ask. "We could defend it then."
"Maybe. But if no one comes by, we can't get any points."
"Hmm, so we've got to balance not losing lives ourselves with managing to tag the other?" The aversion to getting hit myself is high, but I also want to win.
"True. Duck."
I respond immediately, and a magic ball races over my head. I try to turn around, but being crouched means that I lose my balance, falling to the ground. Archie does manage to get a couple of magic balls out in their direction, but the next time he fires his shooter, it doesn't do anything.
He groans. "Well, that's me out."
The other team seem to think that they're done, not realising that I haven't lost any of my lives, just my balance. I aim my shooter and fire off a couple of magic balls at their retreating backs, both of them hitting their targets.
"Why Lottie, you play dirty," Archie jokes as he offers me his hand.
"Just taking the opportunity presented to me." I take it and let him pull me to my feet. I lose my balance again, falling into him this time.
He steadies me with a hand on either arm. "Is this your way of getting close to me, Lottie?" he murmurs, his mouth mesmerisingly close to me.
"Just taking the opportunity presented to me," I repeat, my voice coming out lower and more inviting than I intend it to.
"And what other opportunities are you going to take?"
The way he's looking at me turns my insides to fire, and makes me want to do something reckless. Though I'm not sure how reckless it is that I want to kiss the demon prince I'm on a date with.
The urge is impossible to exist, especially when he's looking at me the way he is, and smoothing his hand down my back, making my wings flutter.
"Are you trying to make me think about kissing you?" I murmur.
He swallows hard. "Are you?"
I bite my bottom lip, knowing it'll catch his attention, and welcoming it. "Maybe."
"Now you're just teasing."
I cock my head to the side and study him intently. "Is it teasing if I fully intend to see it through?"
He pulls me closer to him without waiting for further instruction, causing our body armour to clink as it touches. My eyes flutter closed as Archie leans in and presses his lips against mine.
I'm swept away in the moment, unable to think about anything other than how right this feels. I've kissed people before, but it's never been like this. There's a connection between us that can't be faked.
He nips at my bottom lip, sending a bolt of need through me. I'm not even sure what it is that I want most, probably just to be closer to him. I wrap my arms around his neck, completely ignoring the shooters that are hanging by both of our sides.
He pulls back but doesn't take his arms from around me. We look into one another's eyes, both of us lost in the moment.
"I intended to wait until after the date to do that," he whispers.
A small chuckle escapes me. "I'm glad you didn't. But if you think this is instead of kissing me at the end of our date, you're kidding yourself."
"I plan to kiss you many more times than that."
"Good. I'm glad that's all settled. But I'm not done now." I press my lips against his, kissing him deeper this time and hopefully leaving no doubt that I enjoyed the first kiss, and am very much okay with sharing more of them.
His hand grazes against my wings as he moves it against my back, sending a pleasant shiver through me in response. If I'm already responding like this to his touch, then I can't wait to experience more.
"Got you this time!" The shout cuts through our kiss and we pull back.
"Should be paying attention and not making out!" one of the other players calls.
Archie chuckles. "Worth it."
A wide smile spreads over my face. "Definitely."
"But I don't want to lose," he says. "So how about we pause the kissing for now, and come back to it in a bit."
I let out an amused laugh. "Okay. But only because I want to win just as much." Though I don't really care if we do. This has already been a great date, and I can't wait for what comes next.