Chapter 2 The Bodyguard
The Bodyguard
“Your footing is all wrong,” Landon said, slamming his sword against mine.
My arms strained from the powerful force my bodyguard possessed, but I quickly spun to the left, deflecting his blow.
I never looked away from my target while I spoke, my words dripping with venom. “That was too close.”
“It wouldn’t have been if you learned how to use your damn feet and move quicker!” Landon swiped his sword at my ribs, causing me to jolt backward—but not quick enough.
A burning pain licked up my side, making me drop my hand to the gnawing ache settling over me. Carefully, I examined the crimson blood staining my pale fingertips.
“You fucking cut me?” I growled, subtly tightening my grip on the hilt of my sword resting at my side. I had opted for a lighter weapon in hopes it would help me move quicker, but so far, it wasn’t helping me best my bodyguard one fucking bit.
It was time to change tactics.
Landon’s mouth gaped with horror. “Seera, I didn’t mean to land that strike. I am so sorry, let me see.”
He rushed over to inspect my wound, and I waited until he was close enough to strike.
I popped my already clenched fist under his chin, making my bodyguard stumble back in surprise.
I wasted no time as I jammed my elbow into his chest and pushed downward at an angle, causing him to fully lose his balance.
Then I finished the move by ducking and swiping my arm under his right leg.
Landon let out a grunt as his back slammed against the stone training floor, and I pinned his leg further back, raising my other hand to point the tip of my sword against his throat.
He attempted to contain his heavy breathing, an ounce of fear passing through his eyes when the cool metal tip pushed harder into his skin.
“Do you concede?” I asked, a cocky grin on my face. His icy blue eyes flicked to my sword, then back to me.
“I concede, my Queen.”
“Good boy.” I dropped my weapon, allowing Landon to finally consume precious breaths of crisp air.
Training with my bodyguard was one of the rare moments when I allowed my mask to drop a fraction. Although training was essential to remain strong against any acts of rebellion, it also provided me an excuse to have extra time with Landon.
When I was with my bodyguard, I felt like I could be a sliver of who I was outside of my role as the Serpent Queen, like a snake slowly shedding its skin.
A loud groan tore me from my thoughts, and I looked down to see Landon still laying on the stone floor, rubbing at the spot on his chest where I elbowed him.
I huffed, but extended my hand to help him up. “Stop being dramatic.”
His chuckle was rough, as though it was still hard to breathe after such a brutal fall, but it was necessary we trained on stone—there would be no cushiony mats to break our fall beyond my palace walls, where rebels seeking to topple me from my throne lurked at every turn.
Landon wrapped his warm hand around mine, and I had to tug hard to get my six foot three bodyguard off the ground.
“You sure do love hand-to-hand combat,” he said as he rubbed his back, another small groan escaping him.
My victorious smirk only made his scowl intensify. “Don’t get cocky. You still suck at wielding a sword.”
Landon stretched his back, a crack splitting through the air while he rolled his neck from side to side. “Ready to go again?” he asked, reaching for his weapon.
“As much as I’d love to lay you flat on your ass for the second time today, I have an execution to attend.” I shoved the hilt of my sword at Landon.
He frowned but accepted it. “Another execution? Didn’t you kill a man in the throne room the other night?”
“How did you hear about that if you only got back from Ashivire this morning?”
Landon gave me a pointed look, his brow arching toward the grey sky.
“Fucking Gustavo . . .” I muttered.
A loose chuckle tumbled from his lips. “Who else spreads gossip as fast as your head butler? Isn’t that the reason you hired him in the first place anyways?
I believe your exact words were, ‘He will create endless chaos, which means endless entertainment for me. The messier, the better.’” Landon tossed me another cheeky grin before moving on to reracking our swords.
He lifted the hem of his shirt to wipe his sweat as he turned to face me, making my mind go blank.
I gazed hungrily over the row of muscles rippling across his abdomen, and my tongue darted out to wet my lips as I stared at Landon’s exposed light brown skin.
But then, his black cotton shirt was dropped and his glorious muscles were hidden once again.
My gaze drifted to his strong hands, covered with callouses from hours of training, then wandered over his toned biceps, his wide shoulders, and finally to his lips—which appeared to be moving.
“Seera? Hello?!” Landon waved his hands in front of my face.
“Hmm? What?” I cleared my throat, doing my best to stop gawking at my bodyguard.
“Enjoying the view?” His lips twitched with amusement.
I scoffed and rolled my eyes. “Not like it isn’t something I haven’t seen a million times before.” I shot a pointed look at his groin.
My bodyguard followed my gaze, his lips curving into a mischievous smile as he looked at me through ridiculously long, heavy lashes.
“Care to see it again?”
I tapped a finger against my lips, humming in thought. After a long moment and a frustrated huff from Landon, I shrugged a shoulder.
“Fine. Come to my room tonight, but not before I have dinner with my guest.”
He practically purred with delight. “Fine by me. I don’t mind a late night meal.” His eyes dipped past my abdomen, lingering on the laces of my black leather training pants.
He bit his bottom lip slowly. “There’s only one thing I’m hungry for anyway.”
My legs twitched, causing his eyes to flick back to mine. A roguish smile danced upon his lips, and I’d be damned if I let him win this round.
With one stride, I closed the remaining distance between us and arched my back as I pressed a hand against his torso.
My breasts grazed against his chest, making him suck in a sharp breath.
Slowly, I tipped my head back and glanced at him through lowered lashes.
His heart slammed against my palm as his eyes drifted to my lips—the longing in his gaze tried to scorch me in place, but I stretched onto my toes and brought our lips dangerously close.
As I spoke my next words, I let our mouths lightly graze. “Bring me some useful information tonight from your recent trip to Ashivire, and I might feel generous enough to grant you the dinner you so badly crave.”
I trailed my fingers down Landon’s chest, inching toward his waistband.
His eyes darkened as they followed the pathway my fingers scorched along his chest. His hand flexed, as if he was about to grab me and fuck me on the training grounds for all to see, but I quickly stepped back.
His frustrated growl chased after me as I backed away, and I chuckled when he dropped his hand to readjust the swiftly growing bulge in his pants.
With a spin on my heel, I strutted up the stone stairs leading back to my palace.
Landon’s shout reached me as I ascended the final step. “Same time tomorrow, your footwork is trash! You got lucky today!”
I turned to face him as I continued to walk backward, raising two fingers to my brow in a mocking salute.
The gesture was considered offensive in my lands, but my bodyguard’s laughter boomed throughout the training yard.
As I turned back toward my palace, I glanced up at the rolling, dark clouds.
Light sprinkles of mist kissed my heated cheeks.
“What a gorgeous day for an execution,” I sighed.
My lady-in-waiting scoffed, appearing at my side to offer me a towel to dab my sweaty brows with. I accepted it without stopping, my heels loudly clacking on the black and scarlet marble floors. Reena trailed me, finding it difficult to keep up with my demanding pace.
“Ready to make me look dazzling for tonight’s execution?” I tossed a devious smile over my shoulder.
“I’ve never met anyone who enjoys killing people as much as you do,” Reena tsked, shaking her head.
Abruptly, I stopped, making my lady-in-waiting slam into my back.
With a quick spin, I towered over her, all the while reveling at the fear saturating her grey eyes.
I stared down my nose at her, her throat bobbing.
She took a small step away, but I followed her, closing the distance she tried to wedge between us.
Reena’s hands quaked ever so slightly, but she quickly hid them in her plain grey cotton gown.
I ducked my head so we were eye level and whispered, “That is the best compliment you’ve ever given me.”
Her mouth popped open in surprise, and I smiled, straightening to my full height. Reena’s shock melted away to irritation, and she swatted the air as if shooing away a gnat.
“Seera, don’t scare me like that!” She clutched a hand against her heart.
My dark chuckle echoed through the black stone halls while I resumed the trek to my quarters. I was going to be late to the show if I dallied any longer to torment my lady-in-waiting, but the fear permeating from her was too sweet not to savor.
“Word of advice, Reena, don’t wear your emotions on your face. People could weaponize them for their own selfish intents.”
Including myself.
The bitter smell recharged me, making my pace quicken as I anticipated the copious amounts of fear that would fuel me at tonight’s execution.
“Is it such a terrible thing to feel, my Queen?”
My lip curled with distaste. “Absolutely.”
I braced my hands on the gold knockers adorning my blood-red double doors and pushed. Twin serpents fell from my grip as I strode into my quarters with Reena hot on my trail.
Immediately, she flew over to my wardrobe. “Do you have a preference for which gown you’d like to wear tonight?”
I stopped in the doorway of my bathing chambers, casually shrugging a shoulder.
“A black or red gown will do for tonight’s execution. Helps hide the blood better.”
Reena’s deep exhale was the last thing I heard before slamming the door to ready myself for a fresh round of bloodshed.