"Tomorrow the recruitment will begin, everyone will be given the task based on your capabilities, morning hours are for training, everyone has to train whether cook or cleaner" Leu addressed them in the hall after dinner, Lord Kan's dominating aura kept everyone silent even while sitting in the front seat.
There were around forty people, new recruits, she had no idea how or when others had arrived. But none of them were women, as expected.
"You can fill in five places: cleaning, kitchen, guards, field and stable," Leu continued. But Daria got distracted by Ruby's uneasiness.
"Does it still hurt?" Daria leaned over to whisper in her ear.
"Not anymore, it's just this waist…started to bother me" Ruby whispered back.
"Want me to fix it ?" Daria asked again.
"Nah, ill do it" as Ruby replied in a strained voice, Daria felt a gaze, and turned, just then Kan left the hall. It didn't feel like a coincidence, or maybe it is, she didn't have a blink of sleep since she heard that voice again, or perhaps even before that, constant battle between heart and mind might cause physical damage at this point, she already had doubts if she's thinking straight.
Daria decided to get some sleep once Leu was done. But everyone started chatting and drinking, even Ruby and Pam were engrossed in Tom's tales of dark creatures, not wanting to disturb them she left for the room alone.
Deserted corridor enhanced every footfall, Its bit colder here, or maybe its her thin tunic and plain pant that caused it, she hurried towards her door, but before Daria could turn the knob, she felt something thrown on her way, out of reflex she caught the leather cape and turn to find its owner.
"My lord?" He stayed a good distance away. Annoyance back in place. She was left baffled, what is it this time?
"Cover your ugly body and your ugly… face, both infuriate me" his voice laced with malice, she had heard many harsh words in the past, but this time it did hurt. That ugly face was her biggest shied against lowly taverns and she will not let anyone think bad of its appearance. Without any delay and without pitying herself she secured the cape around her shoulder and pulled the hood. If that's what he wants then let him see his just earned achievement.
but what she saw was..guilt…surprising. Good, why would she be the one crushing own heart at his every whim.
Just when she stretched her hand to reach the knob, thinking it was over. He covered the distance in an instant, stopping only a few inches away..…but not touching…not yet…
"Did Grover also make his men learn…to please other men?" She was stunned. What's going on in his head? Is he upset that she is a man or is he upset because he has feelings for this man? …If he has any. Her surprise turned to anger…and he didn't miss it. She could see how his mind processed, his scrutiny, his amazement…his smirk...and desperation.
He slowly brought his head to her hooded forehead. Resting, inhaling the momentary peace.
In a moment the charged air between them filled the space. Left both breathless. She struggled to keep her eyes open, but his relentless hand didn't let her, it moved up and up, slowly stopping over her chest, directly above her heart.
He was testing her, waiting for her reaction, an intoxicating sensation. But anticipation of feelings at the bay kept her frozen. A gentle stroke of his knuckle undid it all. Her knees felt mushy, but she didn't dare to touch him, instead she hung on to the wall for support, but his other hand grabbed the side of her waist. A soft moan skipped her lips. This was too much to bear.
She still wanted to see him, see how he looked, what he was feeling. Daria lifted her gaze, his adam apple bobbled, his toxic lips were alluring, his eyes…shut. Like he is enduring it all.
"Everytime I see you…It's crazy…I want to break you…I want to break myself with you....why does it have to be you… a man.." He sounded…broken, Every word agony, every effort a struggle, she could feel it in her soul, how much it's affecting him, how much he hates it…his own feelings… she felt his pain, wanted to hold him, wanted to shout…'she is exactly what he wants'.
"I'm.." before Daria could finish, footsteps brought them out of trans.
"You are still here?" Pam asked, Daria's head turned in panic, did she see him, but when she turned back…he was gone.
"Did something happen?" Ruby noticed her panic.
"No, I heard something but it's nothing" , still breathless, she replied in a hurry, before going inside.