Teela woke up to a bright new day, the impending threats of despair and tribulation that loomed yesterday was pushed at the back of her head. Dressed in her customary sexy combat attire, she proceeded to the courtyard to check on the army's training. She was no more than five minutes late when she found a dark, heavily-built man over six feet tall engaging in combat with her troop.
She stood watching them for a few minutes before he took notice of her and stopped the fight. He gave her a warm smile and genuine, respectful courtesy before greeting her.
"Good Morning, Teela!"
Teela narrowed her eyes as he approached.
"Good morning! Are you a new recruit? I don't think we've met," she inquired.
"You highness, I am Thundar, the new assistant of Man-At-Arms, and the new combat trainer of your army."
Teela was aghast. She was the trainer of the army, together with a few assistants, but the man said he was her father's assistant. Does this mean he had a higher rank than she?
"Don't address me as your highness, I am not a princess. Who gave you the training post?" she asked.
"King Adam of course, he wanted to relieve you of your duties so you could settle in your new responsibilities in the kingdom as queen," he explained.
Relieve her of her duties? That's insane.
"Excuse me?" she uttered in disbelief. Two days of the engagement and he was running her life.
"Thundar is a friend of mine and he was kind enough to accept the training post to help Man-At-Arms," said Adam in a straightforward manner.
Teela and Thundarr looked up to find Adam's intimidating and regal bearing standing from the courtyard steps that led inside the palace.
Teela's voice was caught in her throat for a moment. She was surprised to see Adam looking so grand and manly… so in control of everything. It was like in a blink of an eye from her carefree, juvenile childhood buddy he turned into this strong, overbearing authority. It was rather frightening and disconcerting that her usually placid emotions turned into a tumultuous rage of raw emotions at the new man. Does she love him even more or does she despise him?
She wasn't certain anymore. One thing she was certain of, she wouldn't let him take her job away. She worked hard for years to be competent to fight side by side with her father.
"The last time I checked that was my job," she protested.
"Not anymore," said Adam dismissively.
"Can we talk about this?" she demanded.
"It's not negotiable," Adam simply explained.
Something exploded inside Teela. She was seething with anger. She will not let Adam do this to her.
"Okay then, I guess I have to fight for what I believe is mine," she demanded angrily, taking out her sword.
Adam looked at his would-be-wife in amusement. He could see her total vehemence regarding his decision. All he wanted to do right now was to kiss her senseless to make her bend to his wishes. He only wanted the best for her but she refused to see that.
"Teela, I don't want us to argue for everyone to see," said Adam diplomatically.
Anger was beginning to take hold of him, he didn't like his future queen to oppose and question him in front of their subjects but because he loved her, he would be more tolerant.
"Teela, let's discuss this inside," he invited kindly.
Teela bared her claws. She wanted to prove to the world she was the best warrior in Eternia, and not anyone not even the king was better than her.
"Afraid they'll see you for the incompetent warrior that you are?" hissed Teela.
"Come on, pick up your sword. I'm telling you, you can't take me out of my post as trainer because I'm the best there is in this kingdom. And you know that, Adam," she said haughtily.
Adam didn't want to fight. Let Teela vent out her displeasure but he would not take her on something that he knew would hurt her. He loved her enough to let her think she was the best warrior all these years but he couldn't let his subjects belittle him either. He believed it was best to be man enough to walk away.
He was about to return inside the palace when Teela blocked his path, a smug look covered her piquant face.
"Come on, Adam. It will be just like old times," she said sweetly with a hint of malice.
Adam had to control himself to keep himself from wiping the smirk of her face with his savage kiss.
"If I win, I get back my post, and…my freedom…I will not be Queen of Etheria…" she stated in a low voice barely audible.
Adam's brows furrowed with raw anger. He couldn't believe Teela would be so heartless and mean to bring their marital disputes and her discontentment into this childish game.
Without warning, he pulled his sword from the holster and leaped to bring Teela on the ground. He could have brought her down on the concrete but he didn't want to hurt her so he maneuvered in a way that would land them on the grassed area of the garden. They landed with a loud thud.
Teela was more surprised than hurt, albeit she thought her breath was knocked out of her when Adam's two hundred pound body mercilessly crashed on top of her.
"If I win, you do as I say Teela… no arguments, no long face…you accept your role and responsibilities as queen and give it the same commitment and passion as you have when you were a soldier in the king's army."
Teela pushed him with all her might and they both sprung up in the air before landing firmly on their feet in combat.
Adam knew he could have beaten her in shorter span of time despite the great skills that Teela possessed but he didn't want her to lose spirit and to lose face and so he dragged their fight longer than was necessary.
Being Adam's long time friend, Thundarr knew their history, knew Teela trained Adam. He knew how Adam's friendship and fondness for Teela grew into something more. He was not happy that they were fighting all because he came into the picture. He wasn't aware that the couple had other issues and that his presence was merely the match that lit the very flammable relationship they had.
Their combat was drawing attention and it was the last thing Thundarr wanted. He would smile and say "just reliving the old days when they spar for fun" when people watch the couple in awe.
To give Teela the pleasure of victory and assuaging her anger, Adam would very seldom ward of her blows except when Teela would aim for her handsome face as though scarring it would give her the ultimate pleasure.
In a glance one might think the king was in a losing battle, his expensive suit and cravat were in tatters, his white dress shirt tinge with specks of blood while Teela had not a scratch of the sword except the bruises and scratches she obtained from falling and slipping during the combat.
Adam strived to get near Teela and when he had her pinned on a tree he whispered on her right ear quite seductively, "You would have to give me a kiss for every scratch and every speck of blood your sword has ever caused my kingship."
"Not if I win," blurted Teela as she struggled to free herself.
Adam's eyes glinted of mischief.
"Don't worry, my queen… you won't," he whispered in raw passion before nibbling her ear, causing a chill down Teela's spine.
No! she screamed inside her head. I can't let him…
She pounced on Adam, aiming for his chest. She didn't want to hurt him but she can't let him win. She had to end this.
But as soon as Adam saw she was aiming for the final blow of victory, he merely disarmed her and subdued her on the ground with his body, his sword pointed at her neck.
They stared eye to eye as Adam's sword was pointed at her neck.
Adam was trying to read her thoughts but she was getting harder and harder to decipher by the day. Her lips were lush red and moist, her skin smooth and fair, he could hardly wait to make her his…
Teela could see the raging hunger and power in Adam's eyes, how she hated him but then why was his voice with his promise of sensual pleasure ringing constantly in her head?
Their silence was interrupted by the loud applause from the people that saw the spectacle.
Thundarr applauded, "Good show, guys! Good show!"
He was trying to keep up the face that they were merely engaging in a friendly combat but he knew his friend and his bride to be were in a constricting battle of the sexes.
Despite the applause and the noise surrounding them, Adam didn't take his eyes off Teela. If only he knew how to tell her he loved her.
All Teela could think about was she didn't want to be in Adam's possession, not her body, not her life, and certainly not her heart. She just can't!
With angry tears, she took the tip of Adam's sword and drove it into her heart but Adam was sharp enough to catch her intention, the sword only grazed her shoulder.