Chapter 4: Adrenaline

"Shouldn't we warm up before we start?" Aymeric arched one elegant brow as he looked at Keshi, who already had her sword in one hand and was twirling it around like it was weightless.

"I thought this was the warmup?" Despite her cool exterior, she felt all jittery inside for some reason. It was just fighting practice, but they both knew they wanted something else. A much more vigorous activity that would leave them sweating and panting and-

'Focus.'

Keshi took a breath and struck a pose.

"I think we'll be fine. Any muscle pains can be massaged out, right?"

Aymeric could feel an unusual stirring deep within him at the thought of Keshi on top of his shirtless back, kneading out the knots and rubbing him in tender spots that no one else had touched.

"True. Well then," he looked towards the door and nodded his head at the guards, "leave and please, do not disturb us."

The doors were shut, and they were finally alone in the combat training room. Various weapons aligned the walls, from swords to maces to spears and arrows used by famous (and infamous) rulers before.

Fiery torches flickered brightly around, and a well-lit chandelier above meant they could see everything. It was important to be able to read your opponent's moves and what their bodies would do next. And Keshi couldn't take her eyes off Aymeric's strong stance.

A shiver went down her spine, the anticipation building.

"Cold?" Aymeric queried.

"No," she smiled saucily, "in fact, I'm a little warm."

"Would you like to remove the rest of your armour? I'm sure it can't be comfortable after everything tonight?"

Keshi's smile became very predatory.

"Why, Ser Aymeric," her hand came to her chest, and she pretended to have an offended air, "are you asking me to remove my garments in your presence?"

Aymeric had the decency to blush, even though he was grinning.

"Only those that may impede your performance."

She scoffed.

"I'm a little offended. You think this armour will help you defeat me?"

"Oh, I could never defeat you. But I might stand a chance," he pulled out his own sword and held it in salute, "the lady decides."

"Always the gentleman."

They both fell into a defensive pose and waited, Keshi relaxing, knowing she wouldn't even try to land a hit on him.

"Now."

Both swords began to dance against one another in a beautiful, powerful rhythm, the strikes resounding around the room as they let loose.

Very much like him teaching her to dance earlier, she worked with him, her footwork in sync with his own.

The small grunts and yells from her were distracting him, but he kept his own against her.

Their hearts were beginning to pound with adrenaline. Sweat formed on their foreheads with exertion but mingled with their excitement.

Keshi couldn't help herself anymore. She wasn't one to usually play dirty but using her speed, she took him by surprise.

She got as close as she could to him and then, tucking her feet just behind his knee, gently tugged until he fell forward. He caught himself before he could crash to the floor, but he fell to one knee and looked up at her in surprise.

She placed her sword by his shoulder and stared intently into his eyes, seeing fire and passion in his cool pools.

"Keshi," he took deep breaths and gave her a crooked smile, "I didn't think you'd cheat?"

"Couldn't help myself," she moved her sword away, before letting it fall to the floor, "had to do this."

She surprised him even further by breaking the distance, grabbing his face gently in her hands and swooping down to press her lips against his.

'Finally!'

His surprise lasted only for a few seconds before he too dropped his sword and looped his arms around her.

Her shocked moan was smothered by their kiss as he tugged her closer and began to slowly move against her.

His mouth parted and his tongue gently probed against her lips and when her tongue massaged his own, something came over Aymeric. He stood up, keeping his arms around her and hoisting her with him.

She did pull back when he moved his mouth lower, peppering hot kisses against her jaw.

"You're wearing far too much," he made a noise like a growl, and she chuckled.

"Funny, I was about to say the same thing to you."

He slowed down, placing his lips against hers one last time before looking deep into her eyes.

"Will you come to my room?" He lowered her back down to the floor, his intentions obvious with the placement of his hands, "After we've dressed appropriately?"

Despite her hands still wandering over his strong shoulders, she nodded.

"Are your intentions," she could already feel how bruised and swollen her lips were getting from the attention, "honourable?"

The chuckle that went through him was dark and delicious and full of promise.

"Not at all."

"Good."

X x A short while later x X

As Keshi walked along the hallway, getting closer to Aymeric's private rooms, she felt her nerves and excitement return.

After they'd managed to prise themselves away from one another, they'd parted to their separate rooms, but determined to carry on with what they were doing, made a promise for her to come to him, wearing as little as she could get away with.

So, she'd practically run back to her rooms, stripped everything off (not even caring she'd have to tidy it up later) and threw on a simple purple dress, over comfy slip-on sandals. She brushed through her hair, tidied her tail and ears, and dabbed a tiny amount of perfume on her wrists, just enough to tempt him. Though she didn't really think she needed help with that.

And now, she found herself outside his door, she almost hesitated in knocking.

A small voice in her head was trying to convince her that he'd possibly changed her mind, but she ignored that. Her body was screaming at her to kick the door down, so she thought she'd meet them in the middle.

She reached up and knocked three times on the door, waiting.

He didn't keep her long.

And when he opened the door, her eyes widened at the delicious sight that met.

He'd changed into a loose…extremely loose, open white shirt. She could see his pale, perfectly chiselled muscles, exactly as she'd imagined. The deep 'V' of his hip bones disappearing into his bed shorts had her practically salivating.

'Oh…oh.'

She was speechless. But the little voice in her head was now screeching happily and she almost fell to the floor, wanting to roll around his feet and rub herself against his legs. But she managed to restrain herself and look back into his eyes.

"My love," his voice made her shudder, and he offered her his hand, "are you still sure?"

"Quite sure," she wet her dry lips and took his hand, letting him pull her in.

"Good," he barely had time to shut the door behind her, before they were back in the same position as earlier, only this time, with her legs wrapping around his waist and her back pressed against the door.

Their mouths connected again, and she'd never felt anything like this before. Her fingers gripped his hair and gently scratched his scalp, something that seemed to spur him on.

He moved again, switching his attention from her jaw to her neck, his teeth dragging and nipping at her pulse point.

The back of her head hit the wood with a soft 'thud', and she gasped and tried to push herself closer to him, her nipples beginning to harden.

His hand smoothed over her supple thigh, squeezing her flesh, and pulling her closer. The luscious friction was driving her mad and she wanted more. Now.

"Take me to the bed," she gasped and lightly tugged at his hair until he stopped attacking her neck.

"As my lady wishes," he replied hoarsely, kissing her senseless as he moved gracefully across the room.

As expected, he did not simply throw her down from his arms, but carefully lowered them both to his soft mattress below.

Aymeric apparently was feeling a little impatient, because his hands returned to tug at the bottom of her dress, pulling it up and exposing her flesh to the cool air.

She moaned when fingers skimmed her side, tickling her lightly and he continued to push upward, exposing her breasts before they both worked together to remove the garment altogether.

He hovered above her for a moment, smiling like a devil that had gotten a free soul.

"You are…beyond exquisite."

"Flatterer," she enjoyed him taking control, but decided to make it a bit more even, "now…you take yours off. Slowly."

He nodded his head and kneeled above her.

"Whatever you wish."

Aymeric made a show for her, peeling his shirt off slowly, his muscles tensing and un tensing as he moved.

She couldn't help herself. Knowing he could see her and knowing she was getting off to him, one hand smoothed over her breast, whilst the other slowly rubbed between her legs, her fingers gently rolling and squeezing her clit.

Aymeric's eyes grew wide, and she saw the bulge in his small shorts thicken and grow and she gestured to them.

"Off with those too."

His thumbs tucked into the waistband and slowly pushed down. When his cock sprung free, she stopped playing with herself and held out her hands for him.

"Come to me."

Aymeric laid himself back down against her and let their kiss return to the heated, senseless passion from earlier.

Her hands helped move down the shorts to his legs and he discarded them completely, their focus solely on the other.

They became a tangle of limbs on the bed, rolling around and trying to kiss and touch every inch of the other that they could reach.

When he found himself pressed underneath her, her hand moved between them, gripping, and stroking his throbbing cock.

He shut his eyes and groaned loudly at the sensation. She shifted her hips and moved her wet core over him, making him suddenly sit up and grab her around the waist.

"Look at me," he gasped out as his head pressed against her, "look at me, my love."

She did as he asked, but the overwhelming stretch made her cry out and the intensity almost had her coming then and there.

"Don't let go," was the last thing she said, because her mouth crashed down against his and she began to move with him, their hips undulating perfectly.

The combat training earlier had been a perfect idea because they both gave everything they got. Whilst he held her carefully, trying not to be too hard with his grip, her nails dug into his back, and she was sure he was going to be marked. But he seemed to like it. Thrive on it. It made his hips buck faster and sooner than she thought possible, she felt that familiar heat in the pit of her stomach beginning to kindle.

The coil inside of her tightened and whilst she'd promised to look at him, she couldn't control the overwhelming pleasure that shot through her.

Her head threw back with one loud cry as her orgasm rocked through her and Aymeric watched her, with stunned eagerness. Amid her own throes, he groaned and buried himself deep with her, letting his own release take over.

They clung to one another, feeling their movements and tremors beneath their hands. Knowing that the other caused it.

When she fell back against him, gasping for breath, he held onto her and with great restraint, lowered them both down.

They lay against one another, breathless and sweating, but knowing they would be with one another all night. And they were DEFINITELY not done with one another.

In her arms, he was not the ruler of Ishgard. In his embrace, she was not the warrior of light. They were merely Aymeric and Keshi.