CHAPTER 18:
Teacher's Pet
It was the next day and Kiara was training. She kicked Set on the leg to make him fall down. He did but before he fell, he grabbed her foot and threw her to the side. She hit the cold floor but got up quickly.
"Come on, you know you and Atem can beat me" Set complained. "What's wrong?"
"I haven't trained in a bit, okay?" Kiara retorted. "I'm warming up."
"It's been half an hour" he said, grinning.
She clashed her sword against his and pushed him to the side. She hated being weak and have it pointed out, despite he was her friend. It had been days since she'd trained and she needed to regain any strength she'd lost. Set swiped his sword at her but she ducked onto the floor, leaned on her hand from behind, and kicked him on the stomach. He fell back and gasped for air while she got back up.
"Was that better?" she asked, grinning.
Set got up and gripped his sword tightly. Making her determined had worked, but he didn't want to get thrown over the whole chamber by her.
"Yes, much better" he said, catching his breath.
They clashed swords again and struggled against each other. He knocked her off to the side but Kiara dodged his sword when it came down and turned around. She connected her sword against his but he threw it away with his strength.
Damn it!, she thought.
From a decorated column, Kaen'Dre watched them train while cloaked. He was very interested and amazed even by how she fought. So small, yet determined. He'd never seen an ooman be so willed to be strong, especially when she was female. Yes, she was perfect for him. Seeing her lose her weapon, he awaited to see what she'd do. He didn't like the male and he hoped she'd win their sparring match.
Kiara ran to pick up her sword with Set on her tail. She reached it but went to the side before Set clashed his sword down. Rule 1: Never turn your back on your opponent. Facing him quickly while grabbing her sword, she clashed it under his. With all her strength, she got up and threw him back. Connecting her sword with his, they struggled back and forth until they knocked their swords away from each other.
"Hmm, quite a predicament, wouldn't you say?" Set grinned.
"For you, my dear friend" Kiara smiled, making him confused.
Taking out a dagger from a leg strap she kept it in, she held it in front of Set. He came at her and grabbed her by the wrist, surprising her. Who in their right mind comes at someone holding a dagger? He knocked it out of her hand by squeezing off her hold on it. He then grabbed her from behind quickly. Keeping her arms tied from behind with his hands, he placed his chin on her shoulder.
"You have to be able to knock me off" Set said, while she struggled. "Those other guys won't be so kind."
"I don't want to hurt you too bad" she mocked.
"We're friends, I hold nothing against you" Set said, grinning. "Besides, who says I won't enjoy your dominant side?"
He kissed her lightly on the cheek which made her blush. She had a feeling Set saw her in more than a friendly way, but she didn't. Not now. Kaen'Dre had come into her life and despite he was different and immortal, she cared for him only. She wouldn't be looking at anybody in the same manner as she saw him for a while.
Kaen'Dre, on the other hand, was furious. He felt like mauling the other male for placing his lips upon her cheek. Only he was allowed to do that, if he had lips like them, not Set! Only they could share those affectionate gestures together! He cared for her and Set wouldn't be taking her feelings away from him. Set was ooman, so how could she not care for him? Kaen'Dre did scare off pretty much any ooman with his looks, except her.
She will not become yours, he thought grimly. I care too much for her to lose her.
"Sorry Set, I keep my dominance for others" she said, simply. Then loudly, "So, now. . "
She dug her elbow into his stomach roughly which made him loosen his hold. She freed herself quickly and lay on the floor on her side. Kicking him on the legs quickly, she knocked him down onto the floor. Getting up, she threw herself on him and pinned his arms with her legs. Grabbing him by the throat with both hands, she grinned.
"I win" she said, smirking.
"You caught me off guard" he groaned. "But good."
"Sometimes you have to use brute force" Kiara said, shrugging.
She let him go and got up. Extending her hand, she helped him get up. Picking up her dagger and sword off the floor, she caught her breath. Hearing footsteps come into the room, they both looked over.
"Interesting" Atem said, grinning. "Now, it's our turn to train."
"I got beat up by your sister, now you?" Set complained. Atem laughed. "Give me a minute."
"I plan to train outside, it'll give me more realism of the field when I fight those rogues again" Atem said, pointing behind him.
"So, I get to be dirty and hurt" Set sighed. "The life of being the prince's best friend."
"Don't act like you don't love it" Atem said, grinning. "I could replace you with Aziza."
"No, not her!" Set exclaimed.
"Besides, she's my best friend" Kiara agreed. "Women stick together."
"Oh boy, come on" Atem said, looking at Set. "Before we hear another 'women will inherit the earth' speech."
"Hey!" Kiara said, placing her hand on her hips. "Go with him, Set, before I beat him down."
"As if you could" Atem said, raising his head proudly. Kiara threatened to throw her dagger at him. "Okay, Set, I'm ready!"
He nodded and joined Atem over by the entrance. Kiara waved them goodbye and watched them leave. She stretched her muscles for a bit then heard a purr behind her. Turning around, she came face to face with Kaen'Dre's invisible form.
"Aren't you a pleasing sight for a princess?" Kiara asked, smiling.
"Aren't you a beautiful sight for a warrior?" Kaen'Dre said, teasingly.
She smiled and grabbed him by the hand. Leading him to a dark and quiet side of that chamber, she let him go.
"We have to be careful, you know" she said, softly. "We will be alone for now though."
"Perfect" he said, materializing before her.
Grabbing her by the waist, he brought her body next to his. She loved feeling his hands anywhere on her body, but she loved being next to his body more.
"I saw you training, you are good" Kaen'Dre said, grabbing her hand into his. "But you can be better."
"How, my dear?" she asked, curiously. She squeezed his hand softly.
She called me 'dear', he thought happily. Excellent.
"I can train you while I am here" Kaen'Dre said, purring into her neck with his mask. "I can teach you to fight unlike any mortal so you can battle better against your opponents."
"I'd like that but. . ." Kiara said, nervously. "Have you seen our height difference? You're very strong and tall compared to me, you can crush me."
He laughed and unclasped his mask from his face. After clipping it onto his belt, he looked back at her. Leaning over, he parted his mandibles and opened his mouth to kiss her. She kissed him back instantly and placed her hands over his cheeks. They kissed each other deeply as if they'd been apart for days, except it had only been an hour. After a bit, he let go of her while leaving a smile on her face.
I wonder if there's a law that says you can't marry a god, she thought.
"I'd never harm you internally" Kaen'Dre said, touching her cheek. "We can train and you can tell me when you want to stop. You are skilled enough and can develop to be a strong warrior one day."
"You'd never have a problem with me being a fighter of sort?" Kiara asked, looking at him. "Making my own decisions? Speaking my mind? Doing what I think is right?"
"Of course not, you are a living being, you can do what you wish with your life" he said, shaking his head. "Why?"
Oh, he's absolutely perfect, she thought lovingly.
No one in her life had ever approved of her wanting to be able to fight like a warrior. Everyone wanted her to be a innocent princess, not a warrior type. But how was she supposed to help defend a kingdom with her brother when she couldn't fight? But Kaen'Dre approved of her easily without question, how could she not love him? He seemed perfect for her in every aspect, unlike anyone she'd met.
"Everyone else thinks I shouldn't" she said, softly. Then smiled, "But you're the only man that understands me though. No one else has."
"I'd never order you to do something or be something you'd be uncomfortable with" Kaen'Dre said, easily. "You are a female and you are to be respected."
She stuck her fingers underneath his mesh top and brought him forward. Backing herself against the wall, she grabbed his hands. She guided them over her waist, her sides, her abdomen, and the edges of her breasts. He clicked his throat pleasurably and traced his tongue over her neck. She moaned softly and held him closer.
"Do you plan to train me in this manner?" she asked, arching her back towards him.
"No, only when you ask me to" he said, roughly.
"As much as I love this, we should train" Kiara said, softly. He whined. "Now, Kaen'Dre."
"Fine, as you wish" Kaen'Dre sighed in disappointment and let her go.
He clasped his mask back on and cloaked. Kiara grabbed his arm easily since she was used to his outline. Grabbing his hand and raising it to her lips, she kissed his fingertips softly and let go.
"We will be alone another time" she said, smiling. "And in later days, you may be able to show me how much of a warrior you are from training in my own bed."
Walking in front of him, he couldn't help but want the female. Had she implied what he thought she did? Because if she was willing to mate with him, he'd easily succumb. Even imagining it already made him surrender to her sentence.
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Kaen'Dre griped her small wrist in his hand. Holding her up in the air, she struggled while kicking his leg. He clicked amusingly at her weak kicks.
"Think Kiara, I don't want to harm your shoulder" he said, quickly.
How can I with this pain shooting up my arm?, she yelled mentally.
They had been training for a bit but it wasn't going good with Kiara. He was so much stronger and faster than her, all she could use was her small frame against him. They were still training in the same chamber except they had locked the doors so no one could come inside.
Thinking quickly, she reached up and grasped her other hand on the one holding her. Pulling herself up, she relieved some pain off her shoulder. Now, she had to think of how to get out of his grip. Tucking her legs in, she kicked them into his lower abdomen strongly. His skin was tougher around his stomach so it was either below or on the side. He let her go and she fell to the floor on her side. He grumbled at being kicked below his stomach.
Good for me that she didn't kick me between the legs, he thought in relief.
"Was that good thinking?" she said, massaging her shoulder.
"Good, but could be quicker" he said, simply.
"That's not encouraging" she said, rolling her eyes.
"It's called realism, princess" he stated.
Kiara got up only to see Kaen'Dre charging at her. If he looked tall enough when he was in front of her, he seemed to get bigger while heading at her. She dodged to the side while still on the floor and heard him go past her. Trying to scramble up, she felt two strong arms grab her from behind the waist and pick her up. Normally, she'd love having him grab her in that way but not when they were training. She cried out when his arms squeezed her body tightly. He didn't want to hurt her but she agreed to train.
"Damn you!" she gasped.
She gripped her hands over his arms and brought her head forward. Bringing her head back, she hit Kaen'Dre in the face. He growled and loosened his grip. She kept hitting him while he loosened his hold. Gripping her feet over his thighs, she pulled herself free of his arms. Falling on the floor on her stomach, she caught her breath. It was getting harder to deflect his attacks and her muscular endurance was no match for his.
Now I know how an animal feels when it escapes a predator, she thought.
Feeling his hand grab her foot, she kicked his hand off. He growled and grabbed both of her feet instead.
"No!" she said, kicking in his grip.
"Not a good tactic" he said, tightening his hold.
"No, I mean stop! Now!" she said, quickly.
Did I harm her?, he thought worriedly.
Letting her go instantly, he let her catch her breath. She was tired from training so much her muscles ached. She wanted a warm bath so badly or to go to sleep. Getting up, Kaen'Dre grabbed her by the arm.
"No more training then?" he asked, looking her over.
"No, it's a bit hard" she said, relaxing. "I'm not used to your teaching strategies so we could start on the basics tomorrow."
"You are my first student so you have to tell me what your 'basics' are" Kaen'Dre said, sheepishly.
She was a little surprised at his comment. He fought like he already taught a student and his force, oh my! It was like hitting a stone wall. She felt like sitting down from her achy body.
"You can teach me some of your battle stances or moves, not head into fighting" Kiara said, yawning. "I am not ready for that, you're too strong."
"Is that bad?" he grinned at her. She blushed softly.
"In this aspect" she said, teasingly. "But good in others."
"And they'd be?" Kaen'Dre said, following her tone.
Even when tired, she's flirtatious, he thought.
"Wouldn't you like to now?" Kiara grinned. Then yawned, "But for now, I am going to go soak in a nice long bath."
"I thought you took one in the morning" he pointed out.
"I am sweaty and achy, I deserve it" she said, waving a hand at him.
"Well, I could always. . ." Kaen'Dre said softly and trailed off.
Turning her around, he placed his hands on her shoulders from behind. He massaged her shoulders and neck with his strong hands, making her sigh deeply. She arched her back and let him soothe her in the right angles. After a bit, he let go which made her sigh in disappointment.
"Wow, that is amazing!" she said, pleasingly.
"Well, after you are done, you can ask me" he said, teasingly.
"So, I cannot have one now?" she complained. He purred. "Fine, have it your way."
Leaning back onto his body, she placed her hands over his. He placed his head next to hers and traced a mandible over her hair.
"Do you have any idea how great you are?" Kiara whispered. "You make me so happy."
I make her happy, he thought. I am making progress.
"And I always plan to" Kaen'Dre said, softly. "Now, go attend to your bath."
He let her go and she walked towards the entrance.
"By the way, whenever you may feel like joining me in a bath, just ask" she said, looking back. Kaen'Dre smiled and bowed his head.
He activated his cloak while she opened the doors. She walked out and headed to the bathing chambers. Kaen'Dre stayed in the room wondering how lucky he was to have met her.
Am I glad I went to that waterfall 12 years ago, he thought.
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"Oh my, that is good" Kiara said, surfacing over the water again.
Splashing some warm water over her face, she remembered the warmth of Kaen'Dre's body. Trailing her fingers over her neck to her upper chest, she remembered his gentle touches against her skin. She wondered how it would've felt to have his fingers over her body, touching her in every sensitive and covered area of her body. The thought that really got to her was imagining him nude, he already wore little clothing which didn't leave much to the imagination. He was tall and strong, what didn't make her think that he was well-built in his manhood?
"Oh lord, I must not think like that" she said, wiping her face. "Who knows if we even could be in that manner? We are different."
Everyone can break a boundary and find a way, she thought.
"And he is so attractive" Kiara sighed. "I wish I could marry him."
Shaking her erotic thoughts out, she leaned back into the water and dipped her hair into it. Yawning out loud, she failed to hear the door open and close quickly. Leaning forward again, she squeezed the water out of her hair. Leaning back onto the sandstone bath, she relaxed. Hearing footsteps outside of her bath, she looked over to the right. She gasped when seeing Kaen'Dre's outlined form standing not far from her bath. Placing her hands over her breasts and tucking her legs to her chin, she made sure he couldn't see anything of her body.
I hope to death he didn't see me!, she thought.
"What are you doing here!" Kiara screeched.
"I came to see you, maybe join you" he said, regretting coming inside right away.
"No, you just scared the hell out of me!" she hissed. "You could've asked before coming up to me. If you've noticed, I'm naked here!"
"I do not see anything wrong with that" Kaen'Dre said, shaking his shoulders.
Yes, he didn't expect to see her body easily but he hadn't seen all of it. He barely saw half of her breasts and only saw her kneecaps over the water. But what he saw intrigued him until she yelled at him. Obviously, the female didn't like him seeing her body that way.
She covers herself up all the time, if she wore the clothing from a yautja female, she probably wouldn't feel nervous, he thought. Yet again, covering herself fascinates me more of how her body is.
"Well I do, so if you don't mind. . ." Kiara said, waving her hand for him to leave.
Could this be any more humiliating?, she yelled mentally.
"I will go, but there is nothing on your body for you to be ashamed about" Kaen'Dre said, smiling. She blushed under her anger. "Your body is perfect."
She couldn't help but lower her anger a bit. He thought her body was perfect? How was it that he knew the right thing to tell her all the time? She didn't think her body was, she thought it needed more muscle in it.
"Thank you, but please leave" Kiara said, blushing. "This is a bit awkward for me so I will be out shortly and meet you upstairs?"
"All right then, I am sorry to intrude" Kaen'Dre said, lowering his head.
He turned and headed for the door quietly. She felt bad for shrugging him off since all he wanted was to be with her. She wanted it to but she didn't want to walk in while he bathed and scare him to death, though it was appealing.
"Kaen'Dre!" she called quickly. He turned. "Next time we can bathe together if you wish?"
"Umm . . .all right" he said, nodding.
"By the way, you have a perfect body yourself and we will have a better occasion next time" Kiara said, smiling. "I don't mean to push you away at all, okay?"
"It was partly my fault for coming here uninvited" Kaen'Dre said, sighing. "I will see you in your room."
"All right, be careful" she called after him.
I hope I made him a bit better at least, she thought.
Seeing him walk out the door, she sighed. Kiara grabbed her small jug and filled it with water, then poured it over herself.
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"The stars look beautiful, don't you think?" Kiara asked, smiling.
"How many times have I said-" Kaen'Dre started.
"That I can only see in an infrared spectrum" they both finished.
"You do love toying with me, don't you?" Kaen'Dre said, poking her cheek softly.
"As long as I do not anger you" Kiara said, softly.
Kaen'Dre traced a mandible over her cheek gently. They had been sitting on the ledged seat of her largest window for a bit, overlooking the city. Kiara had been shy around him at first because of the bathing incident, but he got her out of her shell. A small talk fixed everything except the image of her in his mind, but he wouldn't complain.
"No, I enjoy your humor and I do need to understand it a bit better" he said, simply.
"You are funny yourself, along with being a flirt" Kiara grinned.
"A flirt? I am not the one giving invitations to bathe together" Kaen'Dre pointed out.
"Are you being humorous or serious? It's hard to tell" she said, looking at him.
"Humorous, my dear" he said, patting her head.
He called me 'dear'!, she giggled mentally. Oh, I'm acting like a adolescent, I have to be mature!
"Your dear?" Kiara grinned. "I feel special."
"Of course you are, what else do you think?" Kaen'Dre smiled at her.
Remembering that he was immortal and had spent many years apart, a thought came to her.
"Kaen'Dre, before we met up again, did you. . .did you care about anyone else deeply? Or still do?" Kiara asked, softly.
Why is she asking that?, he thought.
Kaen'Dre had never mated with anyone before but cared? Well, males are supposed to mate for offspring, not love. Sure, when he was young he may have had an attraction to a female but nothing important. Besides, none would actually even look at him when they could look at other hunters with stronger lineages. Actually, Kiara was the only person he'd come to feel anything for and it was still growing.
"No, I have not" Kaen'Dre said, shaking his head. "Most females never gave me a second glance so why should I have cared?"
Good, she thought. Wait, that makes me cruel! How can I be happy for his misfortune?
"Oh" Kiara said, nodding.
She cuddled next to his body and rested her head on his chest. He wrapped an arm around her and squeezed her arm.
"If I said that was good, would you be mad?" she asked, softly.
"Why would you want me to not have anybody?" he asked, raising his brows.
Unless she likes me, he thought and smiled.
"Well, I. .I. .I really like you, I mean I really like having you here" Kiara stuttered. "I. .I know it probably sounds selfish of me, but I like you at my side."
Why can't I tell him how I feel?, she groaned mentally. Say it! Say it!
Kaen'Dre stared down at her but she just dug her face into his chest. She was acting the same way when they had finished fighting the hard meat. He didn't understand her stuttering but the words that came out, he did. Why would she be happy if no one caught his attention? Why would she- unless. . .
"Would you be jealous?" Kaen'Dre asked, grinning. She blushed instantly. "You would, wouldn't you?"
"No! Of course not! You have your interests, I have mine" Kiara said, quickly. "If you found someone, I'd be . .happy for you."
So many lies, Kiara, her conscience said.
Kaen'Dre got interested in her quick answers which made him think she was lying. Actually, he hoped she was. He was interested in her and he wanted her to feel the same.
"So, if I had someone now, you would be happy?" he asked, setting his trap.
"Yes" she said, curtly. "Besides, you'd be happy when I marry, right?"
Kiara, on the other hand, was setting her own trap to see what she could find.
"Of course" Kaen'Dre said, grimly. "When do you plan to marry?"
"By the end of the year" Kiara lied. "Preparations are being made."
What? She can't marry one of those oomans!, he thought instantly. She didn't tell me anything!
"Who do you plan to be with?" Kaen'Dre asked, quickly.
"You may know him, it's Set" Kiara grinned. "My parents have agreed for him to be my husband. Don't you agree?"
What? Then what the hell have we been doing since I'd been here!, he yelled mentally. She's supposed to be mine!
"No, I do not find him fit" he said, casually. "Find someone else."
"You have someone, you can't tell me to!" Kiara retorted. "If you have someone, I can too! Besides, you're immortal, you find your goddess or entity and I'll find mine!"
"I thought you already had one?" he questioned. Her eyes widened. "You don't have anyone, do you?"
Oh, hell!, she thought. How to fix it?
"What? Yes, I do!" Kiara shot back. "You've seen him! I haven't seen yours at all!"
Kiara got out of his arms and stood up. Standing in front of him, she placed her hands on her hips.
"Besides, if you have someone, wouldn't she be jealous or worried that you're spending so much time with me?" Kiara asked, raising her eyebrows in a challenge. "I am a female."
She's good at interrogating, he thought. But I can be better in my lie.
"You are mortal, I am not" Kaen'Dre stated simply.
He's right at that, she thought. We're still different, so does that mean he has someone?
If he had someone, then what did he mean with all those embraces and kisses he gave her? He had to be faithful to who he courted, right? That made Kiara a bit sad, but what made her worse was the statement of immortals not being able to be with mortals. She cared for him, so was there really nothing there to fight for? Had she been wasting all her time? She turned around while feeling her stomach heavy.
"Are you all right?" Kaen'Dre said from behind. She nodded.
"Yes, yes, I'm fine" Kiara said, quickly. She turned to him, "I'm going to be honest right now, I have no marriage arrangements, Set is just my friend, and I was lying. I wanted to find some information from you I thought I could find, but ended up with something else."
"What information?" Kaen'Dre asked, sitting up.
She was lying? She set up her own interrogation!, he thought. But she's still not mating that ooman, good!
"Nothing important now" Kiara said, waving a hand. "But I found something I needed: The impossibility of being together between a mortal and immortal."
"I never said that" Kaen'Dre said, looking at her.
"Yes, you did, you implied it" Kiara said, sighing. "Anyway, my point is that. . .well, that's my personal information."
"What are you getting at, Kiara?" he said, tilting his head. "I am a bit confused."
"A mortal can never be with an immortal!" she pointed out. "They can push and push, but there will be nothing! It's pointless."
No matter what, she thought.
If there was that impossibility to, Kiara couldn't push herself to love him more. She went to sit back next to ledge but across from him. He touched her kneecap which made her draw her knees up to her chin.
"Your girlfriend may get jealous" Kiara chuckled. "I wouldn't do that if I were you."
"I always have without problems" Kaen'Dre said, looking at her.
"That was before I knew you had someone" she said, raising her eyebrows.
Kaen'Dre groaned and said, "I lied, just like you. Except I didn't gain any information."
Kiara looked at him immediately. He pulled the same scheme she did! So, he didn't have a girlfriend but he still pointed out that boundary rule. It relieved her a bit that he was free but that statement still stayed in her head. She wanted to be with him in any way possible, but if there wasn't anything to pursue, why go for it?
"It pleases me to know you have no one, but. . ." Kiara trailed off.
"But what?" he asked, concerned. The worried face she wore made him cautious.
I didn't hurt her emotions again, did I?, he thought. She didn't hurt mine. . .wait, I'm not supposed to have any in amount to how hers are.
"Nothing" she said, shaking her head. She faked a smile. "So, shall we train tomorrow?"
"Don't change the question" Kaen'Dre said, pointing his finger at her. "What is it you want to say? Get it out in the open."
"Is it. .were you lying about the boundary between our kinds?" Kiara asked, quietly.
Kaen'Dre had no idea about her people and whatever entities they believed in. But oomans could be with yautjas, if no one believed it, they could look at his two friends. Was she upset because she wanted an immortal? Or an immortal to want her? All he could say was the truth between their peoples.
"Yes, there are accounts where our kinds can be" Kaen'Dre said, nodding. "Why?"
"Really?" Kiara asked, quickly. Her face brightened. "I was just wondering about it."
Yes, it's possible to!, she thought joyfully. But should I pursue it knowing he's leaving?
"Oh, why?" he asked again.
"No reason" Kiara lied. "So, why were you lying to me?"
"You lied to me!" he pointed out.
"But I said I lied first" Kiara said back.
"You didn't give me a chance to so it doesn't count" Kaen'Dre said, crossing his arms.
"Besides, you started it" Kiara said, simply. "Why?"
"I . .I wanted to see your reaction" Kaen'Dre said, looking out the window.
"What for?" she asked, getting up. She stretched while walking to her bed.
Can I lie to her again? I've done so too much already, he sighed thoughtfully.
Tell her! Tell her!, his conscience told him.
"I wanted to see if you liked me" Kaen'Dre said, timidly.
There! It's in the open!, he yelled to his conscience. Now stop jabbing my mind!
"I like you too" Kiara said, looking back for a second.
Does he mean like me or like me?, she thought. Doesn't matter, it shouldn't, right? I mean, one of them is better than none.
Wait, does she mean it in a friendly or mate-like way?, Kaen'Dre thought in his mind. Oh, the confusion!
"No, I meant in an affectionate manner" he said, blushing a light green.
Oh, he's so cute!, she thought. But is he cute enough to pursue?
She walked over to her bed and started fixing the blankets. Asim wasn't inside so he'd come in later before everyone went to sleep. Fluffing her pillows, she looked back.
"Does it matter?" Kiara asked, tilting her head like his.
Kaen'Dre hesitated, "Yes, it does."
"Then I stand by my previous statement" Kiara smiled. She went to her drawers to pull out her sleeping gown. "Is that why you went through all that trouble?"
So that means she cares for me, right?, he thought.
"Yes, I'm an idiot, right?" Kaen'Dre asked, sheepishly.
"You're a hunter, you like the chases, right?" Kiara asked, grinning. "It makes me a bit annoyed you messed around with my mind, but as long as we cleared everything it's fine."
"I'm sorry, I get too nosy sometimes" Kaen'Dre said, closing his mandibles in shyness. "Good analogy of my being though."
"I forgive you, don't worry" she said, waving a hand. "As long as we're not fighting, besides we don't need that on your last days here."
He was so glad she wasn't angry at him after tricking her into believing some of those things. But she had done so too, but not too much. Getting up, he walked up to her and grabbed her into his arms from behind.
"I'll never hurt you so know that" he whispered into her ear. "I find you fascinating in many ways, Kiara, and I hope I will to you too."
"Fascinating how?" Kiara asked, curiously.
He leaned down and trailed his mandibles down the side of her neck. Tracing his tongue behind her ear, she shivered. Letting go, he rested his chin on her shoulder.
"In that manner, princess" Kaen'Dre said, making her blush.
"Thank you" she said, bashfully. "We should go to sleep, I am tired from training."
"We have more ahead of us tomorrow" he said, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. "But I will train you well."
"I am your first student so we will see" Kiara said, laughing. "But I'll be obedient, I'll be the perfect teacher's pet."
"Teacher's pet?" Kaen'Dre laughed. "I know what that is and you don't need to. You are a very good student as is."
"I'll be anything you want me to be" Kiara said, trailing her hand down his side.
She knows how to make me want her, all right, he thought.
"You're perfect the way you are" Kaen'Dre purred in her ear. She giggled.
"Perfect enough for you?" Kiara asked, placing her hands over his on her waist.
"More than you know" he said, biting her ear softly.
It's so hard to fight my heart and not throw him into my bed to make love to him, she thought. But I have to for now, we're not even courting or marrying.
"Let's go to sleep, Kaen'Dre" Kiara said, squeezing his hands. "We will have more time to be together tomorrow."
"Is something wrong?" he asked, worried.
"Of course not, I am just tired" she said, yawning. "So, we can either do this and have me fall asleep in your arms or have me completely energized tomorrow all to yourself."
She's no good if she's asleep, he thought. And I have to be respectful.
"Whatever my princess wants, she gets" Kaen'Dre said, letting her go.
Kiara smiled and headed to her changing section of the room. Kaen'Dre just threw his armor off along with his mesh and went to bed. Kiara came out a bit later dressed in her silky white gown and loose hair.
"I win getting to bed first" Kaen'Dre mocked her.
"That's not fair, you sleep half-naked!" Kiara said at seeing him already huddled into the covers.
"Then you should do the same to save time" Kaen'Dre said, poking his head out of his blankets. "Listen to your teacher."
He looks like a child instead of a god, she laughed in her mind.
"I don't think so" she said, blushing. "Besides, some students don't listen to their instructors. And some don't sleep with them- I mean, sleep next to them."
"I thought you would be a teacher's pet" Kaen'Dre teased and sat up. "My pet."
What a great chest he has, she thought but snapped out of it.
"Just blow out the lantern and sleep!" Kiara said, going to lock the window they had been at.
"But I'm already settled here" he groaned. "You do it."
Kiara locked the window tightly and headed to the side where Kaen'Dre slept on his side now.
"For a warrior, you sure are lazy to blow out the lights" she laughed.
"In the daylight, I am a warrior, minutes before sleeping, I am dead weight" Kaen'Dre said, stretching in his spot.
Kiara went up to him and jabbed him in the back with her elbow softly since he had his back to her. He cried out in surprise while she laughed. He tried to grab her but she ducked quickly. Walking to the center of the room, she blew out the light inside the lantern that illuminated the room.
"Now, you can sleep" Kiara said, smiling in the dark.
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End of Chap. 18. Hope everyone liked this chapter, it's a bit longer than all the rest. Thanks to everyone who reads and reviews as always!