"Keep trying, it just takes practice." Linda encouraged.
I was taking a break from getting my butt kicked by Logan to try my hand at archery. And I would be lying if I also didn't want to be near her again. Just like always, she looked like she stepped out of a modeling shoot. Instead of her hair being tied back, it was falling flat against her back. I must have been staring too much because she waved her hand against my face and whistled to get my attention. When I blinked and shook my head, she giggled in a way that would make me do anything to hear it all day.
"Did you say something?" I asked.
"I said, 'Try taking a breath before firing to steady your aim."
I knocked another arrow on the string of my bow and did as she said. She moved inches from my face and placed her hand gently on my abdomen. Using her other to raise my arm correctly, Linda instructed me to release.
"Loose," she commanded.
The arrow flew through the air and hit the ring furthest from the bullseye. Hey, it was better then the previous six I fired that flew into the stadium. Linda actually applauded my terrible shot.
"Well done," she said.
"Yeah, nice job." called a voice I instantly recognized. I turned to see Sean walking towards us. He still had that same angered scowl on his face.
"I heard my brother wiped the floor with you earlier. He may be Randel's best pupil, but he's still nowhere near knight level. What kind of chance do you think you have if you can't beat him?"
I was about to respond only for Linda to beat me to the punch.
"He beat you didn't he? What does that say about you?"
I snickered at her remark. And even more so when I saw Sean's face get a sunburn shade of red. Not so much when I heard his response to her defending me.
"Why don't you shut up and go play with your bow, little bitch."
That familiar feeling came over me when I heard him disrespect her like that. Almost as similar as when he did the same to Sarabi yesterday. I nearly took a step forward only to have Linda grab my wrist firmly and grab my face with her hand. Then, right in front of Sean, her lips crashed on mine. I was a bit surprised by her sudden act but didn't dare pull away from her. We stayed that way for almost a full ten seconds before coming up for air.
To add insult to injury, Linda looked Sean right in the eye and gave him a solid middle finger before grabbing me and walking towards the privacy of the armory.