Morning Archery, Part 1
1389 Words
Nick’s POV
Well, s**t.
That could have gone better.
I don’t know why I suddenly felt the urge to word vomit all over the girl who I previously never wanted to say more than two words to. My question about her birthday was simply out of a necessity for small talk. But then, with her answer…
Well, it intrigued me.
I’ve always found it interesting, this idea of “true mates” that is so far from anything I as a vampire will ever understand. I’m not sure I buy that Ramsay Eaton ever felt it—I think he was obsessed with Elianna Crescent, and with Red, but not in love with them.
But, then, maybe that’s Ren’s point. Maybe this “true mates” thing isn’t synonymous with love.
For some reason, I hope it isn’t.
Margery left when Ren did, which means now Luke’s coming back to me, all frustrated.
“We were just starting to strike up a real conversation!” he whines as he sits next to me at the bar. “What’d you say to piss her off?”
I consider telling him, but decide against it. “Nothing new. You know how it is with us. Nothing in common.”
“I don’t think that’s true.” He gestures for the bartender to make him another of whatever he’s having. “You’re a lot more like her than you think you are, bro.”
“Like Ren?” I ask, surprised. “What makes you say that? Do you even know her?”
“Sure, I do. She’s been coming here every summer for eight years, hasn’t she? Unlike you, I’ve just been paying attention.”
I frown. I have been paying attention, haven’t I? Enough to think I hated her, at least. “Name one thing we have in common.”
“Easy. You’re both brave. You’re both headstrong. You’re both stubborn and opinionated. And you both have hearts of gold—though you’re always reluctant to admit it.”
Hearts of gold?
“You sure you’re talking about me, brother?” I ask him quizzically.
He rolls his eyes. “You can try to put on that whole ‘I’m the cruel vampire leader they all want me to be’ face with everyone else, but you know I don’t buy it for a second. You’re not as weak as Vance, but you’re every bit as as well-meaning as he is.”
I don’t like this analysis of myself. I’d rather he see me the way I intend for everyone else to.
“Anyway,” he says as he accepts his drink from the bartender, “I’m gonna go hang out with someone less depressing than you. But can I give you some advice before I do?”
I glance grumpily at him, not gracing him with an answer but waiting nonetheless.
“Archery,” he says cheerfully. “She goes to the range every morning at sunup. You want to make up for whatever stupid thing you said to tick her off, start there.”
- - - - -
If anyone asks, I’m going because I’m supposed to convince her to marry me one day for the good of Archon. Not because I actually feel bad about ticking her off.
In all honesty, though, it’s neither of those things.
It’s that I can’t shake this newfound fascination with her.
She’s not there when I arrive. I consider hanging back until she shows up, but the weapons master, thrilled to see me, launches into a stream of questions about what I’m doing there. Not wanting to admit the reason, I make up an excuse about wanting to get some practice in and allow him to load me up with gear.
I’m a decent archer, though I prefer guns. I’ve never seen Ren with a bow and arrow, but I assume she’s good. She always slayed the boys at football, soccer, and pretty much every other sport she begged them to include her in; I assume it’s the same here.
She shows up about twenty minutes later, and I notice with a hint of amusement that the weapons master escorts her to the target right next to mine, despite there being two dozen other open ones. She eyes me cautiously when she approaches, but doesn’t object to the placement.
“Hi,” she says to me when he leaves. “Didn’t realize you were the morning archery type.”
I shrug as nonchalantly as possible. “Every once in a while.”
“Right.” She looks away from me to nock her arrow against her bow. “Or someone made you meet me here.”
I can’t help but grin. She certainly isn’t ignorant of our situation. “Maybe.”
She squints at the target as she readies her bow. I watch the concentration in her deep, scarlet eyes with appreciation, then follow the trail of her arrow when she releases it with even more appreciation. Bullseye.
I won’t go so far as to compliment her, of course.
“How does your beau feel about having a cold bed at this time of morning?” she asks casually.
She could knock me over with a feather, I’m so shocked by that question.
How does a virgin like her even fully comprehend the term cold bed? And why does she even care?
“Wouldn’t know,” I manage when I’ve regained my composure. “Strict instructions not to see her when you’re here.”
She looks amused by that. “Right. I’m sure it’s only a matter of days before she shows up in one of our bedrooms. Whether it’s yours with a corset or mine with a knife is to be determined.”
My eyes widen again. “Yours with a knife?” I repeat. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
“It means she’s f*****g crazy, Nick. And it wouldn’t be the first time she’s shown up in my bedroom to threaten me.”
My shock continues to inflame. For one thing, it’s the first time I’ve heard the Half-Breed Princess use any kind of profanity. For another, I don’t think I’ve ever heard her address me by name before. But most importantly, the way my blood boils at learning the information I wasn’t before aware of…
“She did that?” I ask, my voice suddenly a low, deep growl. “Why didn’t you tell anyone?”
She shrugs. “Archer heard the door open and was there within seconds. Would be the same if it happened again. Anyway, I’m not afraid of her, even without him. I could take her with my hands tied behind my back, and that’s without being able to shift. Fragile little thing, isn’t she? I’m surprised she doesn’t break when you make love to her.”
My jaw must be on the ground at this point. Why is it so, unbelievably sexy to hear Ren talk about beating Sabrina up? Why is it even sexier to hear her use the words make love in reference to me?
I’m a f*****g vampire. I don’t even know what making love is.
By the way, she’s right. Sabrina is too fragile.
If I were to make love to Ren…
I shake these thoughts away as I attempt to shake off the hard-on that’s attempting to collect in my phallic region.
What is happening to me?
- Writer
