Marked by the Moon

Chapter 7 : Are We Dancing?

Asher's POV

The beautiful she-wolf's ears suddenly stood up, and she turned back.

I stood still as Vika shifted back into her human form.

She quickly got dressed. I saw her cheeks redden, and she turned away from me.

"Wait," I said. I rushed up behind her, reaching out. My hand touched her shoulder, and Vika pulled away.

"Your Highness," she said, bowing. I scoffed and shook my head.

"There's no one else around." I held my arms out to the sides.

"You're still a prince," she said, crossing her arms. I smirked at her. Yup, she still had that defiant streak.

"You don't need to act so proper with me," I said. She was my mate, for crying out loud. I wasn't going to have my mate bowing to me, even if she was a maid and an Omega.

"You were watching me training and shifting, weren't you?" Vika asked, raising an eyebrow.

"I was." I nodded and smirked again.

She met my eyes for a moment and looked away again. I watched her, c*****g my head to the side. What did she have to be nervous about?

"I was just out for a walk and saw you training. I didn't mean to disturb you. You looked like you were used to practicing alone. I thought I'd offer my services for the night," I added.

Vika scoffed and laughed mirthlessly. I raised an eyebrow at her.

"Your services?" she asked with a scoff. She wrapped her arms around herself.

"Alright, poor choice of words." I chuckled and ran my hand down my face.

Vika's lips twitched, and her arms relaxed at her sides. Good, at least she didn't feel nervous now.

"Wanna spar with me?" I asked, pointing to the sparring ring.

Vika's eyes flicked from me to the sparring ring, and then back to me. She met my eyes straight on, and my heart skipped several beats.

I held a hand out to Vika. She leaned back a few inches.

"No strings, alright?" I replied softly. "Just a friendly sparring match."

"Alright," she said. She took my hand.

A shock ran up my arm at her touch. It was like I'd just grabbed a lightning bolt. Her skin felt so soft against mine. I smiled, pressing my thumb to the back of her hand and gently caressing her.

Vika gasped. I closed my eyes, shuddering.

"Do you have much experience with a sword?" I asked. I tightened my fingers around hers and tugged her along.

"I've practiced on the dummies," she said. She pointed. I looked where she pointed at the training dummies.

"Then, I'm looking forward to seeing what you are capable of," I said, smirking at her.

She smiled back, and I saw a glint in her eyes. I grabbed a couple of training swords.

Oh, if things had been different, I would have swept Vika up in my arms right there, but I had to handle this situation carefully. No, I had to handle my mate carefully.

I c****d my head to the side, smirking. Her lovely cheeks reddened again.

Ugh, she was driving me crazy.

"Widen your feet," I told her. "Keep your weight centered in your hips and knees, and don't let yourself get knocked off balance."

Vika nodded, doing exactly what I told her. I tilted my head to the other side.

"Okay, are we actually going to spar, or are you just going to stare at me all night?" Her long eyelashes danced up and down, but her smirk told me she was joking.

"If that's what you want." I chuckled, really wishing to see her nod.

Lunging forward, I attacked Vika. She managed to block my first attack, but I was quicker than her.

Instead of blocking, she jumped out of the way, using her lightness and speed as an advantage against me.

"Good," I told her. "Use your natural skills to your advantage."

She smirked at me. I growled, leaping in again.

Clang!

Our swords slid together as Vika blocked my attack. I smirked at her and slipped my foot behind her leg. I pushed forward with my sword. Vika's eyes widened, and she tripped backward.

I watched Vika fall to the ground with a thud. She gasped and dropped her sword. She sniffed and glared at me.

"I'm sorry," I said. "I thought I was going easy." I reached a hand out to her.

Vika laughed and bounced back up to her feet. She pushed my hand away.

"Don't hold back," she said.

"Are you sure?" I asked, raising an eyebrow. She nodded.

"I'll be disappointed if you do." Her eyes seemed to be sparkling in the moonlight.

My stomach stirred. I swallowed a growl that rose in my throat. Heat filled my abdomen. I wanted her.

Vika and I continued to spar. There were moments when it seemed like she would get the upper hand, but I always found a way around her. She was good at blocking and evading, but, eventually, I'd find a way in.

Even though neither of us was holding back, it felt more like we were flirting and dancing than actually sparring. I loved watching how light and fluid Vika was on her feet.

I saw how bright her eyes got every time she almost got the better of me. I paid all my attention to her. I didn't even dare blink too many times because I didn't want to miss any changes of expression on her face.

She'd glare and attack me again.

"Are we dancing?" she asked.

"Feels like it." I chuckled. "Why are you out here alone at night?"

"It is the only time I have to myself," she admitted. "Besides, most servants aren't permitted to learn to fight."

I sighed. That was right. She was a servant, but she was so strong and gifted.

"How easily I forget," I muttered. Vika's eyes widened.

That was my opening. I lunged in, shoving Vika back with my shoulder. She grunted and fell to the ground again. I heard her groan when she landed, and she turned onto her side.

I tossed my sword aside and hurried over to her. I heard her gasp. She put her hand on her chest.

"That was my bad," I said. I held my hand out again.

Vika grabbed my hand. I smiled and tried to help her up. Vika smirked at me and yanked my arm as hard as she could.

I grunted, stumbling forward. I completely lost my balance.

"Ugh," I groaned as I landed hard on top of Vika.

I shook my head, my ears ringing. What a vixen. Vika had caught me off guard.

"I'm…" I trailed off when I looked into Vika's eyes.

She breathed heavily. I felt her breasts rising and falling against my chest. My heart pounded.

Was it my own heart I was feeling or was it hers?

I held my breath, studying her perfect features. Her green eyes were big as she stared up at me. Her golden hair framed her face like a halo.

I waited for her to ask me to get off of her, but she didn't. I watched as Vika licked her lips once… Then twice.

I put my hand on Vika's cheek. Her skin was so soft, and my whole body hummed.

"What are you looking at?" she breathed out softly. I could have stared at her for an eternity.

"You," I smirked at her. Vika's cheeks got even redder. I watched as the blush spread down her neck and to her chest.

"Pri–" I pressed my finger to Vika's lips.

"Shh," I whispered. I leaned down and pressed my lips to hers.

Vika gasped. She didn't push me away. I kissed her hungrily, her lips soft and warm.

I moaned, holding her tighter. She wrapped her arms around my neck, clinging to me.

I parted her lips with my tongue, tasting the inside of my mouth. She tasted like the sweetest, most refreshing drink of water I'd ever had.

Holy crap. I'd kissed her before. I'd kissed her that morning when I'd been dreaming.