Her body flushed, her blood pounding. Whatever otherworldly bond connected them prevented her from moving away. She couldn't begin to imagine what a man like that would feel like in bed! To run her hands over the washboard abs or twirl her fingertips through the tight hairs dusting his chest …Or better yet, to feel his large hands and muscular body against hers ...
"Nishani," he greeted her with his normal curtness.
She cleared her throat, forcing herself to focus on his dark eyes. His face was more handsome than she remembered, more rugged with a two days' growth covering his neck and jaw. It made him all the more untamed, unlike Romas's sculpted beauty. Piercing eyes leveled on her, but she could read nothing in them, especially not what he thought of her.
She wondered why she had the sudden urge to know what he thought.
"Welcome home," she managed, and clasped her trembling hands behind her back. A'Ran turned to the boys and tossed his head. It took nothing else to send all five of them scurrying away. She couldn't remember when the outdoors had felt so small or when it'd become so humid she was sweating in place.
A'Ran retrieved one sword from its stand, flipped it in the air, and caught the blade. To her surprise, he offered it to her.
"I know you train with them," he stated.
"I suppose you'll forbid it," she said, eyeing him.
"Come."
Wondering what he was trying to prove, she took the sword and balanced it. He said nothing but dropped into a fighting stance. The sight made her uneasy.
"I'm not good enough to face you," she said, remembering how he'd beaten men bigger than him into a pulp to free her from Romas's clan.
He motioned her forward with one hand. Her heart thudded, her palms damp. He could smash her into a million pieces if he wanted. Given her blatant ignorance of his rules, he had every probable cause to do so. At least he gave her the chance to go down fighting.
She began as she had been taught, focusing on her form. A'Ran met her blows gently, redirecting them without affecting her balance. He said nothing but let her strike several times before shifting to the offensive. She blocked clumsily at first but ordered herself not to look weak in front of such a man and focused hard.
She waited for him to flex his strength and drive her into the ground, surprised when he never did. If anything, he was gentle and patient, traits she hadn't expected from a warrior. They sparred until she grew tired and lowered her weapon. Kiera wiped her forehead, unable but to admire the sheen of sweat on A'Ran's wide upper body. He straightened as she stopped and gave an approving nod.