Chapter 10 : You're Losing Your Focus

Vika's POV Despite Henry's warnings, I already knew I was going to sneak out and go to the training grounds. I'd thought about it a lot. Even though there was a chance that Asher might have changed his mind and not show up, I had to go. My heart pounded in my chest with each step toward the training grounds. I kept telling myself not to be hopeful that Asher was even going to show up. When I saw him standing there, my heart beat even faster, galloping like a horse in my chest. I felt my entire body heat up at just seeing him. Giggling like a giddy schoolgirl, I quickened my pace. I wanted to be closer to him, and that desire compelled me forward. "Prince Regent Asher," I said, bowing slightly when I was close enough to talk to him. Asher raised an eyebrow at me. "I would have been happier if you had just called me Asher every time you met me. Or babe or darling if you don't mind." The wicked smile on his face really blew away my bad mood. "Why? You are Prince Regent," I replied. It was his title, and I was still a maid, though no one else was there. "We're fated mates… No status gap between mates. Just step away from all status or identities," Asher said, taking my hands in his. "At least, while we are alone together." He gave me a playful pout. I giggled. "Alright, Asher." "I never get tired of hearing you call my name." Asher grinned at me. "So, you want to learn to fight, right?" he asked, dropping my hands. "Yes. I feel like I've taught myself everything I can. If I don't get some kind of instruction, I'll never get better," I confessed. "You've chosen a good teacher, then," Asher said, pointing to himself. I couldn't help giggling, my cheeks burning slightly. I tried to compose myself quickly. Asher was training me to fight. This was supposed to be serious. "Take your fighting stance," Asher told me, ignoring my giggle outburst. I swallowed, straightening my features and getting serious. I raised my arms and squared my hips. Asher circled me, much like he had the night before, assessing the way I stood. Last time, he'd offered a few pointers. This time, his eyes were much more observant. My gaze followed his. I was wondering what he was thinking. Asher stepped up to me. He was so close that I could feel his breath on the back of my neck and the heat of his body. My whole body tensed as we stood close together like that. He grabbed my hips. I squeaked and instinctively tried to pull away. Asher chuckled but kept his grip on me. "I'm not going to hurt you," he assured. "I'm just going to make a few adjustments." I relaxed in his grasp. He used his foot to push my feet apart ever so slightly, and then he pointed my feet straight. He turned my hips slightly so their angle to my body was a little different. My skin hummed at his touch, my heart beating erratically. When I exhaled, the breath shuddered against my lips. Asher stepped away and walked around to examine how I held my arms. He put his hands around one of my fists. "Don't clench your fingers so tightly," he told me. I loosened both my hands a little. Asher's fingers lingered around mine. My face heated again. I looked down quickly when his eyes met mine. As much as I wanted to look right at him, I'd been taught never to look royalty in the eye since working for the castle. I had already been used to it. Sighing, Asher stepped back from me. I glanced up, seeing the dismay in his eyes. "We're mates, Vika," he said softly. "That means we are inseparable. You don't have to treat me so formally. Please. Just treat me as your mate." I completely surrendered to him. "Okay, but it may take me a while to correct this bad habit." I raised my eyes to his and allowed myself a brief moment of eye contact just long enough to get a smile from Asher. Next, I found it hard to overcome my years of training and education compared to the small habits I had developed over the month. Asher held his hands up on either side of his head, palms open. "Alright, I want you to strike at my palms," he said. "Alternate hits with your left and right hands and go where they go." I nodded. I started with my right hand, throwing a punch into his palm. Asher nodded, and then I went with my left hand. He wasn't blocking me or anything, just looking at my form. "Use your whole body to put the force behind each hit, twisting your torso at the hips to drive your arm forward. If you rely on arm strength alone, you'll tire yourself out too quickly," he told me. I nodded again and started moving my whole body with each hit. It was amazing how different the impact felt and how my arms were barely tired at all. Asher began to move his palms, and I had to adjust each thrust to keep hitting my target. He smirked at me. "You're doing really well," he said. I wasn't prepared for him to step forward. It completely threw off my rhythm. I tried to step back so I could hit him with the right force, but my focus had been on my hands, not my feet. I nearly tripped backward, but Asher caught my arm and steadied me. "You tricked me," I argued as I regained my balance. Asher shrugged. "You've got to learn to move your feet. By the way, tricking is also a technique used in the fight." He was a responsible trainer, wasn't he? I rolled my eyes, getting back into my fighting stance. "Alright, let's go again." Asher smiled and nodded, holding his hands up to give me targets again. This time, when he started to move, I was ready. I was able to adjust my footing to keep up with him. Everything he was teaching me tonight was about fighting and being offensive. There was no blocking or evasion or the skills used as wolf form. I couldn't help my mind wandering slightly as I trained. Now and then, our bodies would brush close together, and my breath would catch. Maybe Asher was doing it on purpose as a way to test my ability to concentrate. Each time he got close, I would be distracted. As close as I wanted to be to him, I couldn't help but remember he was engaged to Princess Devi. Even though we were mates, his engagement was still an obstacle. "You're losing your focus," Asher reminded me. I dropped my arms, pulled from my thoughts. "Maybe I need a break," I said, not voicing my real concerns to him. It might sound like I forced him to deal with it if I did. "A quick break," he said with a nod. "Okay," I said, stretching my arms out. I was happy my muscles weren't tired or sore, just like Asher said. He grabbed my wrists and pulled me closer to him. I almost tripped over my own feet again as I fell against his chest. "I can think of a few things to keep us occupied during a break," Asher murmured. "You said it was just a short break," I reminded him, not tending to leave his hug. Asher chuckled and shrugged. "Maybe we can draw it out a little longer," he said. I smiled as he leaned in and kissed me. Asher's grip on my wrists relaxed. I stepped a little closer to him, bringing my arms around his neck. A large part of me worried someone would see us, but I closed my eyes, shutting everything out except how his body felt against mine and how warm his lips were.