Page 50 of Journey to the Elderoak
She shivered at his words, and he cupped her face. His thumb traced her bottom lip and he allowed his gaze to roveover the delicate curve of her nose, the blush on her cheeks, her soft full lips.
“Ava,” he groaned, stepping closer.
She sucked in a breath, as if she was waiting for him to do something. To make a move. But he knew he shouldn’t while she was still learning how to cope with her trauma. So, he backed away with a sigh and disappeared into the woods, leaving her standing in the clearing.
Not yet, he told himself.
18
Abead of sweat trailed down Ava’s face as she ran through the course. She had made it past the balance beam and platforms and was working on the last couple obstacles. Casimir coached her from the sidelines, urging her to focus and utilize her legs as she pulled herself up a fifteen-foot wall using a rope.
A week had passed since the incident with the blindfold and Casimir acted like nothing happened. He hardly even looked at her, even when they sat across from each other at dinner. She was sure he had almost kissed her. And she had wanted him to.
Putting it out of her mind, she tried focusing on the task at hand, but she was even more exhausted lately. The nightmares had increased, and between the lack of sleep and her morning training sessions, she was beginning to suffer the consequences. And, to be honest, she was in a wretched mood this morning. Not just cranky. She was angry. Furious.
Hands gripping the rope, she pulled herself higher and pushed with her legs.
“Don’t get distracted,” Casimir said.
“I’m not,” she bit back, gritting her teeth as she gave another tug.
Finding a place for her right foot, she stepped higher but lost her grip on the rope and tumbled to the ground. She cursed as she rubbed her hands on her pants, wiping off the sweat.
“Yes, you are,” he said as he stood before her and crossed his arms. “Try again.”
She’d barely slept last night and could feel herself teetering on the edge of a breakdown. Tired and sore, she didn’t have it in her to do anything else.
“No. I’m done for today,” she said, remaining on the ground.
“You’re not done unless I say you are.”
“I have nothing left,” she argued.
“Get up. Try again.”
She stood and turned toward him. “No.”
“Now, princess.”
She shook her head and walked away, leaving the obstacle course, but Casimir appeared in front of her.
“Get out of my way.”
“That’s not how this works. I’m your general, and I’m telling you to get back on that course.”
Her heart surged as the storm of anger churned in her chest. She closed her eyes and took several deep breaths, trying but failing to remain calm.
“And I’m telling youno,” she seethed, opening her eyes again to stare him down.
“We don’t have time for games, Ava. We’re relying on you.”
“You don’t think I know that? That I think about it every waking moment? I’mtrying.”
“I’ll tell you what,” he said as he uncrossed his arms. “If you can get past me, I’ll let you go early today.”
“What?” She backed away.
He reached his hand out and made a ‘come here’ motion with his fingers. “Get past me. Take me down. Something.”
