Page 49 of Uncrowned

“We’ll take it slow until we see how your body does with sudden movements.”

“A-Alright.”

Blue eyes followed me as I tossed her mask on the bed and began to circle her.

“Walk to the table, Penelope. From there, you’re going to grab your bottled water and take it to the mini fridge. Once you do that, head for the bed.”

She swallowed hard, not even nodding as she began walking forward. I stayed a few steps behind, increasing my speed as she swiped the water from the table, not even pausing in her advance. She headed for the mini fridge, spinning as I lunged for her. The bottled water bounced from my chest, and Penelope swung right for my face, missing as I ducked and barred my arm under her ass, throwing her over my shoulder.

“Dammit.”

She wiggled, and I placed her back down.

“Did that hurt?”

“No. I’m fine.”

“Good. Pick up the water. The fridge is a placement. Walk to it, head for the bed, and then loop back to the table.”

“I’m going to best you, V. I want to see this place you speak of.”

I smiled behind the mask.

“You’ll never best me, but if you get good enough, maybe I’ll take you.”

“Will you tell me about it?”

“Not yet. Walk.”

She didn’t make it three steps before I dove for her again. Penelope tried jumping out of the way, but I wrapped around her from behind, pinning her arms to her sides just tight enough that she couldn’t get them free.

“What now?”

Pressure fought against my hold. Her head went back and forth, and she slammed her bare foot on the top of my shoe. My teeth ground, but I kept my hold secure.

“Come on. I’m going to kill you. How are you getting free?”

Penelope twisted in my arms, crying out the smallest amount as she began kicking back against my shin. I could have easily brought her down, but she was already using too much strain, and the last thing I wanted was to set her healing back even more.

“Alright. We need to work on that.” I let go, turning her and nudging her back to continue. Pink tinted Penelope’s cheeks, and seriousness took her over. She wasn’t viewing this as a game. Blue eyes were intense as she kept looking over her shoulder. I let her walk the entire circle before I sprung forward. Penelope was ready, meeting me with a thrust of her palm, right for my nose. I swatted her hand away, only to deflect the fist she drove right towards my gut. She let out a yell, gripping my shirt and jerking me forward. Her kiss was hard and fast, leaving me caught off guard. When she swung for my jaw, I barely caught her fist in time.

Stunned was an understatement. I stood staring at her, feeling my body shake at how hard my heart raced. Penelope was panting and holding to her side, but her expression was full of rage.

“Your hurt. We’re done for tonight.”

“I’m fine. I want to try again.”

“And I said we’re done. Go lay down.”

A mix between a groan and growl left her. She headed to the bed, climbing on and pouting her bottom lip even more.

Me… I couldn’t get myself to move.

I had hoped Penelope would hold promise. There was no doubt in my mind now. I had found my queen, and if I kept pushing her past her breaking point, we both might somehow survive the war that was coming if she continued with that much enthusiasm.

“I want to go again. It’s only a pinching feeling. It will go away. Can we give it an hour and—I was so close.”

“You weren’t, but you did impress me.”