A New Development

Chapter 15 – A New Development

We continued to train on the field every morning at seven am. After about two weeks of Devin showing me how to correctly punch, kick, and block; we moved on to simple escape moves from a standing position. Devin was still as intolerable as ever, but the information he has was useful, and I was getting better every day. I was able to get out of a simple wrist grab, and could get someone off me if they grabbed me from behind. Our training became longer, and Devin had actually begun to speak to me humanly, and not as if I was some sort of demon. I still hated him, and he made it clear he was forced to be there, but I actually started to look forward to our time together instead of dreading it.  

My body was taking nicely to the intense work outs too. In two weeks, I could feel the muscles start to form in my arms and legs. The little belly fat I had was barely noticeable, and my butt had begun to firm. Even though my entire body was still covered in bruises in different stages of healing, I looked healthier than I ever had. That could be because of Moira too of course. The girl never let me miss a meal, and treated me like a little sister she never had. She showed up like clockwork three times a day, and always had castle gossip even if I didn’t know who she was talking about. I even managed to get Marcus to say a few words to me, even if they were just gruff answers to questions. I did, however, catch how he looked at Moira though. Sometimes she would catch us walking back from training, and I would watch as his face would soften, and his eyes would light up. The ghost of a smile appearing anytime he was in close proximity to her. Though, I think she was clueless about it, and I wasn’t going to be the one to point it out to her. 

Of course, I was still locked into my room for most hours of the day, but I did have the immense bookshelf in my room to keep me company when Moira wasn’t around. I had finished five books, and they served as a much-needed distraction when my mind wandered to my father or the monsters that lay beneath the castle. 

“Focus faerie.” Prince Devin’s voice snapped out, pulling me from my thoughts. He was crouched low to the ground, ready to jump me. We had just started working on grappling on the ground, and honestly, I wasn’t great at it. 

I crouched down low to match him, and he launched himself into me. Sending me flying backwards, and towards the padded blue mat on the ground. I hooked my left leg over the small of his back, and used his weight against him to turn as we fell. Causing him to take the brunt of the force as we hit the mat, dust flying up from the dirty ground. My hips dug into his as I reach for his neck, but he was faster than I was, and quickly lifted his hips and turned. Causing me to tumble to the side and changing our position; Devin now shifting his weight on top of me. His hips pressed into mine, and his hands wrapped gently around my throat. I lifted my arms and tried to pry his fingers from my neck, but it was no use, he had me pinned again. I sighed in defeat, and tapped my hand on the ground, signaling that I gave up. 

“Better luck next time faerie.” Devin smirked down at me. I rolled my eyes, why was he so cocky all the time? I made an attempt to sit up, but he held fast against my neck, applying gentle pressure to keep me on the ground.  My eyes widened as I looked up at him, his blue and brown eyes were dark as he looked back at me through long lashes. I felt him gently roll his hips farther into mine, causing sparks to shoot up my body at the friction. Heat flooded my face, and my heart rate shot sky high with the strange contact. 

“D-Devin.” I sputtered out, and realization brightened his eyes. He quickly released me as if I had burned him, and rolled off me to the side. His chest lifting as he breathed heavily. I sat up on the mat, looking at the ground. There was no way that just happened, this man hates the sight of me. 

My face was still burning when Devin lifted himself from the ground, and turned away from me. 

“Tomorrow same time.” He snapped at me, and walked away without even looking in my direction. The guards weren’t even here yet to take me back to the room, but he still left through the side gate, closing it behind him. 

I sat on the mat still staring at where he had left until the Simon and Marcus came to get me. Running the event through my head over and over, attempting to pick it apart to make any sense of it. 

Marcus walked in front me, his large stature blocking out the sun as he looked down to where I sat on the mat with my arms wrapped around my knees.  Concern seemed to flash across his face, but was gone as quickly as it came. He held out his hand to help me up, I accepted it, and he pulled me to my feet easily. 

“Moira is waiting for you.” He said gruffly, and I nodded, walking back with him to the door to meet Simon who was scowling at us. Disgust evident on his face at Marcus offering some sort of kindness towards me. Marcus ignored him, though, and opened the door to let me through. 

Moira was standing outside my room, tapping her foot impatiently on the hard stone floor. Her hands on her hips in the ever brazen way that was Moira. 

“Took you long enough,” a smile spread across her face as she looked at me. “Marcus, you can’t just keep me waiting like this.” She laughed, and I looked up to see a small blush forming on Marcus’ neck. He had it bad for her. 

“Hey Moira.” I gave her a small smile and her face fell, catching on to my discomfort. She looks at me, and then over to Simon and Marcus. She stepped up to me and grabbed my chin lightly, surveying my face for any new bruises or cuts. When her search came up with nothing, she turned her attention on the two guards. 

“What did you two do!?” She demanded, and guards froze. “I swear if one of you laid a hand on her-“ Moira started, and I cut her off.

“They didn’t do anything Moira, I promise, let’s go inside.” I heard Marcus let out a breath, and he walked over to lift the large iron lock on the door. Moira pulled me into the room, and slammed the door behind her, whipped around to point an accusing finger at me. 

“Something happened.” She stated frankly, and I couldn’t do anything but nod at her. I could already feel the blush creeping up my body. I sat down on the couch, and took a small sip of water from a glass I had left there the night before. I looked up at Moira who was now pacing in front of the door.

“No one hurt me Moira, come sit down.” I patted the soft cushion beside me. She shook her head and continued pacing. 

“It’s bad enough they keep you locked up like a dog Aspen.” She snapped. Her arms were shaking in anger, and my appreciation for her swelled in my chest. Even outside of this prison, I never had a friend protect me so fiercely as she did. 

“Moira, something strange happened with the prince today.” I started, and anger blazed through her eyes. I needed to calm her down before she burnt the entire castle to the ground. “He didn’t hurt me Moira, k-kind of the opposite actually.” My face was full on red at this point, and Moira looked at me shocked, realization dawning in her bright eyes. 

“Oh, gods. Did he kiss you!?” She asked, hand on her chest feigning shock. I shook my head furiously, hair spiraling around my head. My face was so red at this point, I wouldn’t have been shocked if steam started rising from my skin.

“It was nothing! Well, I think it was nothing.” I recounted to her the short event of the day and she listened intently, eyes wide. A blush almost as red as mine creeping across her cheeks. 

“A-and then he just walked away. Leaving by myself in the training field.” I ended the story, and she continued to look at me silently. “Come on Moira! Give me some help here” I pushed her lightly on the shoulder.

“Well, Aspen,” she started “you two have been spending a lot of time together. That could evolve into some sort of, well, sexual feelings.” I groaned at her and hung my head in my hands. That’s all I needed, the prince who hated me also wanting to sleep with me. 

“I mean, can you tell me you don’t think about him?” She said with a small smirk on her face. I looked at her incredulously, but took a second to think about it. The prince was handsome, with his tousled blond hair and classical face. His body filled out everything he wore, muscles straining against his t-shirt as he moved around me on the ground. A flash of his darkened eyes filled my mind, and I felt warmth spread up into my belly, causing me to clench my legs together against the sensation. Moira watched me with curious eyes, and a smirk still on her face as I squirmed uncomfortably in the couch. 

“I can see it on your face. What’s wrong with having a little fun anyway Aspen? Your stuck rolling around on the ground with him anyway, may as well have some fun while you’re at it.” She winked at me, and I was sure my face couldn’t get any redder. 

“I-I can’t Moira.” I looked down at my hands. “I mean, I never have.” I looked back up to see shock obvious across her face. 

“Are you trying to tell me that you, curvy, gorgeous, and stunning Aspen. Have never been with anyone before?” She asked, eyes still wide, and I shook my head. 

“I was never interested. The boys in my village were always all over me because I was the only girl in town. Plus, I had to help my father with his work, and of course the endless dread of being taken to the castle when I turned eighteen left little time for romance.” I spilled out to her, and she nodded in understanding. I had kissed a boy when I was younger, around sixteen. Jonah, a brown haired, skinny, and crooked teeth boy from school had taken me down to the river to swim. When we were alone, he leaned in while I wasn’t paying attention. It was sloppy, and wet, and I had pushed him off me and ran home. Not exactly the most exciting story in the world. 

“Well, Aspen” she said, and evil glint shining in her eyes. “Consider yourself my apprentice, and class starts now.”