I Got You

Traci’s POV

As soon as the meeting was over, I literally ran out of there. I wasn’t giving anyone the chance to say, “Wait, there’s something else.” Nope. Wasn’t happening.

I’d already sat through enough reports, strategies, and discussions to last me a week. If one more person tried handing me another paper or asking for another decision, I might have thrown myself out the nearest window.

Instead, I headed straight for the training arena. After changing into my training clothes, I walked onto the gym floor and immediately spotted two warriors sparring in the practice ring. Crossing my arms over my chest, I leaned against one of the support posts and quietly watched them work.

It didn’t take long before they realized I was standing there. One warrior glanced in my direction and immediately tripped over his own foot. His opponent tried taking advantage of the opening, but his punch missed by so much I wasn’t even sure who he was aiming for. Hell, it wasn’t even close.

“I think you done scared the living shit out of them, My Queen,” Elvin said with a laugh as he walked over beside me.

I smiled without taking my eyes off the ring. “It appears so.”

The poor guys were trying so hard not to embarrass themselves that they were making mistake after mistake.

I finally pushed away from the post and walked closer. “Stop for a second.”

Both warriors froze. I pointed toward the taller one. “You’re dropping your left shoulder every time before you throw your punch. You’re telling your opponent exactly what’s coming.”

He looked down at himself before nodding. “I didn’t even realize I was doing that.”

I turned toward the other warrior. “And you keep backing straight up. Every time you do that, you’re giving him control of the ring. Move to the side instead. Make him adjust to you.”

Both men nodded their heads before starting again. Almost immediately, the difference was noticeable. “There you go,” I said with a grin. “Much better.”

As time passed, I moved from one group to another, offering advice whenever someone asked. Sometimes it was something simple like correcting foot placement. Other times I’d show them a better way to block or explain how they could create an opening instead of waiting for one.

Apparently word spread through the palace faster than wildfire. Within an hour, the training arena was packed. Every ring had warriors working inside it while others practiced with partners around the room. Instead of everyone trying to outdo one another, they were helping each other improve. Laughter echoed through the gym just as often as the sounds of sparring.

It reminded me why I loved being here. No politics. No endless meetings. No one arguing over paperwork. Just warriors pushing themselves to become better than they were yesterday.

I stepped into one of the smaller rings and spent several minutes sparring with a young warrior who had incredible speed but relied too much on brute force once he got excited. After catching one of his punches, I showed him how leaving himself open made it easy for someone to counter.

He tried again. This time he adjusted exactly the way I’d shown him. “There you go,” I said with an approving nod. “Now you’re thinking instead of reacting.”

A huge grin spread across his face. “Thanks, My Queen.”

I climbed out of the ring just as Zayden walked over and casually draped an arm across my shoulders. “So, Vixen.” I looked over at him. “This is what you preferred doing instead of sitting through another meeting drinking coffee and eating snacks?”

I motioned toward the training floor. “This is productive.”

His eyes swept across the arena, taking in the warriors training harder than they had when I’d first arrived. “I’ll admit,” he said with a chuckle, “they do seem to be enjoying themselves.”

“Oh, my king!” Darren’s voice carried across the arena. Zayden looked over. “Did you come to face your queen?” He chuckled as several nearby warriors turned to watch.

Elvin folded his arms. “No way. He doesn’t have the balls to get in the ring with her.”

Laughter rolled through the arena.

I couldn’t help smiling as I lightly elbowed Zayden in the ribs. LSo what do you think, my king?” I asked, raising an eyebrow. “Do you want to spar against your queen?”

A slow grin spread across his face. Without saying another word, he extended one arm toward the ring. “After you, my love.”

The two warriors currently inside climbed through the ropes, both of them stepping aside with eager smiles as they cleared the ring for us. I climbed inside first and rolled my shoulders while Zayden stepped through the ropes behind me.

The chatter around the arena gradually faded as everyone stopped what they were doing to watch.

Zayden settled into his stance, his brown eyes never leaving mine. “I’m not going easy on you, Vixen.” A cocky grin tugged at his lips. “You asked for this.”

I dramatically brought both fists up to my eyes and pretended to wipe away imaginary tears. “Oh no,” I said with an exaggerated sniffle. “Whatever will I do?”

Several warriors laughed. Before Zayden could answer, I exploded into motion. Instead of charging him head-on, I dropped low, planted one hand against the mat, and swung my leg around in a fast sweep. His feet disappeared from beneath him. He landed flat on his back with a loud thud. The arena erupted.

“Fuck, she’s good!” one of the warriors shouted from somewhere outside the ring.

I didn’t waste a second. Before Zayden could recover, I was already on top of him with one knee pinning his arm as I leaned over him wearing the biggest grin I could manage. “Got you,” I teased.

He looked completely unfazed. “If that’s what you want to believe.”

Before I could react, both of his hands settled against my waist. With one quick twist, he rolled us over. A second later I was staring up at him while he held me against the mat, careful not to put his full weight on me.

A smug smile spread across his face. “No, my queen.” His eyes sparkled with amusement. “I got you.”

I laughed, refusing to admit defeat as I planted my feet against the mat, already planning my next move. “You might want to enjoy that while it lasts,” I said, unable to hide the grin on my face.

His eyebrow lifted. “Oh?”

I winked. “You’ve only won the first round.”