“Kicking the dirt will not aid you in readying your bow, female.”
I got such a fright that I dropped my bow and arrow so I could cover my face with my hands. I was seconds away from going down to my knees when warm, calloused hands touched my bare shoulders.
“Dropping your bow will not help either.”
I lowered my hands from my face.
“My prince.” I breathed when I looked up and realised it was Ezah. “You scared me.”
“The wind scares you,” he mused. “Ready your bow.”
I frowned up at him. “I was trying until you interrupted me.”
He raised a brow, and I knew why. I sounded snarky. I was never snarky.
“I’m sorry, my prince.” I dropped my gaze. “I did not mean to be rude.”
Ezah’s fingers suddenly touched under my chin as he tilted my head upwards until my eyes locked with his. “You have my permission to always speak freely with me.”
My stomach dropped.
“I do, my prince?”
“You do.”
“Why?”
“Because I said so.”
I had no idea what to make of what was being discussed, so I hurriedly tried to ready my bow, but I damn well couldn’t do it. After a few moments, I turned with a sigh. “You’re making me nervous, my prince.”
“I’m not doing anything.”
“You’re watching me.”
Ezah paused. “My eyes on you make you nervous?”
“Yes.”
I didn’t see his reaction to my words because I turned forward and tried to follow the steps I’d been taught by the instructors and Princess Nova.
“Calm,” he murmured behind me as his hands once again touched my bare shoulders and slid down my arms to my wrists, where his thumbs brushed over the pulsing point of my veins. “Be gentle. Arming your bow doesn’t have to be a stressful task.”
I couldn’t reply to him as I could barely breathe.
“Look out!”
There was a roar, a scream, then I was suddenly pulled to the ground and a large, heavy body covered mine. I had no idea what had happened, but I was acutely aware that a male’s body was completely covering mine. Ezah’s body. He smelled like rain; there was a hint of sweat too, but I liked it. It was so primal, so him. It dawned on me that I should have been scared since I was scared of everything, but I knew I was safe, and I knew I felt that way because of Ezah.
“Levi! Are you okay?”
He leaned up and peered down at me.
“I’m okay.” I swallowed. “I promise.”
Ezah got us both to our feet, then he turned his head and sent a scowl in the culprit’s direction. I leaned to my right, and when I saw who he was glaring at, I blinked.
“Sorry!” Nuni shouted, holding her hands up in the air. “That was totally my fault. I forget how strong I am sometimes. My bad, everyone.”
Everyone else around the target pen began to rise to their feet once they saw that the danger had passed.
“That one wasn’t too bad if you don’t count the arrow going wild.” I heard Nuni chirp. “Shall I have another go?”
Every male within earshot panicked and shouted, “No!”
Nuni’s instructor moved close and spoke to her. Whatever he said caused her to frown up at him. Her shoulders slumped as she bobbed her head and handed her bow and quiver full of arrows to the male. Her arms hung limply by her side as she walked towards me, kicking the dirt as she went. I smothered a laugh by rubbing my hand over my face as she came to a stop near me.
She wouldn’t look at Ezah, only me.
“I’ve hereby been kicked out of archery school,” she grumbled. “For almost killing someone.”
The laughter I tried to repress bubbled up, and Nuni instantly jumped on me. She was so quick that she got me in a headlock before I could even blink. I cackled as she got me down to the ground on my back, then sat directly on my belly. I couldn’t ever remember laughing so freely, and I found I loved the feeling it brought.
“Apologise,” she playfully demanded. “How dare you find humour in my failure!”
I couldn’t say a word because I was laughing too much. She bounced on my belly twice, which caused my laughter to falter slightly.
“I’m sorry,” I managed to say. “But it is funny. You’re worse than me with a bow, and I’m bad.”
Nuni tried to keep her scowl in place, but she wasn’t really upset. Her lips twitched as she stood and held her hand out to me. I clasped it, and she pulled me to my feet. Looking down at my clothing, she snorted.
“It’s a good thing we have to wear tops and trousers when doing these lessons. We’re filthy.”
“Yeah,” I said, then glanced at Ezah, who was watching us intently. “You have to address him, Nuni.”
Nuni seemed to realise Ezah was standing near us, and she marched right up to him.