Chapter Five

 

 

“All right, I'm ready to train,” I said as I walked back into the tree.

After I returned Laren to his sister, I had felt energized and ready to take on the challenge of Straton and his training. Tink had headed home to be with her family, and I had rushed back to the tree.

“Where have you been? Straton growled. “You can't just go running off... did you just say you're ready to train?”

“Yes, teach me to be a great warrior, Commander.”

“Are you mocking me?” Straton narrowed his eyes.

“No, I'm serious.”

“Oh.”

“So?”

“So, what?”

“So, are you going to teach me?” I huffed.

The other men were standing around the living room, their eyes going back and forth between Straton and me as we spoke.

“Yes, of course, I'm going to teach you,” Straton growled. “The training sessions were my idea.”

“All right then, let's get started,” I said.

“What happened?” Straton drew closer and stared down at me. “While you were gone something happened to change your mind.”

“I had some happy thoughts.”

He harrumphed loudly. “Fine, don't tell me.” Straton headed up the steps to the main entrance of the tree.

“It's the truth,” I said as I followed him.

“Fine, you thought about happiness,” Straton threw back the trap door and crawled out onto the forest floor. Then he reached a hand back to help me out. “Come on; the practice swords are already in the clearing.”

“All right.”

“Your agreeable manner is worrisome,” he noted.

“Now you're upset because I'm doing what you want?” I gave him a baffled look.

“No, I'm wondering if this is a trap.” Straton spun around, and I smacked into his chest. He steadied me with hands on my upper arms and stared hard at me again. “Are you trying to trick me, Pandora?”

“Into what?” I grimaced.

“I don't know,” he said suspiciously. “But every time I've brought you here you've moaned the whole way.”

“Moaning can be fun.” I waggled my brows at him.

“Pandora.” Straton took a deep breath. “We are all trying our best to do right by you, but we can't protect you while we lie with you in your bed.”

“Wow, you just came out and said it.” I laughed. “Why not?”

“Why not, what?”

“Why can't you protect me and sleep with me?” I scowled. I wasn't supposed to be focusing on the sexual aspect of our relationship. Tink said to lead with my heart. “Forget that,” I waved my hand. “I respect you deeply, Straton, and I'm sorry if you've felt as if I've belittled your efforts to protect me. I'm grateful to have all of you with me, very grateful that Dionysus saw fit to leave you to guard me, and I shouldn't be distracting you.”

“Really?” He gaped at me.

“I've just been lonely,” I whispered.

Straton's eyes flickered, and he swallowed convulsively.

“All of you have had years to live and experience things that I haven't,” I tried to explain what was in my heart. “I was born in a moment, and then given away to a man I barely knew. I was made to seduce, but also to love, and now I have no one. It's been weighing on me. I feel... empty.”

“I hadn't thought ...” Straton scowled. “I didn't mean to be cruel to you.”

“You haven't been,” I assured him. “I've been ungrateful, and I apologize. You're only trying to do what you think is best, and here I am, making things difficult for you.”

“You're a hard woman to resist,” he whispered.

“I am?”

“You know that you are.” Straton heaved a sigh. “That face alone.” He shook his head.

“Well, you've done a remarkable job of resisting my face,” I huffed.

Straton burst out laughing, and it was so boisterous that a flock of pixies was startled out of their tree. They took off, trailing sparkling dust in their wake.

“What?” He asked me when he finally settled. “Why are you looking at me like that?”

“You're breathtaking when you laugh,” I whispered.

Straton stared at me a moment and then turned abruptly away. He picked up a slim, wooden sword and tossed it to me. I caught it as he picked up another.

“I want you to be safe, Pandora,” Straton said. “Let's work on that, shall we?”

“All right, Straton.” I smiled softly. “Let's work on it.”