Bonded Spirit

by CC Rose

Chapter 20

  Karson ambled his way along the row of tables; his jaw clenched at the sight of Connor, both grunted a greeting.

  “Connor.”

  “Karson.”

  It was cold; Connor shifted his eyes off me for the smallest of nods. I had to look away for the moment, biting my lip. The look in Karson’s eyes was full of anger and control. The stone cold glare was there. Wow! Connor wasn’t lying when he said; hate. Connor didn’t take offence to it. I made a throat noise to ease the tension.

  He turned his stony glare to me. “I know what you got up to last night Rehema.”

  My cheeks flushed.

  “And I am very disappointed in you. I don’t want you to miss your training for any reason. You will be in the Combat Yards this afternoon. You hear.”

  “Yeah. I hear. I won’t miss training.” I tilted my head, hoping my appearance showed something of how I felt. He must have seen right through it.

  “Be there. Or else.” He turned and stormed away.

  “Why does he hate you so much?” I turned my question to Connor.

  He laughed, “You didn’t even grumble about your punishment.”

  “Well, that’s not till this afternoon. But … why does he hate you?”

  “Not sure. Think he might be jealous.”

  “Ha-ha. That’s not nice.”

  “No you right. It’s because of other reasons. But you need not worry about them.”

  “Oh.” I pushed the conversation away for another day; it didn’t seem important right now. But, smiling at Connor did. “I like that potion you gave me. It makes me feel happy.”

  Another chuckle and he leaned in closer, this time his lips brushed my cheek, a tingle ran along my neck to my spine, which had me exhale with a shiver. Focusing on the words was impossible.

  “It’s for the headache I swear. The happiness is all yours.”

  My body was trembling with him, his touch, his voice, his actions, and his smile.

  “And meeting you makes me happy too,” he added.

  Staring into his eyes, I was light headed; clouds didn’t know what light was. I didn’t want to think about my workout this afternoon. I doubt I’d be ready for the punishment Karson was going to give me.

  Connor started to inform me of different Ryders that waved at me, or smiled, which had me questioning my actions. The afternoon passed by quickly, and Connor was still beside me, laughing amused, and oh, so friendly as we headed towards the Combat Yards.

  “Mind if I watch you train?”

  “Oh … I rather you didn’t today. I am lame most days, and usually get my ass kicked big time. But today it will look worse.”

  “Maybe tomorrow?” His hand touched my temple, gracing along my cheek. The tingle became a current as his fingers cradled my chin, tilting me upwards. Our eyes locked, his brown eyes of saucy hues made my cheeks flush, his smile widen. The birds chirped, the wind shifted leaves; and ever so slowly, he leaned closer. My lips parted, ready, waiting … wanting.

  The sudden roar from a dragon above had us both pull apart, glancing to the Roo’Bineyes bull we both blurted out. “Blade’Dur.”

  “I’ll meet you later on this evening in the Dinner Hall then.”

  “Definitely.” With a nod to Connor, he moved several feet from me and I turned to the Combat Yards. My face blushed with a permanent smile as I followed the path around the weights area. There was no way I would let anything dampen my mood. Even when I spotted Karson, arms folded, a stern look, his features were unreadable, emotionless.

  “Well, you look like a delgori on a bad day.” His comment had me frowning.

  Was that amusement, or an insult? I might have had the potion to make me less unstable, but it didn’t change the fact my body wasn’t responding the way my head was.

  “I see Connor has taken the liberty of introducing himself.” His raised brow had me puzzling the look. What was he not saying? “Did he give you the headache-away potion?”

  “Oh. The yellow stuff? Yep. Headache all gone. But I’m all floaty. You know Karson. I’ve never had a hangover before. I mean, I heard about it in Plumridge, but I didn’t drink as much.”

  “That’s why I told you not to drink wine. You’re too young.”

  “Tugh. What’s with you and the age thing? Would you just stop already. I’m seventeen, who cares.”

  “I do. And you could have harmed yourself if it wasn’t for Connor watching out for you.”

  “So what’s the big deal? You pissed off with him because he was. What did he do wrong?”

  “You need to train. Not date.”

  Date? Was that it? Was that why he was angry?

  “What! Where the hell did this come from and you can’t stop me dating someone. Or is this one of …You’re-Too-Young rules.”

  “You are a Ryder. You don’t have time for a relationship.”

  “Says you. You watch. I will date who I want, when I want.” I turned and Karson stood in front of me. “Damn it. What the hell are you doing? This is bullshit. You want me to suffer my summer holidays at your mercy. I can’t even have some fun, and now you want me to stop seeing Connor. That’s not fair. You have no right.”

  “I have many rights while in charge of your safety. You’re in training.”

  “Yeah. And so you punish me with no life. This is why I hate it so much.” I turned ready to storm towards my room. Karson heaved a deep breath and reached out to stop me; I pulled away from his touch.

  “I don’t mean for you to hate it. I need you to see the seriousness of being a Ryder.”

  “And I do. But why are you yelling at me. The Ryders at the party didn’t seem bothered with war, or lore or even anything about combat let alone history.”

  “They know their history. As will you. It is your place to learn. If you become distracted now with dating, it will weaken your chances of making it through your final year.”

  “No. It won’t. It’s not even dating. So, Connor and I like each other. You have no right to say we can’t see each other. Why would you do this?” I folded my arms in anger. “I just want to be happy. Like you said, and what is wrong with having someone to spend time with, other than training all the time.” I turned around, fighting the surge of emotion. “Why does everyone want to punish me for being a Ryder? Why does everyone want me to suffer? Ever since I put this stupid thing on, all I get is punishment after punishment. First, it’s because I’m from Plumridge and don’t know how to do anything, then it’s because I’m a Ryder, and don’t know how to do anything correctly, and I’m trying. I am. I love La’Kera, I do. I don’t want to change that, and I know you’re trying to teach me. I’m sort of learning … better than before. I can even remember which order the house of Royals go in now. But punishing me because of your anger towards Connor, isn’t fair to me.” I flicked at the tear. My head was starting to spin with the emotions and the punishment Karson was trying to bestow on me. Why did he have to say I couldn’t date?

  It was a long moment before Karson released a breath. He placed a hand on my shoulder, turning me around.

  “If you can get through combat this afternoon. I won’t make a comment about your dating. But, if you drink wine, or even become distracted during class lessons. You will not continue with the relationship.”

  I folded my arms. Such a choice.

  “I want you to think twice about drinking and a lot of it. As a Ryder, you shouldn’t let yourself go like that. You’re not just a danger to yourself, but to your Bond. Can you even connect to La’Kera?” His comment was spiteful.

  I narrowed my eyes and realised he was right.

  “That is why you never drink so much. You need to be alert, for the both of you.”

  “But the Royals drink all the time.”

  “Not as much as you did last night. They are not having connection problems like yourself. And as I said. If you do wrong by me, lie, or slack off in your lessons, you will end all ties with Connor.”

  End all ties? Tugh! He di
dn’t want me dating. Was he jealous, as Connor had stated. He didn’t look jealous.

  “You hear?”

  “Tugh. I get it. Fine. Get on with the beating already.” I wasn’t feeling well, the idea of moving wasn’t going to be fun, and Karson knew it.

  “No. You can do some weights, and then the boxing bag. If you haven’t managed to fall over completely, then we’ll work on combat skill. And it’s not a beating. How many times do I have to tell you.”

  Well, it sure feels like a beating.

  My warm up was slow and uncoordinated. Focusing as best I could, I made it through the weights and stumbled my way to the boxing bag, slipping on padded gloves to aid against the spar of a sand-filled bag. It was comical and annoying. The sand bag swung on its chain, which had me miss my hits. When I did make contact, it was pitiful. Karson handed me the staff and I was left wincing, blocking, and ducking his hits. My energy was useless. My timing was off, my hits were misses, my blocks were slips in concentration.

  Karson grounded the base of his staff beside him in annoyance. “That’s it Rehema. You’re done.”

  “Yeah. Glad you noticed.”

  “Stop your lip. I ask you to show modesty.”

  “Yes Karson.”

  “It’s Master. And if I catch you drinking like that, you will get the led on your back. You hear.”

  I paused in my retort. The led was a whipping and it was done publicly. That’s how Ryders were punished, not with cells or fines that dangorians get. No. Ryders were delivered pain for their crime. His brow was arched, his anger was real. “Do you understand?” His tone was close to shouting.

  “Yes.” Keeping my gaze low, I managed. “Y-Yes … Master Karson.”

  “I will see you in the morning.” Karson turned with control, his body was showing a slip in his walk, because of my actions.

  Which part in particular was he pissed off with? Me drinking. My snide remarks, my anger from before? Me, spending time with Connor after training? Or me and Connor … dating. The idea had me smiling. Was it possible? Was I going to start dating? I had known him hours at most, and already there was something there. Something … unspeakable, and clear to him and everyone else. I stumbled my way to my room, wanting to sleep, and finding a few hours of peace was all I cared about.