On a Diet

I sat at my usual table in the breakfast parlor, angrily sipping my tea. I wanted sugar. And why did I want for sugar? For the same reason that I did not have a large pile of crispy, fatty bacon in front of me. That damned Prince Pharon had put me on a diet.

Now I had to wait for the servants to bring me whatever meager allotments of food that were to be my meal. I was furious.

Ordinarily, I would have ignored something this new dictate but Prince Pharon had changed the way all the participants would eat. The participant would order what they wanted to eat from the servants and then the servants would bring it up from the kitchens, like this were an inn.

I gritted my teeth in anger. So I was a little thick wasted, I worked hard. I deserved to eat!

My saucer broke with a clang as I set my teacup down a little too hard. I stared at it and fought off the urge to yell in frustration.

Closing my eyes, I attempted to let my anger go. I let out several long, slow breaths.

Suddenly, a hand fisted in my hair, dragging my head back. I readied Crush and was about to use it, when a soft, dusky mouth crashed down onto mine. I gasped and a wet tongue took advantage of the opportunity.

I sat frozen, momentarily stunned by the dizzying torrent of emotions that were whipping through me. My gaze finally registered that it was Kane's face that was inches from mine. I had guessed that from the way the scents of musk, smoke, and cedar clogged my nose and mouth.

Activate SKILL Crush lvl 7? Y or N.

My heart pounded in my chest and my face grew hot. My hands curled into fists at my sides.

Finally, Kane opened his eyes, but instead of his ruby red eyes, I saw blue like the heart of flame. Instantly, I knew this was not Kane but Ishmael, his partner.

I bit down on the tongue in my mouth. Ishmael broke the kiss, put a hand to his bleeding tongue, and smirked at me. He leaned in again and I drove my fist into his left cheek.

He staggered back, dazedly clutching at his cheek. Then he shook his head and straightened. I should have used more strength, I thought.

"You've gotten stronger." Ishmael said to me with another roguish smirk. Then turning away, he said, "Gods! Fine! It was just a casual greeting. Shut up already!" I realized that he wasn't talking to me but to Kane.

Ishmael closed his eyes. Seconds later Kane reopened them. They had returned to their normal beautiful red.

Kane began to say something then gasped.

"If your cheek hurts blame your partner." I said coldly. "I'll give you fifteen minutes, if you want to go get some ice."

Kane nodded, "I'll do that."

As he raced off, I casually picked up my tea again. I smiled. I had gotten stronger.

***

15 minutes later, Kane returned. The redness in his cheek had eased considerably.

"You smell." I commented dryly as he walked past me. He paused for a moment, then stiffly sat.

"I put on deodorant." He replied.

"Tell Ishmael not to do that again. I decide who and when I kiss someone." I said irritably as I turned my gaze on my disappointing meal.

On my plate was half a grapefruit, egg whites with hot peppers, and one slice of whole wheat toast with the smallest amount of butter imaginable. For a normal Lady, this would be an adequate meal but for a person like me, who did three hours of physical training, it wouldn't be enough.

I sighed heavily and turned a pout on Kane. He blinked and then his eyes dropped to my lips.

"Darling," I began batting my eyelashes. Kane blushed and swallowed hard, "will you order an extra plate of bacon and share it with me?" I lowered my chin slightly so I could look up at him with my sky blue eyes. He blinked rapidly.

"Uh- what- what'll you do for it?" Kane stammered his blush deepening. I gasped and lowered my gaze. I knew what he wanted but I hadn't forgiven him. I had nothing to offer him.

Then an idea hit me!

"I'll let you kill more monsters today!" I offered happily.

Kane laughed, "That's as happy as you looked when you used to offer to let me beat you in a horse race. I always won anyway." I felt another weird lurch of my heart.

"I always let you win because you always looked sad when we'd first meet up." I protested, "I could have won at anytime." I sniffed and lifted my chin. "And if you don't take me up on my offer, I'll beat you today too!" I looked down my nose at him.

"You haven't beat me yet!" Kane said, beaming at me. Then his smile fell, "I never thought we'd be able to talk like this again."

I blinked. For a minute, I'd forgotten what happened. For a minute, being with him felt like old times. I grimaced at my plate and took a bite of the egg whites. I hated egg whites.

"Do you want the bacon?" Kane offered with a smile.

I looked away, "I'm alright." I lied. It was as if I could feel Kane's disappointment. A part of me wanted to say yes, but it was still far overshadowed by the part that felt the death of my mother.

***

Kane ended up getting an extra plate of bacon for me. He slid it across our table. I had only meant to eat one piece but I devoured the whole plate.

Because of that, I held myself back in the Training Grounds and let Kane have the most kills. It was fine if I gave him the most kills every once in a while. I'd still get some and level. As if to prove this fact, my system informed me that I had reached level 13.

I forgot I wasn't alone and did a happy dance. Kane tried to hide his laughter but his shoulders were silently shaking when I looked at him. I grimaced. With a final glare at him, I allocated one STAT point to each STAT. Then I checked the time.

We had to go back it was already 9. Soon the other participants would be waking up and if they saw me like this, things could get complicated. I had forgone my overcoat today and simply wore my black cloak over my white shirt and breeches.

Additionally, I was expecting High Lord Volanti to have a lot to say about me going to the Training Grounds again. I did send a servant with a note, but he was probably sleeping, so he'd be receiving it about now. I wanted to get back quickly.

As we rode back into the palace courtyard, I saw a carriage that made my stomach drop. I grimaced as I wanted my uncle, Mr. Goldleaf, hand down his mate, my aunt, Madam Goldleaf. I pulled my hood higher over my head as Madam Goldleaf gazed around with a smile of delight.

I lowered my head as we rode past them. What were they doing here?

I glanced at Kane. He was grinning broadly over his shoulder at my guardian. A sinking feeling settled into my stomach.