The morning in Lexi's cottage shimmered faintly with light that did not belong to any sun. The pond outside glowed like liquid starlight, casting silver reflections across the wooden floor.
Lexi stretched, her muscles tight, her body craving movement. The night before still lingered in her mind — Derek's lips, his sudden awareness, the way he'd kissed her back. She hadn't slept much, her thoughts running in endless circles.
Tonight, she decided, she would test him.
Not with words. Not with kisses.
But with combat.
She dressed in light sparring clothes, her jade ring glinting on her finger. Derek, as always, stood near the door, armor gleaming in the false daylight of her space.
"Come outside," she ordered, voice dripping with challenge.
He followed silently, boots crunching softly against the grass as they entered the training grounds — a wide patch of earth flattened from countless fights.
Lexi turned to him, smirk curling her lips. "Last night, you showed me something unexpected. Let's see if you can do it again… with a blade."
Derek inclined his head, wordless.
Two blades shimmered into existence at her command, their edges humming faintly with jade light. She tossed one to him, and he caught it effortlessly.
They circled.
Lexi's heart raced, but not from fear. From anticipation.
She lunged first, blade flashing toward his chest. Derek parried smoothly, the clash of steel ringing out. She smirked, spinning into another strike, sharper, faster.
Derek blocked again — but this time, he pressed forward, his counterstrike forcing her back a step.
Her eyes lit up. "Oh? You dare push me?"
His voice was calm, but lower now, carrying that strange warmth she'd noticed. "You asked me to please you, Mistress. I will not hold back."
Her pulse jumped. She smirked wider. "Then don't."
The fight erupted.
Lexi spun and struck, her blade singing with power, but Derek matched her with impossible precision. Every clash sent shivers through her arms, every parry brushing them closer together.
At one moment, she ducked under his swing, only to find his hand at her waist, steadying her before she could stumble. The touch burned, electric, and though he released her instantly, the imprint lingered.
"You're learning too quickly," she teased, darting back.
His eyes never left her. "I learn only for you."
The words sent a thrill down her spine.
She lunged again, testing him. Their blades locked, faces inches apart. His breath ghosted against her cheek. For a heartbeat, they were still — a frozen moment that felt more intimate than any kiss.
Then, with a twist of strength, he shoved her back.
Lexi stumbled, caught herself, and laughed low, dangerous. "Careful, Derek. You're starting to enjoy this."
He tilted his head slightly, eyes glinting. "If you enjoy it, Mistress, then yes."
Her smirk faltered for a heartbeat. He wasn't supposed to say things like that.
The fight became faster, sharper, a dance of blades and glances. Each strike carried not only force but meaning — a test, a tease, a question.
At one point, Derek spun her blade out of line and stepped forward, pinning her wrist with his free hand. Their bodies pressed close, his strength undeniable.
Lexi's lips parted, her smirk wavering. "You dare pin me?"
His grip tightened slightly, not painful but commanding. "Only to show you I can. But the choice is always yours."
Her chest rose sharply. For a split second, she considered ordering him to let go. But instead, she tilted her chin up, lips brushing dangerously close to his.
"Then prove it," she whispered.
He kissed her — swift, fierce, then gone, like a spark before flame. And then he released her, stepping back, blade raised once more.
Her laugh rang out across the training ground, wild and sharp. "Oh, Derek. You're dangerous now."
Derek's gaze remained steady, his voice calm. "I am only dangerous for you, Mistress."
The words coiled around her spine like fire.
They clashed again, harder, faster. Each strike carried both heat and restraint, each near-miss a caress disguised as combat.
When he finally disarmed her, his blade at her throat, she smirked despite the edge pressing against her skin.
"Well," she murmured, breathless, "seems my knight has teeth after all."
Derek lowered the blade instantly, bowing his head. "My teeth exist only for your enemies."
Her smirk softened into something darker, more curious. "And if I asked you to use them on me?"
He looked at her then, his gaze unflinching. "Then I would obey."
Silence fell between them, heavy with tension.
Lexi stepped closer, pushing the blade aside, her lips hovering near his ear. "You're not supposed to make me curious, Derek. You're supposed to bore me."
His voice was softer now, but firm. "Then I have failed, Mistress."
She laughed again, low and dangerous, brushing her fingers along his jaw. "No. You've done exactly what I wanted."
When they returned inside, Lexi's body still hummed with adrenaline, her lips tingling with the memory of his stolen kiss.
Derek resumed his place by the door, silent and unmoving once more.
But Lexi knew the truth now.
Her knight was no longer just a puppet. He was something else — something loyal, unfeeling toward the world, yet terrifyingly alive when it came to her.
And she couldn't wait to see how far she could push him.