Crimson Rebirth ( GL)

Two weeks.

Two weeks of being saddled with her. Two weeks of Ren strutting around like she owns every room she steps into, exuding that irritating confidence like it's her birthright. Two weeks of trying and failing to ignore the way she somehow always knows when danger is lurking, the way she neutralizes every threat before I can even lift a finger.

And worst of all, two weeks of watching her.

She was currently on the training grounds, sparring shirtless with one of the knights, and I couldn't look away. Not because I wanted to of course not. But her presence demanded attention, especially when she was dressed or rather, undressed like that.

Her muscled frame glistened faintly in the sun, tattoos curling around her arms and stretching across her shoulders like living flames. Her abs, carved and defined, flexed with every movement as she dodged an incoming blow with almost lazy precision.

And that cocky smirk of hers.

Damn it.

I leaned against the shaded edge of the training yard, scowling as I tried—and failed—not to let my eyes wander.

Ren had been acting strange lately, more serious and focused than usual. She was clearly onto something, some lead or clue about the recent attacks, but the infuriating woman refused to share any details with me.

The nerve.

As her sparring partner lunged again, Ren sidestepped with inhuman grace, countering with a light tap to the man's shoulder that sent him stumbling backward. She wasn't even trying, and she was winning.

I crossed my arms, my irritation bubbling over. Enough was enough. If she thought she could keep me in the dark, she was about to learn how wrong she was.

"Ren!" I called, my voice cutting through the clang of metal and shouts of the knights.

She turned to me, that insufferable grin still plastered on her face. "Princess," she drawled, wiping a bead of sweat from her brow. "To what do I owe the pleasure?"

I rolled my eyes, stalking toward her. "Stop playing dumb. You've been holding out on me."

Her eyebrows raised in mock surprise. "Holding out? On you? Perish the thought."

"Don't give me that," I snapped. "You know something about the attacks, don't you? You've been acting all... serious lately. What is it?"

Ren leaned casually on the hilt of her training sword, her gaze flicking over me with a mix of amusement and something else I couldn't quite place. "You've been watching me that closely, huh?"

I flushed, hating the heat creeping up my neck. "Don't flatter yourself. It's my job to notice when people are acting suspicious."

"Suspicious?" she echoed, feigning offense. "Princess, I'm your bodyguard. I'm doing my job."

I stepped closer, narrowing my eyes. "Then do it better and tell me what's going on."

She smirked, tilting her head as if considering my demand. "You're cute when you're bossy, you know that?"

"Ren," I growled, fists clenching at my sides.

Her smirk widened, but before she could respond, another knight approached, offering her a towel. Ren took it, slinging it over her shoulder but making no move to cover herself.

"You're impossible," I muttered under my breath.

"What was that?" she asked, leaning closer.

I stepped back, the scent of sweat and smoke clinging to her skin making my thoughts fuzzier than I'd like to admit. "I said you're impossible. And infuriating. And—"

"Hot?" she interjected, winking.

My face burned, and I sputtered incoherently for a moment before snapping, "Arrogant! That's what I was going to say."

She chuckled, the sound low and maddeningly attractive. "Sure, Princess. Whatever you say."

I gritted my teeth, refusing to let her get under my skin any more than she already had. "Just tell me what you know. Or do I have to order you?"

Ren sighed dramatically, finally straightening up. "Fine. If you must know, I've been investigating a lead. But it's nothing solid yet."

"What kind of lead?" I pressed.

"Can't say," she replied, her tone infuriatingly casual. "Don't want to get your hopes up."

I stared at her, my annoyance bubbling into outright frustration. "Ren, this isn't a game. People are trying to kill me, remember? Or has that slipped your mind?"

Her expression softened slightly, and for a moment, I thought she might actually take me seriously. But then she grinned again, that devilish glint back in her eyes.

"Trust me, Princess," she said, her voice dropping to a low murmur. "If anyone so much as looks at you the wrong way, they'll regret it."

My breath caught, the intensity of her gaze sending a shiver down my spine. I hated how she could do that, how she could make me forget my irritation with just a look.

"I don't need you to be cryptic," I said, my voice quieter now. "I need you to be honest."

Ren studied me for a moment, her smirk fading into something more thoughtful. But before she could respond, a loud, familiar voice interrupted us.

"Well, well, well. What do we have here?"

I turned to see Levan strolling toward us, his usual smug grin firmly in place. Of course, he'd choose now to show up.

Ren straightened, her expression shifting into one of polite indifference as Levan approached.

"Princess Xyra," he said, inclining his head slightly before turning to Ren. "Captain. Enjoying the view, are we?"

Ren's lips twitched, but she said nothing, her gaze flicking between me and Levan.

I groaned inwardly, bracing myself for whatever chaos was about to unfold.