Read Knightly Bonds 1: Their Majesties' Knight for Free Online

broke apart, breathing heavily.
    “Damn it, Lan.” His hands on his knees, trying to hold himself upright, Val shook his head like a dog would after an exhausting run. “No one is that good.”
    Lan used a towel to wipe the sweat from his forehead and then started doing the same with his naked chest. Val might grouse and complain, but he did put Lan through his paces.
    He grinned. “Wrong. I am.”
    Val muttered something under his breath. Lan arched his brow and threw a towel at him. “I’m thirsty,” he said. “Wanna join me?” He sheathed his sword then stepped out of the marked circle to put it back in the chest standing next to the wall. They weren’t, by any means, alone in the practice room, as many knights came here to exercise and test each other’s skills. There were many that were here just to watch him. He could feel their surreptitious glances on his back. Lan picked up a pitcher filled with water and brought it to his lips. The first gulp of water brought an instant relief to his overheated body. From the corner of his eye, he could see Val doing the same.
    “Just where did you learn to fight like that?” Val asked, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand. “Not even Teres of Ciar would be a match for you.”
    Lan hesitated, but he had learned to respect Val in the last couple of days. So, he answered with the truth. “You wouldn’t have heard of the place. It’s a small island on the sea, mostly inhabited with magicians. It’s fairly isolated. I didn’t have any magic ability,” he continued, “and was always interested in weapons. My brother fostered that interest and brought me the best teachers. I learned a lot.”
    “That would explain it, I guess,” Val muttered. His gaze suddenly sharpened and his eyes widened. “Well, would you look at that. She is back. And early at that.”
    “Who?”
    Lan followed Val’s gaze. “Oh,” he said.
    “She” was a young woman dressed in green clothes like the ones foresters usually wore. There was leather patch on her shoulder, which meant that she usually wore a bow. Her boots were made of soft leather, moving over the wooden floor with almost no sound. Her hair was gathered and twisted into a fat braid falling down her back, leaving her elfin-like face exposed to looks. Green eyes boldly met his. She cocked her head, examining him from head to toe. Lan felt himself blush. He was half-naked, and the pants he wore didn’t leave anything to imagination. What was more, he could feel himself starting to react to her blatant perusal. She grinned like she knew what kind of effect she had on him. She sauntered over, her gaze locked on his.
    “Hello there,” she said, stopping mere inches away. “You are the new one, right?”
    She kept her stance casual, but Lan knew better than to be fooled. This was not an idle lady. She moved with purpose and speed. She was small and delicately built, but there was no mistaking the strength in her body. And it was a nice body, Lan acknowledged, his own gaze roaming over her hips and waist to stop at her breasts. He licked his lips unconsciously. Small breasts, yes, but firm and full. He always preferred to be able to hold them in his hands. He could squeeze them so deliciously.
    Her grin widened.
    “Lady Galena,” Val said in strangled tones, then to Lan’s surprise, practically bolted. Huh. That was strange. Lan returned his gaze to woman.
    Yes, he slept with men. However, more often, he slept with women. He enjoyed them, learned how to pleasure and treasure them. He had fond memories of each of his mistresses, while with men there were only fast and furious couplings.
    Each and every one of the women was special. They had to intrigue him in some way before he would sleep with them. This one here looked like she fit the bill.
    Damn it. He didn’t think Arin would take it kindly if he happened to choose a mistress right now. Then again...
    She picked up a wooden staff and rotated it experimentally.