Free Orion by Cyndi Goodgame Page A

tell Liz shouting all about it at the knives range.              
    “Well, seems you ’ll be teaching me something.  This is something new for me.”  He folded his arms back out to put his gloves on with amusement.
    “Now who is smug?   And you know everything, right?”
    “No, I don’t know your favorite color.”  He watched my eyes lift up to his.
    I didn ’t answer.  My reading last night left me with one clue I’m starting to figure out, I think.  Valkyrie military boys didn’t do this kind of stuff, except maybe I never really knew any. But the boy in front of me was doing a major job of trying to keep my attention.  Even sparring with the young guys back home, they weren’t allowed to speak to me unless it was technique.  Even then, I was giving more of the pointers.  I was a natural at all weapons.  Always have been.
      Well, I can try it out since I won't be staying.  If I were a Hunter girl, I ’d want his attention just fine.  He thinks I’m a Hunter girl.  That’s why he’s doing it, right?
    I motioned for him to step up.  He raised his eyebrows to question me, I assumed.  “You said you needed a lesson.  I ’ll have mine in a minute.  Where I come from there is no shame in learning a skill and gaining knowledge from another.”
    He was hesitant, but he stepped up.
    He took his favorite midnight black bow I presumed was the same from yesterday.  It was heavy, long and sleek, and not easily bent.  Just like him.  Sturdy!  His arrow was chosen and he stood back in the spot where he did before. 
    “Why do you stand so far back?” 
    He looked back at the crowd.  I could tell he didn’t like me questioning his technique in front of others, much less at all. 
    “Tall,” was all he used for an excuse.
    I took his hand and pulled him up to the spot just behind the barrier.  The current shot through us both and we locked eyes for a second as if we were both saying to stop doing it.  He glared.  I glared back.
    “Arch and aim,” I rattled off quickly.  I studied him for a second.  More than a second.  He was good-looking.  I ’d never thought much about it as to whether I’d ever have the choice in who’d I marry if they were good-looking or not.  I probably wouldn’t be allowed to choose anyway.  He’s too concerned with gaining the shipping yard’s business by marrying me to the son of the owner.                                         
    “Ahem,” he was, of course, smiling. 
    “Sorry!” I looked away, but not for long.
    Studying again, I stepped up behind him and placed my hand on his elbow.  Luckily, he was wearing a longer sleeved shirt so the sparks igniting with his touch didn ’t flare up just then.
    “Lower your elbow.”  I moved it down slightly.  His arms twitched like he might actually be uncomfortable with this.
      “Sight your arrow.  I’m left-handed—“
    “ I know .”  I heard him whisper.  The same odd fear I felt from him before was coming strong.  My hand moved to the center of his back.
    “So sight your arrow with your left eye closed, and—
    I stepped back now not touching him.
    He released and straight into Maze ’s arrow it went.  Dead center!
    He didn ’t turn, but looked at me from the side of his bow.  Everyone in the group watched and clapped.  He started to put up the bow and I put my hand out to stop him, but jerked it away when I realized it would mean touching bare skin to bare skin.  My skin heats up so much when it happens.
    “ Not so fast.  You won’t let me quit after one go at it.  Another!”  I motioned to the target.  Bold move, but I wasn’t here to be a shy mouse.  I could afford it.
    He wasn ’t too good at taking orders, so why was he doing this for me?  He looked around at several faces, and looked back at me, “As you wish.” 
    “You can teach me next.  I like the up close and personal contact sports too.”  Derrick s