Chapter 83
BACKTICK_CHAPTER_TITLE: Back, Farther Back!
“Back, farther back!”
Seneca’s face beamed with excitement as he waved urgently at the workers, urging them to set the target even farther away. In all seriousness, the priest had first cleared away the practice bow and arrows, then personally handed each bow to Arkin and Nefetia.
Arkin gripped his bow and stepped forward. A few strides away, Nefetia also took her place. Somehow they were now facing each other alone. Petra, who had been a fine archer herself, had waved off the challenge with a loud “No way!”, declaring she refused to lose. Thus the contest became a man-versus-woman showdown.
Behind them the trainee students buzzed with excitement, trying to predict the winner. Arkin paid little attention to their chatter as he approached the central quiver. Instead of the usual practice arrows, it was packed with sharp-tipped, lightweight ones.
As Arkin moved, Nefetia turned toward him as well. The moment both hands plunged into the quiver, their fingers brushed in a soft clatter.
“You little liar.”
Arkin’s slender fingers closed delicately around hers before she could pull away. His voice dropped to a low whisper. Nefetia, her curiosity already piqued, answered with a soft smile.
“Surprised?”
“Watch and see. I’ll never let you off easy.”
Their playful exchange continued while the fingers inside the quiver danced with lively tension, the quiver clattering softly, the downy fletching on the arrows tickling their wrists. Neither noticed.
“Ready!”
Seneca’s shout brought their gazes together in reluctant parting. Arkin fiddled with the ten arrows in his grip before returning to his position.
Arkin would shoot first. Under the clear sunlight that poured across the ground, he fixed his eyes on the distant target, nocked the bow, and drew the string to its limit. His left arm held the bow steady with perfect balance; every line of his powerful stance was flawless.
Relying solely on instinct and posture, he aimed at the bullseye and released. The arrow flew in a smooth arc and struck dead center. Cheers erupted from the students.
Now Nefetia’s turn. With the laughter gone from her expression, she lowered her gaze, took a deep breath, and calmly nocked her arrow. As she drew the string, the firm muscles along her shoulder and wrist stood out clearly.
Though her waist was slim and her body appeared delicate, she was in truth the strongest woman there. The sight of her sent a secret shiver down Arkin’s spine; he unconsciously ran his tongue across his lips.
Nefetia, staring hard at the target, released. With a whoosh the arrow sped like a hunter’s prey and buried itself deep in the bullseye.
Then, without pause, her next arrow also pierced straight through the center of the white mark.
“Wow… you two are amazing.”
Seneca laughed heartily, arms crossed, clearly enjoying the show more than anyone.
They alternated shots for the remaining arrows. With every deliberate pull of the string their gazes locked in quiet intensity, the air growing hotter and hotter.
Surprisingly, after all nine arrows the score remained perfectly even. The students began shouting, “The last one decides it! Go!”
“Last shot together,” Seneca suggested. Both nodded at once. Holding their final arrows, they shared a quick glance—cheeks already flushed. Their eyes burned with fierce passion, and the next instant both arrows flew across the air.
“Ha… I can’t tell from here…”
To see the results they had to fetch the target themselves. Seneca bent down, pulling every arrow one by one and comparing the hits of Arkin and Nefetia.
The deciding shot was the last one. Arkin’s arrow had just grazed the edge of the center ring; Nefetia’s struck true once more, grazing the side of her own previous arrow and driving straight into the heart of the target. The margin was razor-thin, but the victory belonged to Nefetia.
“Both of you were truly magnificent. I haven’t enjoyed such a good show in ages.”
Seneca clapped his palms until they warmed, then presented the bow to Nefetia on the spot. Her cheeks flushed faintly as she admired the fine weapon.
Arkin set his bow down and turned. The breeze threading through the olive leaves brushed his sweat-dampened tunic pleasantly.
He looked at Nefetia, placed a hand over his heart, and bowed deeply with deep affection and respect in his eyes. When their gazes met again, she was smiling brightly.
Facing that radiant face, Arkin’s chest swelled with emotion he could barely contain. He hastily turned his eyes away, heart pounding as if it might burst.
***
The archery field had taken up quite some time, so today’s training ended later than usual. Nefetia was heading down the hill with Petra, Amalfi, and Stella for dinner when she scanned the surroundings. Arkin was nowhere to be seen. Where had he gone?
“Petra, you were pretty good too—why didn’t you join?”
“If I’d taken part I would’ve placed third for sure. I want first place!”
Because they had lagged behind, the friends’ laughter was already fading. Giving up on finding Arkin, Nefetia hurried on.
The moment she stepped inside the temple, however, Arkin burst out from around the corner as if he had been waiting and seized her arm.
“Arkin?”
“Shh.”
Arkin raised a finger to his lips, eyes like those of a rabbit, and led her down a side corridor while glancing around restlessly.
“Where are we going?”
She lowered her voice, but he gave no answer. The narrow corridor was empty. As Nefetia glanced at the doors, she realized they had passed the small treatment room used during the plague outbreak.
Arkin opened the door at the very end and pushed her inside. The moment they stepped into the tiny room with nothing but a single bed, he quietly closed the door, locked it with the bolt, and turned to her. Their eyes met. He strode forward and cupped her cheeks in both hands.
“Ar… Arkin.”
Overwhelmed by the intensity in his gaze, Nefetia stammered. Those blazing blue eyes, no longer sane, tightened around her heart like a vice. He stared at her with the same unblinking intensity before lowering his head.
“….”
Arkin’s lips, meant to touch hers, instead brushed her forehead, eyebrows, the frantic pulse at her temple, then her closed eyelids, nose, and finally her chin—every inch except her lips. Yet the single-minded will to avoid her mouth remained clear.
“Arkin.”
Nefetia barely lifted her eyes to meet his. The warmth of his palms around her cheeks burned against her skin as their eyes locked in a fog of longing.
“Ah… damn it.”
Arkin’s expression twisted suddenly. Like a man who had only just regained his senses, he pulled her into a tight embrace and poured out repeated apologies.
“I’m sorry. I’m so sorry. Really, I’m sorry.”
What was he apologizing for? Her mind had already drifted into a dreamlike haze while her body melted. She knew exactly what was crushing her lower belly right now. The pounding of their joined hearts thundered like war drums.
“…I promised. I pushed you away… I’m sorry.”
Arkin drew in rough breaths, his control already evaporated. He was still trying, barely, to hold back.
“…Not even a day has passed… this can’t go on…”
The dark room was filled with their rapid breathing. Nefetia pressed her burning cheeks against Arkin’s chest and let out her own heated sigh.
“Nefetia, I’m sorry. I was acting like a madman…”
Arkin barely managed the words. The uneven rhythm of their breaths made his voice catch in her ear.
Yes. The night they had first joined their bodies had been only yesterday. Less than a full day had passed. He had claimed it was just once, with all kinds of excuses—but every excuse was worthless now.
“Arkin. It’s all right.”
Nefetia stroked his chest gently. She had not expected him to lose his senses so completely, yet she felt the same desperate longing.
“Look at me, Arkin.”
Nefetia rose on her toes and cupped his cheeks so he would see her. She whispered softly as she gazed into his trembling eyes.
“I want you too. So… hold me.”
The moment her permission fell, Arkin’s restraint shattered. He lifted her and laid her on the bed, climbing over her. His rough hands tore at her tunic, and Nefetia let out a small, involuntary laugh.
Before the flying clothes even hit the floor, Arkin covered her body with his. His scorching hands swept down her back. Feeling every shiver race across her skin, Nefetia closed her eyes.