The Gamble

I could feel the intensity of his gaze on my back, scorching my skin. Biting my lip, I continued sparring with Gerik, ducking and dodging while delivering blows of my own.

"Okay, okay," Gerik fell to the ground, sword on the floor, hands in the air. "I surrender, I surrender. Geez, must you always fight so hard?"

"Sorry chief," I offered a hand. He gratefully accepted.

"Nice one, Marisa!" I did not even have to turn my head to know that it was Joshua, King of Jehanne, walking towards us. "You seem to have improved greatly since the last time I sparred with you."

"She has been promoted to an assassin," Gerik rolled his eyes. "Isn't it obvious that her skills are much more honed now?"

"Hmm…well then…" Joshua rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "How about a rematch, Marisa? I'm a swordmaster; you're an assassin. It's time we reassess our abilities."

"No wagers?" I raised an eyebrow. So far, sparring with the King of Gambling always involved either money '500 gold' or companionship 'next battle, you'll have to be my battle partner'.

"Of course there're stakes," Joshua smirked. "If you win…I'll go and declare my undying love to Innes tomorrow at breakfast."

I raised a tentative eyebrow. Gerik, who was making his way out, heard too and roared with laughter at the mental image.

"Good luck, Marisa!" Gerik cheered.

"And if you win?" I narrowed my eyes. If he intended to make me declare my everlasting appreciation for Tethys tomorrow or something along those lines, I will kill him.

He did not answer my question, merely lifted his sword and aimed for my throat.

I leapt out of the way just in time, before delivering a blow of my own.

The sparring dragged on, both of us dodging and slashing, yet neither gaining any advantage of the other.

He had a good offensive attack, and his swings were clean and accurate. I, on the other hand, lacked the strength he possessed but made for with speed, which allowed me to dodge all of the blows that he dealt. I expected it to end in a tie, which would spare both of us from embarrassment tomorrow.

One minor slip, and I found myself back slammed against the wall, his legs pining me firmly to the wall, his left hand holding my right wrist in an iron grip, his right hand clutching his blade against my throat.

I looked defiantly into his eyes, panting. He was panting as well, harder than I was. "Well, what do you want as your forfeit?"

He did not appear to have heard my question. Instead, he leaned closer, till our noses were literally inches apart.

Only then was I aware of how close we were. I could hear the beating of his heart. I could see the rise and fall of his chest with every deep breath that he took. I could…smell his distinctly masculine scent that sent a faint blush creeping up my cheeks.

His eyes bored into mine. His smirk widened. "I want you."

My eyes widened his words sank in. The sword that had originally been tightly grasped in my right hand clattered to the ground.

What did he just say? He wanted me as his forfeit? What did he mean? What did he want? Why did he want me? Wasn't this going to be one of those I-shall-embarrass-you-till-you-wish-you-were-born-a-rock kind of gamble?

For a long time, neither of us moved.

What does…he want from me?

"Do you know why Gerik always loses to you when you spar?" His voice jolted me out of my reverie. He wore his usual smirk. "His abilities may not be second to yours; it's just that every time you move forward to deliver a strike, your skirt hitches up."

I flushed instantly at his words, my hands moving instinctively to make a vain attempt at making my skirt cover more of my legs.

He did not fail to take notice of my clumsy actions. Smirking, he leaned in once more.

I closed my eyes for what I expected to come.

Nothing came.

I reopened my eyes in surprise. He was, as usual smirking, one eyebrow raised this time.

"I was going to help you brush away that stray strand that was in your face, Marisa," he grinned. "What were you expecting, huh?"

Cheeks flaming, I growled at him as I picked up my shamshir and headed for the door. Stupid Joshua! Who cares about the fact that he wass my battle partner? How dare he toy with my feelings? Why did he care that Gerik had been busy observing my thighs anyway?

I was swearing to wear trousers from the next day onwards when I heard Joshua burst out into hysterical laughter behind me.

Darn! Did I just say all of that out loud?

Joshua laughed even harder.

Throwing a deadly glare at him, I turned swiftly on my heels, nearly falling over in the process, and walked out of the room.

Joshua's laughter resounded through the entire hallway.

That swordmaster would pay heavily for what he had done today.

Hello everybody! This is my 2nd MarisaxJoshua fic. I think they'll make such a good couple, both on the battlefield and as royalty. As in, in combat, they really boost each other's stats a lot and they're pretty compatible in terms of enemy targets.

No offense to anyone, but I can't stand JoshuaxNatasha. No offense to anyone again but the main reason is I can't stand Natasha. Like, who in real life has that entire I-shall-safe-the-world-even-though-I-know-die-faster-than-you-can-say-die attitude

Okay, I hope you like this chapter and the rest of the chapters. Please review, thanks! :3