Entering Samara’s outer room, there was more light. More light to illuminate Samara’s visible embarrassment, and for her to see Ethan’s expressions more clearly.

“Samara, your chastity is the most important thing that I have sworn to protect.” His eyes met hers.

Really, the most important thing? Samara rolled her eyes. “The most important thing?”

“My entire job is to protect you, yes, and your chastity, until you are fully trained and can best me in combat.” Ethan was serious.

What if I can never best him? I didn’t know I had to be able to beat him! “Oh.” Samara was stunned.

A little smile teased at the side of Ethan’s mouth. “Oh,” he said, amused. “It is only day three, Samara, and day one didn’t even involve training. You’re going to do fine. Today you showed a lot of improvement.”

“I did?”

“Yes, Samara. You are starting from a much lower level than I expected. It takes a lot of time to condition your body the way it needs to be. The Sisters of Mercy knew this would be your assignment and I am very upset that they let you be as weak as you are. I wish that I could chastise them for it, but I think seeing you in your full fighting glory later will be quite the revenge.” Ethan’s eyes glinted.

Revenge. I never thought I wanted revenge. I thought I just wanted… I don’t know what I want. I thought they were kind to me for how worthless I was but if they knew this was to be my assignment, how much of being worthless is what they taught me? Samara sighed.

“Now, can you show me what it was you needed assistance with, Samara?” Ethan’s voice snapped her out of her reverie.

“Yes. It’s under my tunic.” She untied her tunic and pulled it off, revealing the tight corset underneath, above the pants of her uniform. It was sturdy, meant to hold her in place, but holding her in place meant pushing her breasts together quite… tightly and definitely enhancing her cleavage.

Ethan’s breath hitched. “Turn around, Samara.” His voice wasn’t shaking but it was not as collected as it had just been.

He came up behind her and found where the laces had been tucked through, and pulled them back out. He was closer than she’d expected, maybe closer than he needed to be. He bent a little, and a gentle hand pushed her long hair over one shoulder. A tingle of electricity shot down her spine as she felt his lips kiss gently right under the nape of her neck. “I do hope you’ll be more careful in the future,” he whispered in her ear from behind. “Your chastity is important and it’s very hard for me to protect it when faced with temptation.”

Ethan gently grabbed her hands and pulled them back behind her, making sure she could reach the laces now to untie.

“I think you can care for yourself now, Samara.” Ethan quickly withdrew and left the room.

What was that? That was unexpected. How am I supposed to feel about this? He’s been watching me, closely. His rooms are next to mine. She slipped into her inner room and locked her door. She untied the corset the rest of the way, and prepared herself for bed.