Tatia

When she opened her eyes, Tatia discovered a man standing in front of her. He was tall, his shoulders broad and his body thin but muscled at the same time. He was wearing a dark blue tunic with a leather sheath hanging from his belt, and a pair of black pants. No doubt that this man was a soldier. And this situation made the princess very confused. Why would a soldier want to save the prey of the Fire army ?

• Who are you ? she asked harshly.

The man ruffled his dark hair, before staring at Tatia with his piercing light gaze below his locks. Tatia could notice every single detail of his face. His beautiful eyebrows, his straight nose and his high cheekbones. She couldn't help thinking that this man was handsome. But Tatia wasn't born yesterday. She knew that the prettiest faces were always hiding the ugliest hearts, that's why she asked him again :

• Who are you ?
• You don't need to know, he finally responded with a husky voice.

But the answer didn't satisfy the woman.

• I am not naive, she clarified. I know that you are a soldier. And a soldier wouldn't help a traitor, unless he is also one.

The man frowned.

He didn't imagine the princess of the Wind country to have such a repartee.

• I am not a traitor, he replied.
• Then what are you ?

Instead of answering to the question, the man sighed.

• Listen, I need you to do something for me...

So Tatia let out a sarcastic laugh.

• Why would I help a stranger ?
• Because I saved you.
• I didn't ask you to save me ! she exclaimed.

This was enough.

The princess was too stubborn.

The man lost his cold blood and jumped on her in a second, a knife against her throat.

• What are you doing ? she screamed, surprised. Don't you know who I am ?
• I don't care about your identity, he replied sharply. I told you what I wanted.
• And I told you that I was not going to help you !

The man pressed the knife on her skin and a drop of her blood appeared.

• You rather should consider changing your mind.
• Or what ?
• Or I will kill you.

But Tatia wasn't afraid.

The man could guess it in her eyes.

They were the eyes of a princess who was constantly brushing with death.

During a moment, It seemed like the man was intrigued by Tatia and he let his guard down. But the princess took advantage of it. She hit the soldier in the calf before escaping from his arms. The man winced and Tatia grinned. She was proud of herself.

• Don't underestimate me, she said loudly.

But then, the soldier started sneering.

The princess was taken aback.

She had escaped from him, so she couldn't understand his reaction.

Suddenly, she started feeling dizzy.

• What is happening to me ? she muttered, breathing with difficulty.

In a heartbeat, she fell to the ground.

The man was still peering at her with curiosity.

Was she going to guess what was happening to her ?

• Oh my god... your dagger... she finally added.

So the man smirked.

The princess was definitely quick-witted.

She understood that he put some poison on the blade.

• You have to take an antidot, the man added.
• What ?
• Or all your limbs will be paralyzed...

Tatia knew that he was not lying.

Because she could already feel it.

• But you're lucky, I have it.

Of course.

He was going to blackmail her.

The antidot in exchange of her help.

Tatia didn't want to give up, but she needed it.

Even if she knew that the man would not kill her because he needed her, she was suffering a lot.

• So tell me, princess... he finally asked, raising her head, do we have a deal ?

The princess sighed.

And unwilingly, she responded :

• Yes we do.