I fought until my arms burned, and my shirt clung to my damp skin. Cael’s hair was coming loose, and sweat dripped down his brow. But his strikes remained as fast and forceful as ever. If I didn’t beat him soon, I’d have to forfeit to give myself enough time to get to my royal audience.
The thought of forfeiting burned my insides.
I pushed forward, the impact of our swords seeming to rattle my very bones. Then—finally—it happened. He let his sword fall less than an inch. I had an opening.
I lunged.
The next thing I knew, I was lying flat on my face.
The sandy floor felt warm beneath my cheek. My arms, knees, and ribs all ached, and I tasted coarse sand on my tongue. I spat it out, my breath coming in short, ragged bursts.
“Your problem,” Cael said cheerily as he stood over me, “is that you’re too eager for a killing strike. It makes you predictable. Easy to lead into a feint.”
I groaned and rolled over—then kicked his legs out from under him.
He landed on his ass with a grunt. “What the hell? The duel was over.”
“You tripped me. You didn’t land a hit on me.”
“Because it was obvious I’d won. You want me to bash you over the head while you’re down just to prove a point?”
I stood and dusted myself off. “Your problem—” I couldn’t help but smirk. “—is that you expect everyone to act as honorably as you do. It leaves you vulnerable to sneak attacks.”
“You’re an asshole, Valen.”
He pushed himself up—and jabbed the tip of his sword into my side. I grunted, stumbling.
“There,” he said. “Now I’ve officially won.”
I rubbed my side. “AndI’mthe asshole?”
“Not to mention a sore loser.” Cael spun his sword, looking incredibly pleased with himself. “Rematch?”
“No time. I have an audience with Her Majesty.”
The air between us shifted, and Cael eyed me closely. “Anything I should know about?”
“You’ll have to ask her.”
He frowned but didn’t argue. It surprised me that his mother hadn’t told him, but perhaps it shouldn’t have. She’d been gentle with him since he’d returned from the battle with the Netherworld, excusing him from most of his duties to allow him time to grieve.
We put away the practice swords and were bidding farewell when he suddenly stopped.
“I almost forgot. I heard you’re courting a woman from Earth.”
I stiffened. “I… Ah, yes.”
He looked at me expectantly.
“Her name is Emmeline,” I said. “She’s…”
I floundered. Cael knew me well enough that my standard lies wouldn’t pass muster. How would I describe Emmeline if she were truly my lover? I remembered gushing to Cael about Aurea once upon a time, telling him how beautiful, sweet, and gentle she was. Emmeline might be beautiful in her current form, but “sweet” and “gentle” didn’t describe her at all.
“She’s quick-witted,” I said. “Her sense of humor is rather ruthless, and she’s not afraid to turn that sharp tongue on me.”
“I’m sure she isn’t,” Cael said with a suggestive grin.
I made a scoffing sound, but now I was thinking of Emmeline using her tongue on me in more intriguing ways. Inexplicably, heat rose in my face and neck.
