My teeth bite into my lower lip as I repeat how right he has to be in my mind.
They’re fine.
“Maybe tomorrow we’ll do something you like.” His voice pulls at my attention.
My brows lower as I look up at the prince.
“Something I like? Do you even know what I like, Ryder?”
The cocksure smirk on his lips has my stomach fluttering nervously.
Maybe my prince does know what I like …
***
The sun beams off the shining sword held loosely in his left hand. The metal is brilliantly bright and new. It’s clearly a new sword that’s never had a slice of blood before. It’s never met another blade in combat. It looks flawless and untouched.
Just like the fae holding it.
“You’re doubting me, aren’t you?” Ryder says, the corner of his mouth pulling up into a half smile.
My fingers tighten on the worn, metal hilt of my beloved sword. My spine is pure perfect posture, my shoulder tensing while I appear completely careless of our little pretend battle he’s about to lecture me in.
He’s left handed. His sword will strike at a different angle than I’m used to. That’s the only advantage he has here. A small one at that.
I give a casual shrug.
“You’re a prince, Ryder. How good could you really be?” My hair’s pulled back tightly, but some unruly long locks threaten to brush across my face. I take my time tucking a strand back behind my ear, my sword held almost carelessly at my side.
There’s that charming smile of his again, displaying straight, white teeth. It’s sexy actually. Not at all charming. But charming sounds safer, more gentlemanly. Ryder’s a gentleman, isn’t he?
He rests his sword against the dirt and his thigh, catching my attention as he reaches back over his head. Slowly, he tugs his white shirt off. Warm sunlight highlights his already bronze skin. Etched lines veer down into his tight jeans, my attention eating up every inch of him.
The muscles on the underside of his arms flex as he pulls the shirt off.God’s above, have his arms always been that big?The shirt is tossed to the dirt and he picks his weapon up once more, looking at me with a happy smirk on his beautiful face.
“Was that really necessary?” I ask, arching my brow at his performance.
Laughter skims through him as he smiles broadly at me.
“Well, when you’re as terrible of a swordsman as I am, you take every advantage you can.”
“Your body is an advantage?” My tone is skeptical and I force myself not to do a once over of his fantastic body again.
“Isn’t it?” he asks with a wink.
I roll my eyes, giving a long, tired sounding sigh before I make my move. My whole body lunges forward, my sword slashing through the warm morning air. And to my surprise, the former prince is ready for me. The edge of his sword hits mine with so much force I have to grip my weapon with both hands to shove him back.
He steps away from me easily; almost too easily if I’m being honest. My steps are no longer light. I stalk around him, prepared for anything he might try.
“Surprised?” he asks on a heavy breath.
Slowly, I circle him, making a nice path in the dry dirt.
“Am I surprised you could block a basic attack from a woman who weighs no more than a hundred and thirty pounds? Yeah, you’re truly impressive, my Prince.” My lips purse but my snark only makes him smile more.
The clean, white shirt he gave me this morning is snug against my skin. And he seems to notice. His eyes rake down my body, sending a shiver through me that I shove away.
I hate that he was right; his bare chest is a distracting advantage.
