Katherine gasps.
“Sorry, that was rude.” I glance over at Katherine who is biting down on her lower lip nervously.
“I know you’re just trying to get out of this,” he says. “It won’t work.”
“We were attacked. You were injured. I’m concerned about your recovery.”
Brevan tenses. “You are too kind, Princess. Are you joining us today, Lady Katherine?”
I’d almost forgotten she was there.
“If that’s alright,” she says.
“Of course. But we should get started.” He gestures toward the hall.
I walk next to him, while Katherine is on my other side. “What is wrong with you?” I whisper.
He keeps his voice quiet. “You can’t act like we’re friends, Princess. I crossed a line last night, and I apologize.”
“You saved my life. Twice,” I remind him.
“That’s my job.”
“I can still be concerned. You were hurt badly,” I hiss.
“Don’t worry about me.”
“You were at my door all night, weren’t you?”
“Again, it’s my job,” he says.
“When do you rest? Heal?” I ask.
“I’m fine, Princess. This way, we’ll be using the legionnaire training grounds today.” He picks up the pace, and I know he’s finished talking to me. I clench my jaw so tight it hurts. Why do I keep letting him get to me?
We follow Brevan to an outdoor training arena. There’s a cold gray mist drifting through the air, and the distant trees are devoid of their leaves. We’ll have snow soon.
“There are three different training rings out here,” Brevan explains. “We have weapons training, combat training, and magic training. We’re going to start with some simple combat training since you won’t typically have a weapon available.”
“Why wouldn’t we?” Katherine asks. “If it’s dangerous enough that the prince wants her to train, shouldn’t she have a knife or something?”
“Let’s not get ahead of ourselves. I wouldn’t want either of you to accidentally stab yourself,” he says.
When we reach the combat training arena, I’m surprised to see a variety of objects. There’s a log hanging by strings between two large stone columns. It sways gently as if someone is pushing it. Ladders sit propped against stone walls, and ropes dangle from other walls. I can’t even identify half the unusual things they have set up.
“What is all this?” I ask.
“This is how you learn to fight,” he says.
“By climbing ladders?” I don’t hide my skepticism.
“Yes.”
“Can’t you just show me how to stab someone?” I ask.
“Not yet,” he says. “Besides, I’m more interested in you knowing how to run away.”
“That’s not what Caiden said. He wants me to be able to defend myself,” I argue. Running won’t help me kill an emperor.
