CHAPTER ONE
ASHLYN
The blade sang as I struck the air.
I preferred to pretend it was striking anyone who had ever wronged me.
Fyn’s lips tilted into a steady smirk as he leaned back into the castle wall. “It always amazes me how wildly confident you are with that thing when you are?—”
“Human?” I asked. How utterly predictable of him.
“I was going to say chaotic with it, but sure we can go with that.” The sunlight highlighted the pointed tips of his ears.
“Bold words when you’ve arrived unarmed.” I sang it mockingly. “If I weren’t confident enough, only you would be to blame.”
His tunic was far too formal for sparring. It was a shame he wasn’t here for it, because I had energy to burn.
“The king and queen asked that I retrieve you.” He studied my stance—no doubt I’d hear what I was doing wrong.
My blade slid snugly into its leather sheath. “When do mysister and her husband expect me?” They rarely summoned me.
“They’re waiting for you in his study,” he said.
Whatever they wanted it apparently couldn’t wait until we all had dinner together.
“Now? I’m a mess.” Strands of hair clung to my brow. Dirt lined my pants from when I lost my footing.
“I highly doubt they’ll care.”
“You’ve delivered their message. Don’t you have somewhere else to be?” With the sword wedged awkwardly under my arm, I raked my fingers through the bottom of my mangled braid.
“The matter concerns me too.” The normal playful cadence of his voice ceased.
“Lead the way, Lord Chancellor.” I enjoyed watching his eyes narrow when I used his title.
His gaze softened as he looked down at me. “Ashlyn.”
“Fyn.” I pressed my tunic down as it bunched up around my waist.
“Never mind.” His voice grew too soft.
“Oh, suddenly you have absolutely nothing to say?”
He turned from me, heading back to the castle as if I hadn’t said anything. “We’re late. We can discuss just how much I aggravate you later.”
My sword slipped from my grip, tumbling down onto the pebbled path.
“Months of training you for this.” Fyn stopped, peering back at me. “If you insist on learning the sword, you could at least learn how to carry it.”
I picked it up and chased after him. “In case you haven’t noticed, my legs are significantly shorter than yours.”
His swift pace made it harder for me to catch up with him. “I’ve noticed.”
“Princess Ashlyn.” Fyn gestured me into the king’s study when the guard drew the door back.
My sister’s golden eyes caught mine the minute I entered. “I assure you nothing we have to say requires your weapon.”
Lioran choked on his whiskey, nearly spitting it out as I propped my sword in between the bookcases.
