Page 161 of Ravenrose

Wyatt’s already laughing.

“I thought you said you were good?” Rowan laughs, holding out a hand to her latest victim.

“And here I thought you were a proper princess.” Theo laughs, taking her hand and letting her haul him up.

She grins, letting her head fall back with her laugh.

That smile.

“Admire the rose,” she says lightly, her gaze trailing to meet mine, “but beware the thorns.”

This time, Rowan turns toward me instead. “Well?” she asks. “What about you, Captain?”

The entire training yard goes quiet.

I stare at her.

Rowan just shifts on her hips, crossing her arms like she didn’t just challenge me in front of everyone. The rune on her wrist glints in the fading light.

She can’t hurt me.

But suddenly, I’m not entirely convinced she wouldn’t find a way around it out of pure spite.

“You want to spar with me?” I ask slowly.

She nods just as slowly. “I do.”

I step into the ring. She straightens, and while the guys joke and laugh at my back, her attention is wholly focused on me.

“Careful, Princess,” I murmur as I circle her slowly. “Don’t go getting cocky now.”

“Stop hesitating.”

I lunge.

She dodges me easily, twisting sideways before dropping down, trying to hook my leg.

She’s quick—but not quick enough.

I catch her wrist, yanking her flush against me.

She hisses.

“Don’t go easy on me now,” I mutter near her ear.

“Maybe I just wanted you close.”

Wait, what?

My head jerks right to look at her, my grip loosening for a half a second as I pull back.

Mistake.

Rowan stomps down hard on my boot.

The rune burns hot across her wrist, just under my palm, and I release her. It’s more irritation than punishment. Not enough to stop her, just enough to warn her.

Rowan’s eyes widen in surprise. “Oh,” she says with a hint of delight. “So minor violence is acceptable.”