Page 377 of The Academy of Blood & Shadow

I get to my feet. "Then consider me self-taught."

He stares at the red mark on his wrist. "I'm telling Father."

"He'll be proud."

"Debatable."

We abandon weapons. Hand-to-hand. Better. Harder. Caelen knows every weak point I've ever had. I know his too. He favors his left knee when tired. He hates being crowded. His right shoulder tightens before he throws. I remember. He remembers. We're both adapting. At some point, competition turns into joy.

Not happiness exactly. Something close. We are trying to hurt each other enough to win without ever actually wanting the other hurt. Sibling language. Perhaps the oldest one we have. Caelen knocks me down. I drag him with me. He swears. I laugh. He gets me in a hold. I elbow him. He nearly chokes me with his forearm. I twist. Escape. Again. Again. Again.

Finally he makes the mistake. Not physical. Emotional. He smiles. Then says: "Father would hate that stance." Old trick. Always worked. Father. Criticism. Expectation. I used to change immediately.

Get angry. Overcorrect. Caelen expects it. I know because his weight shifts. Ready for my response. Instead I stay exactly where I am. His expression changes. Too late. I move. Low. Fast. No anger.

No rushing. I catch his wrist. Redirect. Hook my leg behind his. Use his momentum. Caelen hits the mat.

Hard. Before he recovers I'm over him. Training dagger at his throat. Silence. His chest rises. Mine too. We stare at each other. Then I smile. "You're getting slow."

Caelen looks at the blade. Then at me. "I'm going to throw you out a window."

"Sounds emotional." His eyes close. I laugh. I move the dagger. Offer him my hand. He takes it. Gets up. Neither of us says anything for several seconds. Then— "That doesn't count."

I stare. "Excuse me?"

"You bit me."

"You lost after the biting."

"Psychological damage."

"Oh, fuck off." He laughs.

We sit against the wall afterward. Two bottles of water. Sweat. Bruises. Caelen's wrist now contains a beautiful impression of my teeth. Excellent. For a while, we say nothing. The good kind.

"You're better."

I look sideways. Caelen is staring at the mat. No teasing. No smile. Just truth. "I know." The answer surprises both of us. Then he smiles. Small.