I nod, but want something cleared up before we begin.
“Why did you really offer to help me?” I ask. “I don’t believe you just wanted to annoy your captain.”
“Oh, I do that without trying,” Stratton says happily. “But in truth, Your Highness, it’s my duty.”
“It’s your duty to annoy Leon?” I ask.
“No.” He smiles. “It’s my duty to help you. You’re the heir to the Trovian throne, and Filusia has had a long and fruitful friendship with the Trovian monarchy. I’m honor-bound to serve my country by helping one of our most important allies.”
I smirk, wondering exactly how many people would describe this shameless flirt as honorable. But I accept his explanation with a nod.
“Now,” he says, circling me. “The fun begins.”
* * *
LEON
I try to look away from the clearing, try to join in the discussion with the rest of my soldiers or focus on the journey ahead of us. But no matter how hard I try, my eyes keep getting drawn back to Ana and Stratton.
They move smoothly through blocks and strikes. Stratton is more than just a handsome face—he wouldn’t be in my unit if he didn’t know his stuff—and he genuinely is a good teacher. More patient than me by far. I can see he’s prioritizing defensive moves, preparing her to face opponents with physical strength and speed she can’t match. Good.
I want her to get stronger. Gods know I’d feel less of a knot in my stomach all the livelong day whenever she’s out of my sight if I knew for certain she could protect herself. So why does watching them fill me with sour resentment? Is it really just because she picked him to train with, over me?
I push the possibility away. It’s too pathetic to entertain.
But I can’t deny that it doesn’t feel right, seeing another man so close to her. Not whenI’mthe one who was touching her last night—tasting her. When it wasmyname she was crying out.
She’s a quick study—or else someone has taught her some self-defense before—because she picks up the basics quickly. Soon, Stratton’s getting her to combine a few moves into a series of dodges and parries. He moves in close behind her, his body nearly pressed to hers. He wraps a hand around her wrist, gently adjusting its position, and bends his head to say something in her ear. She laughs.
Inside me, a feral beast rears its head, longing to throw my old friend and comrade straight across the clearing. Instead, I stand.
“I think that’s enough for now,” I call, striding toward them.
Stratton tilts his head, confused.
“But we only just got started.”
“Sheonly got started. You’re done.” I see the flash of irritation in her fierce eyes. “There’s still something you need from me, isn’t there?”
“What do you mean?” she asks.
“You can call your sun power at will, but that’s not all your magic, is it? Where’s the orbital ability you used yesterday? Can you call on it now?”
Her jaw tightens, and I know I’ve guessed right.
“No,” she mutters.
“You can still only control half of your power. We need to locate the rest.”
I expect her to argue—maybe call me a few names like she did before. And I’d enjoy it, because even just having her anger directed at me is better than being ignored. But to my surprise, she immediately gives in.
“Fine,” she says, turning to Stratton. “Thank you. Maybe you can teach me some more another time.”
The beast inside me snarls at the idea, but it settles as Stratton bows his head and goes to join the others.
Ana turns to me with a shrug.
“I needed a nap anyway,” she says.
