Interesting.
She glares back at me, though I can feel her confidence waver. Her chin is high as she says, “Wildlings are warriors, just like you.”
That makes me almost smile. “No, Hearteater,” I say. “Notjust like me.”
In that moment, under her piercing glare, I remember I’m not wearing a shirt. I reach down to pick it up, then slip it back on, feeling her prickling embarrassment. It’s as if she hasn’t seen a man’s bare body before.
Has she not?
She’s locked in that room like a prisoner ... though she has my portaling device. For some reason, the idea of her using it for trysts makes a bitter taste spread through my mouth.
Enough. She’s takenenoughof my time and sanity.
This might finally be my chance to be rid of her once and for all. “Fine,” I say. “When I win, you will never return here again. I’ve tired of you.”
I’m tired of thinking of you.
She slowly climbs out of the tub, her clothes soaking wet and fitted perfectly against her every curve. I have to remind myself to breathe.
I take her hand, intending to portal away, ignoring its softness.
“My swords are in my room,” she says.
We’re there in a moment. By now I’m more familiar with the journey than I should be.
She looks surprised, apparently unaware she’s been usingmyportaling power. “How—”
Sparks travel up my hand from hers, and I drop it as if I’ve been burned. I need to win this duel and be rid of her as soon as possible. “I have important matters to attend to,” I bite out.
She reaches for a sword. I wonder, for a moment, why she chooses that one. Is it her favorite?
Why do I care?
“Let’s go into the forest,” she suggests.
I walk through her glass wall and feel a wave of airy shock. Does she know nothing of our kind?
Of her own father?
I frown as I watch her dislodge a loose windowpane and climb through on her stomach. Her dress catches and rips on the side. Dirt is smeared on the front of it. She doesn’t seem to care, or notice.
I walk into the woods for a few seconds, watching to see if the nature tilts toward her—if it recognizes her—but nothing happens.
I was going to let this curiosity die. But now that I’m here, I might as well test my theory. I reach out, searching ...
And find something. Power. Hidden, deep within. Wildling power.Nightshadepower.
I almost stumble forward with the discovery. So it’s all but confirmed. She is his daughter.
She is Nightshade.
She has no idea.
Why doesn’t she use her Wildling abilities? Does she not have a good teacher? Her guardians train her in swordplay. Why aren’t they helping her learn her powers?
I swallow, remembering a time when shadows didn’t lengthen when I passed. When they did not bow to me.
Enough. This is none of my business.
