I opened my mouth, closed it. Should I be the one to drag him into the modern century? I wouldn’t be getting paid for the emotional labor.
A sigh left his lips. “The world has moved faster this time while I slept.” His uptilted eyes sank into mine. “I fear to navigate it without an anchor.”
Distantly, I was aware of the opalescent bubble surrounding us, visible to the magical eye, the clash of battle muted.
Indeed, clouds drifted across the sun, darkening the sky as if heralding a storm.
I shivered, unable to escape his gaze. “I doubt there's anything you fear.”
He lowered his head, the sapphire in his black hair shimmering as a ray of light hit the ground. My gaze trailed over the silken strands as they fell carelessly over his chest.
For a raw moment, I hungered. Imagined stepping forward and slipping my fingers into that hair, draping it over my bare arms.
“Tell me you considered my offer. Hurting you is not my intent.”
I blinked, startling out of my reverie. I didn't blame myself—an Old One, a Prince. . .of course he mesmerized me just by breathing. And besides—concussion.
“It's almost cute that you think I believe that.”
“Why would I wish to damage what is mine, Aerinne?” So gentle, that voice. So absent mercy.
“What?”
Slowly, he lifted his free hand, fingers outstretched, hovering near my face. “I did not suffer to wake because I wished to engage toddlers in pointless playground exercise.”
I growled, insulted on my people's behalf. We were alittlemore dangerous than a preschool play class. “Then go back to sleep.”
“It is too late for that now. What is the purpose of this fight?” The hand closed, lowering back to his side. Any other male, and I'd think he'd been about to touch me. His eyes lingered briefly on my mouth.
“To remind the Houses that Faronne and our allies are not to be toyed with. To avenge our dead.”
“Ah. That purpose.” A barely perceptible curve of his lips. “Very well.”
He moved.
I cursed, shifting out of the way a second before his weight would have taken me to the ground.
Our swords rang out as they clashed. I invoked my invisibility Skill. From the slight narrowing of his eyes, it affected him. He could no longer see me.
Exhilaration gave me energy. I had an edge on the Prince of Everenne!
Be strategic, Aerinne. Pace yourself, don't burn out.
I used the power in pulses, slipping from sight as I moved in for a killing blow, then another, each one countered.
Gods of my mother, this male was fast. Despite what must have been the dizziness of me winking in and out of his vision, and the accuracy of my blows, he evaded me.
Clearly Skills weren't miracles.
After too long in this stalemate, I fell back. He was playing Baroun's game, testing me. His grace and speed, the power under his skin which he had yet to use against me. . .the Prince mimicked a schoolmaster quizzing a student.
“Come, Aerinne, you wished to engage me. Engage me or bow. Or I will punish you all for wasting my time.”
“You own endless amounts of it to waste. I will never bend the knee, Prince. Unless you break it first.”
“A pretty offer. Let us negotiate then.”
I pulled on my Skill, invisible once more. But with every strike he seemed to anticipate my movements.
