Princess of Thermopylae by Belinda Harrison

Author:Belinda Harrison [Harrison, Belinda]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: historical romance, Fantasy, Royalty, series
Publisher: Gee Be Publications
Published: 2018-07-20T23:00:00+00:00

24

“You are well?” I asked.

“Very,” she replied. “You appear to have fully recovered.”

“At last,” I agreed.

“Hesper and I are to visit the agora. Father said you would be able to join us if you wished. Do you?”

I could not miss the hopeful edge to her voice. I smiled and nodded. “I do.”

“Good. But you cannot wear that,” she said, pointing to my sweat-stained tunic.

I put my hands on my hips. “And just what do you suggest instead?” I asked, an eyebrow raised in question.

“I have an idea,” she replied, taking my arm and pulling me back in the direction of the palace.

We walked across the grass in companionable silence, Alexis’ hand still on my arm, neither of us removing the familiar touch. “Though we have not known each other long, I have found myself missing you much when we are not together,” Alexis admitted, looping her arm through mine as we climbed the ramp to the balcony.

“As have I,” I told her, placing my hand over hers and squeezing. “I am afraid I have not been a very willing patient for Gnosidicus, who was charged with ensuring I did not leave my room again.”

“So I heard,” she laughed.

I shrugged. “There was much I wanted to do. Someone I very much wished to see.” Alexis blushed and dropped her focus to the marble beneath our feet. “I saw you sparring with Thaddeus yesterday from my window.”

“Oh,” she murmured. “I hope you did not watch for too long, I am not very good. Thaddeus began to lose patience with me by the end.”

“Not long,” I smiled. “It takes a lot of practise. You have never picked up a sword before?”

“No, it was not permitted, and I had never considered doing so until recently.”

I felt the heat crawling up my own neck and cleared my throat, thankful Alexis had averted her gaze. “You drop your shoulder just before you fend off an attack. Against a skilled opponent that would be used against you. You should raise your shield or sword directly to meet it, do not lower it first.”

“You noticed that just from watching me for a short time?” she asked, raising her eyes to mine again.

“I pay attention,” I replied simply. “My father taught me to study my enemy and find his weakness, then use it to my advantage.”

“You consider me your enemy?” she asked, a frown forming between her eyebrows.

I laughed and reached across, smoothing the gathered skin. “No, it just means I can read people’s body language. I pick up on certain things,” I replied, realising the ease with which I had just bestowed the touch. I lowered my arm again.

“Oh,” Alexis said, clearly as surprised at the gesture as I was.

“Thaddeus did not tell you of it?” I asked, hoping to quell the heat that had begun to stir in my stomach. She shook her head. “Perhaps he did not wish to discourage you from your attempts. Not everyone has the ability, though most soldiers are trained to look for the signs.

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