Of Shadows and Fae by Jen L. Grey

Author:Jen L. Grey [Grey, Jen L.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Grey Valor Publishing, LLC
Published: 2024-01-16T00:00:00+00:00

I tried, time after time, my body slick with sweat. No matter what I did, he managed to counter, and my competitive side hated that I couldn’t get a lick in.

Time seemed to go still as I attacked him again and again. The awkwardness between us was gone, and fighting with him felt natural. When I lunged at him and he swatted the blade away, the impact forcing my arm across my body, I glanced outside and noticed that the sky was dark, but I focused back on him and swung again.

Our swords clashed for once at a standstill. My heart leaped—maybe I’d finally get a strike in. I didn’t want to make him bleed, but I wanted to feel as if I had the upper hand. I moved my sword to the side and up, then swiped down when he moved his to the side. When I thrust down to catch the edge of his chest, he spun away, grabbed my wrist, and placed the sword to my neck.

He’d won.

That made my blood boil, and I took a step back. “You couldn’t even pretend to let me get one hit in?” We’d been at this all fucking day, and he’d deflected me every damn time. I hadn’t gotten close once.

A crooked grin stretched across his face as he lowered his sword. “Princess, what good would that accomplish? It would give you a false sense of how far you’d come.”

I hated that he was right. I sheathed my sword. “Confidence. And please, I haven’t improved at all.”

“You have.” He placed his sword at his waist. “You went from jabbing to swiping. You’ve gotten a lot more comfortable with your weapon. Tomorrow, you need to bring armor.”

A lump formed in my throat. “You think?”

“I do. You’re a natural and a fast learner.”

I hated that his praise had me standing taller. I cleared my throat, needing to get out of here before I did something foolish. “Isn’t it time to eat?”

“Yes, it is. Everyone should already be down there. Why don’t you go first? I’ll get my coat back on and head down a few minutes after you.”

“Good idea.” I removed the belt and handed it to him. It wasn’t as if I could go down there with it on me. “Do you mind if I wash off quickly?” I didn’t want to have dinner drenched in sweat. I at least wanted to dab myself clean.

He gestured to the door next to the dresser. “Of course.”

Hurrying into the bathroom, I took in the charcoal walls and tub that looked carved out of frosted ice. I walked around the tub to the white sink and turned on the water. Next to the sink was a rack of gray towels, and I took one and dabbed it in the water. I wiped off my face and chest, the water rejuvenating me. I didn’t know how water worked here, but it was magic.

I finished and set the towel on the sink, then went back into the bedroom to find him slipping on his black jacket.

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