Page 61 of The Princess's Chosen

Daniel attacked next, and this time he mixed in some of Bryony's energy, although he was clumsier with it and Thao was quick to answer. The blades crashed, and Thao snarled as he pushed into Daniel, Bryony's lighter balanced sword taking more effort from him in the push.

"Twist," Bryony hissed under her breath, but I wasn't sure who she was directing.

Daniel stumbled back, spinning away as far as he could without surrendering the match, brow tangled as he evaluated his next options.

"This is…" Cosmo hesitated, lips twitching.

I fought my own smile. "Yes," I agreed.

Watching Thao and Danielwasstimulating. Sexually, yes. Thao was exquisite, already shining with sweat from his sparring with Bryony, triumphant when he gained ground against Daniel. Daniel too was pleasant to watch. Handsome and animal. It wasn't just that though. Thaowasthe better fighter, and there was a kind of satisfaction in seeing him pushing Daniel back, slapping the outside of his thigh with the flat of the blade. It wasn't worth anything in inukat the way it would be in fencing, more of a warning taunt than a point for either side.

Daniel had cut in where he didn't belong, claiming a moment with Bryony that wasours. We were her Chosen, not him. I wasn't a fighter, but I'd considered tracking Daniel down and throwing a punch to his stupid beautiful swollen mouth when Bryony had told us what happened. Watching Thao beat him in sword fighting was better.

It didn't happen quickly. Daniel was good, and he was learning with every minute. But with Thao's style of fighting, he was unpolished still, and outmatched. The longer it went on, the more I wondered if Thao was dragging it out. Bryony was twitchy next to me, occasionally huffing and shaking her head.

"Enough," she whispered, her fingers digging into Aric's thighs as she perched, ready to fly off his lap at any moment.

Anger was bleeding into Thao's expression, the jealousy he'd admitted to days ago manifesting in rougher attacks to a rapidly faltering Daniel. I wasn't sure what I really wanted. For Thao to win, of course, but did I want Daniel injured out of revenge? Cosmo leaned forward too, eyes worried as he watched the men.

"Quit toying with him!" Bryony called out, frowning, but there was a wicked glint of excitement in her eyes too, her chest heaving.

"He's earned it," Thao answered, laughing roughly, leaping suddenly forward and making Daniel duck and stumble away.

There were only two ways for an inukat match to end. Either an opponent surrendered by moving too far away from the orbit of fight, or one delivered a blow that if not restrained would be fatal.

Daniel refused to surrender, and I was beginning to worry whether Thao would show restraint or if he'd just injure Daniel for real.

Daniel huffed and straightened, struggling to catch his breath as he settled into another defensive position. He was justlettingThao attack him, over and over. Thao seemed to realize it at the same moment I did, his eyes narrowing and attack drawing back. Bryony was vibrating in anticipation, Aric's hand massaging the back of her neck in an attempt to soothe.

"You knew better," Thao hissed.

Daniel swallowed, nostrils flaring and eyes flicking briefly to Bryony. "I'm not going to apologize toyou," Daniel said.

Thao growled and attacked, swinging and feigning a direct blow before twisting on the heel of his foot, rotating the blade as Daniel dodged forward. Thao caught him from the side, moving like a dancer, the blade cutting directly through the air, right to Daniel's throat—

And just barely kissing the skin there. It was a scratch, and Thao retreated immediately, not even drawing blood.

"I won't withdraw a second time, so I don't recommend challenging me again," Thao said softly.

Daniel's shoulders sagged, his inukat lowered unceremoniously as he wavered slightly in place. There was sweat running down the back of his shirt and on his temple, and he looked more relieved than anything else, nodding lightly.

Bryony stood, and for a moment I thought she looked angry as she gazed at Thao.

"Out, Daniel," she said softly.

Daniel passed Thao his sword back and turned away from us, heading directly for the door.

"Am I not allowed to defend you?" Thao asked after Daniel walked out.

"Put those aside," Bryony murmured, and I fought my smile as I suddenly understood the intensity in her expression, the predatory sharpness her features had taken.

Thao set the blades on a shelf, his eyes watching her warily. They'd need to be properly cared for, and I imagined it drove Thao a little mad to leave it to later when his training demanded immediate respect for the weapon. His instincts were demanding immediate obedience to our mistress instead.

Bryony prowled forward, and Thao took cautious steps closer.

"You don't fight like that with me," she said softly.

Thao raised an eyebrow. "I don't want tohurtyou."

---