Page 75 of A Dagger in the Ivy

Dante and I exchange a look, the challenge he’s extended to me prompting our confident expressions. I know he’s good, but I’ve been fighting in battles for well over a year. And my skills date back to me practicing with my brother when we were young. The only thing giving me pause is that, while I have practiced moves taught by my uncle, moves based in regiment tutelage, Dante is used to a more untamed and unpredictable style.

As Dante and I handle our training swords, I can’t help but notice the fluid grace of his movements, the effortless way he wields the blade with precision and skill. There’s a primal energy in the air as we circle each other, our eyes locked in a silent battle of wills.

“Ready when you are, Highness.”

I nod once and adjust my stance.

When the first strike comes, I barely manage to parry in time, the impact sending a jolt of adrenaline coursing through my veins.

Dante quickly shifts his footing. “Is that all you’ve got, little pirate? I thought you were supposed to be the best in your regiment.”

“Just warming up, Dante. Don’t want to embarrass you too quickly.”

We dance across the training grounds, our movements a blur of steel and muscle as we trade blow for blow.

“Your stance is all wrong.” He says it as if he’s simply pointing out dust on my shoulder. “Were you planning to trip over your own feet?”

“Maybe I was planning to trip you instead.” I lunge forward, only missing him by an inch. “Watch your step.”

Despite his skill, I refuse to back down, determination burning bright within me as I meet each of his strikes with unwavering resolve.

Dante smirks. “You’re getting slow. Have you been slacking off, orare you just afraid to hit me?”

I don’t fall for his mind tricks. “Afraid? Of you? Don’t flatter yourself. I’m just giving you a fighting chance.”

I swing, and as Dante dodges the blow, he turns so that he’s closer to me. He catches me off guard by wrapping his arm around my waist and sweeping my feet out from beneath me. My head spins as we both crash to the ground. I land with a thud, the breath knocked from my lungs with Dante on top of me. His gaze is dark and intense as he pins me beneath him.

For a moment, time seems to stand still as we lock eyes, the heat of his body searing against mine as I struggle to catch my breath. His proximity is dizzying, sending my heart into a frantic rhythm as I feel the warmth of his breath against my skin.

His eyes are so grey. Like a storm at sea. “Looks like you’ve lost your sword, Highness.”

I crank my head to the side, taking in the sight of my empty hand.

Fuck!

I turn my head to face him. His gaze travels down to my chest, where his weight presses against me, and back up again. Heat floods my core. The only thing keeping me grounded is the smug grin on his face.

“Get off me,” I manage to choke out, my voice trembling with a mixture of embarrassment and frustration. Despite the intensity of the moment, there’s a flicker of amusement in Dante’s gaze as he finally relents, rising to his feet with a smirk that sends a shiver down my spine.

He holds a hand out to me, but I refuse it. I’m very aware of the way my body is reacting to him, and I need to minimize any touching. As I pick myself up from the ground, I can’t help but feel the lingering heat of his nearness, the memory of our close encounter lingering between us like an unspoken temptation.

I dust myself off, avoiding eye contact.

Nadya, seeing that we’ve stopped swinging our swords, closes the book she’s reading and places it on the ground. She stretches her arms before heading our way.

Ezra frowns, bending down to pick up the book.

Dante stands close to me, his chin held high. “I believe we had an agreement, Highness.”

I press my lips into a straight line. “That doesn’t mean I must do it today.”

“Do what?” Nadya asks, coming to stand beside me.

I open my mouth but can’t bring myself to tell her. I glance at Ezra, who is still under the tree, dusting off the book.

“We had a deal,” Dante says to her. He looks between us before he continues. “If I disarm her, she must tell the magister about her… sleeping problems.”

I glare at Dante, fury rising to the surface. “You are overstepping,” I warn him. It’s not his place to tell her any of this.

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