Page 10 of Shadows of the Crown

Plus, he won’t like where I’m headed.

My eyes widen as I take in the indoor training room provided for the assassins. I’m relieved it’s empty, as my father has prohibited any castle staff or nobility from entering. Ridiculous rule, but I don’t doubt any one of these competitors would tell him of my rebellion to obtain his favor.

Everything appears brand new. There are several mats for hand-to-hand, a wall of every type of weapon imaginable, and even sets of bars used for stretching and toning.

The accommodations are quite nice, which is interesting. I haven’t known my father to go to such lengths before, especially for guests. I step into the middle of the room—onto a training mat—and take a deep breath.

“This room is for competitors only.” I tense at the voice, willing myself to not immediately spin around and look guilty.

I turn slowly, facing my accuser.

Fuck me. Fuck the Angel.

There’s only one person in the realm who’s known to have that hair: the Silver Wraith.

She raises a brow, and I take in her features. Her long, silky hair is tied at the top of her head, with pieces surrounding her face.Black leathers cover her mouthwatering curves, and I bite my lip to hide my body’s reaction to them. Her hands clasp behind her back as she stands contently, knowing she could certainly sink one of those blades on her thighs into my head before I blinked again. My eyes drag to her face, to soft lips curved upward slightly. Cunning, green irises glare back at me while a second brow raises, and I can sense the amusement emanating off her.

Shit, I was definitely not subtle in my perusal, and she watched me take in every inch of her body. I feel my dick harden and suddenly find the wooden bars interesting. Her head tilts in my peripheral; she must be highly entertained by how foolish I’m acting. You would think me no better than a young boy seeing a woman for the first time.

Who knew an assassin could be so breathtaking?

I clear my throat as sweat forms on my brow and a tingling sensation under my skin slides down my spine. “I am a competitor,” I state quickly, though not with confidence. From the lack of recognition when I turned around, I do not believe she knows who I am. Maybe I can get out of here without her alerting my father that I broke one of hisrules. She seems like someone who would enjoy doing that.

“Is that so?” Her voice is like rich, melted honey seeping into my pores. “Because you weren’t at the initiation ceremony.”

Stay calm.There were many people there; no chance she memorized them all.

“Been watching me, have you?”

“No.” She walks toward me slowly, her hips swaying gently with each intentional step. Fuck, I should not be attracted to someone like her. Murder is not a quality I'd accept in a woman…though the tightness in my chest claims otherwise. “But I never forget a face. And yours was not at the ceremony.” She stops a foot in front of me, her unwavering gaze causing my breath to hitch.

She’s a frightening little thing.

She’s also just a woman…I can handle her. I give her a charming smile. “Perhaps you just didn’t see me. You’re mistaken.” Her eyes narrow slightly, one side of her lips rising—would she enjoy it as much as I, if I bit them?

“Perhaps. Or perhaps I should threaten to slice off your precious cock, and then we’ll see if I’m still mistaken.” Her bright eyes harden, and she smiles, though it’s menacing as all traces of amusement fade from her face.

“You would fight me?”

“Without a second thought.” She paces around me, and I follow her direction. I would be foolish to trust my back with someone who has a reputation like hers. “The rules state competitors may fight outside of trials—even to death—as long as the challenge is accepted by both parties…which you should know, since you’re a competitor.” She stops in front of me again, angling her head while her eyes roam my body as if she can’t quite decide whether I’m her next kill or next fuck.

I'll take either.

My breath quickens when I process what she just said. I can’t fight her…sure I’m trained by the best, but this woman is deadly. Savage. She wouldn’t hesitate to behead me and bathe in my blood. “You’re right,” I stammer, unable to think of anything else to say. Maybe I shouldn’t have told her I’m a competitor. She surely wouldn’t challenge the prince.

But I’m also a little excited at the prospect.

“Do you accept the challenge, then?” How is she so fucking still?

“And what makes you think you could best me?” She actually smiles then, and I’m hypnotized. A small laugh leaves her; it’s an evil laugh, but the sound goes straight to my dick. Her tongue darts out to caress her bottom lip, and I follow the movement carefully. I have never wished to be a piece of flesh more.

“Charming.” Her amused voice shatters my aching thoughts as she raises an eyebrow. “I was actually thinking the same about you.” Deadly and confident? My kind of woman.

“All right, I’ll bite. What makes you think I couldn’t best you?”

She makes a show of inspecting me head to toe, only to meet my gaze again with an unimpressed look. “A lot.”

“Oh, you’re good.” I shake my head, knowing I have no choice but to spar with her. Well, at least it will be a spar for me; the lookin her eye says she’s hungry, and I’m her next meal. I suppose if she wanted to wrap her mouth around my flesh without using a blade first…

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