Page 20 of Shadows of the Crown

“Sivara.” A tingling heat skims down my spine at the low purr in her tone—what would it take to haveher say my name that way? She stands tall and waits with an eerie calm as her opponent approaches.

“Need a cloth, prince?” I shake my head and throw an elbow at Gavriel’s side.

“Shut up,” I mutter, refusing to look at him.

“Just offering. Don’t think I’ve ever seen you drool before.” He laughs loudly, tossing his head back.

“If you don’t shut your fucking mouth, I’ll assign you to a week in the pit.” He silences instantly, clearing his throat. We’re friends, though he knows I would follow-through on that threat with great pleasure. Maintenance and cleaning of the castle drains is not a duty anyone wants, though it would be entertaining to see Gav suffer through it for a week.

My skin cools at the dry breeze that glides through the grounds. I wonder if this is what it’s like to live in the Cindara Desert. A heat that melts your bones from the inside and a dryness that leaves you parched no matter the amount of water you drink. The sandy terrain is not a part of the Eldorian Kingdom, so I am forbidden from visiting outside cities when not accompanying the king on political matters.

I do not travel often, as is, but would like to. I hope to open the borders between our lands and the outer cities when I am king. It is absurd to me—the separation laws. Just another thing my father will not listen to.

A sultry laugh interrupts my thoughts as the wraith’s unnerving aura demands the attention of every individual on the grounds. The thought of her focus on me is tantalizing.

“A bit angry, are we, Sivara?” The woman could drop every man to his knees with a single word. If they could prove themselves to her, that is.

I will not allow them the chance, though.

“I challenge you, Silver Wraith. It is easy to fabricate a reputation, though no one has ever seen your true skills. You’re probably a worse rival than your timid friend over there.”

Ariella cocks her head, the movement bestial. The tension in the air is thick enough to touch. “Are you certain this is what you want?”

A finger taps against my upper arm; I turn my head, expecting to see Gavriel's questioning gaze, though he’s watching the scene below. A few more taps, and I clench my fist when I see my finger is the culprit.

Sivara nods, and it seems to please the wraith, which causes the other woman to shift. “Right now?”

“Yes. You will not get another chance.”

“We should go, Cas,” I shake my head, barely looking at my guard before watching the women again.

“No, I want to see what she does.” He mutters under his breath, something about how smitten he is with Faith—whoever that is. I’ll question him about her later.

“Surely you’re not being serious…you have no weapons or proper attire.” Ariella shrugs, and I chuckle when she clasps her hands behind her back.

“You are the one who challenged me, Sivara.”

The dark-haired assassin swallows, eyes skimming to the dozens that are watching their interaction. Did she not believe Ariella would agree to a challenge?

“Fine.” The wraith smiles brightly. I get the feeling this is where she’s happiest, if that’s even a possible emotion for her.

Sivara attacks first, throwing herself skillfully around the mat, though Ariella avoids her attempts just as easily as she did mine. She almost appears to be having fun—I chuckle under my breath. She knocks Sivara in the face several times, her features brightening with each drop of blood she wrings from her opponent—who becomes more angry with each missed swipe.

Sivara stalks Ariella as she reaches her arms up to stretch like she couldn’t care less about her opponent. Her groan is quiet, but it goes straight to my dick. Her opponent takes the moment to charge at the wraith’s right, though her eyes look left.

“Watch out!” My judgment is disturbingly impaired in her presence.

Her head snaps my way for just a moment, but it’s all Sivara needs to swing her leg and knock Ariella to the ground. She stands, fists clenched as she stomps to Sivara and kicks with an incredible amount of power. Her foot connects with heropponent’s upper abdomen, sending her flying through the air. She grunts loudly as her back thuds against the stone surrounding their mat.

My mouth drops on a noiseless gasp, the mirror to every face here. Ariella’s eyes flick to mine, her gaze spilling with murderous intent. I snap my jaw closed, raising my brows and brazenly running my eyes over her body. Gavriel shifts himself slightly in front of me, causing her to laugh under her breath. She grabs one of Sivara’s blades from where it rests at her feet and straightens, her stare still on me.

I might possess the sense to be intimidated if she wasn’t so fascinating.

I smirk; she’s undoubtedly contemplating hurling that blade at me. Without breaking our connection, she flips the blade and catches it by the point, swinging her arm to fling it at Sivara. I lick my lower lip, smiling genuinely when she remains unmoving as her blade sinks into her opponent’s left hand.

Fuck, that was arousing.

My eyes narrow, challenging her to bring that vicious attitude up here and see just what I’ll do with it. It should not be possible, but her features harden further. I feel her curse me through our distance before dismissing herself, not once looking back to see what she did to Sivara. The woman cries, another helping her up the hill toward the castle.

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