Page 50 of Essence of the Throne

I can’t help the smile that spreads across my face. “Then kill me, I don’t care. But I’m going to fuck you first.”

She sputters, her resistance loosening, and I use the hesitation to drag her toward my room. I’m tempted to take her back and claim her in front of the king, but I selfishly want the week he’s given me. We both know I will not bow to his demands, so I’ll play his game for now.

Chapter Sixteen

Ariella

The heat is unbearable today. Sweat drips down my neck as I circle Caspian on the training grounds, my muscles tensing with each calculated step. His silver eyes follow my movements, a predatory gleam flickering through them when I shift my stance. The prince has improved significantly since we began training together—though I’d never tell him that. He has an immense ego as it is.

“You’re favoring your left side,” he taunts, that insufferable smirk spreading across his face.

I narrow my eyes. “And you’re talking too much.”

He chuckles, the sound firing an unwanted wave of heat through my core. His chest rises with heavy breaths, sweat glistening along his skin in a way that shouldn’t be so fucking distracting.

I nearly miss his smile when he grabs the bottom of his shirt and pulls it over his head, tossing it aside with expert nonchalance. My jaw clenches—he knows exactly what he’s doing.

“Getting warm, angel?”

Two can play at this game. I maintain eye contact as I strip my top off, leaving me in just my shorts and training bra. His pupils dilate, hands flexing at his sides. Good.

“Fucking Aether,” Gavriel mutters from where he leans against the stone wall. “Can you two not make everything sexual?”

I flip him off without looking his way, focusing on Caspian’s approaching form. “Jealous, brute?”

The guard scoffs but says nothing else. The tension between us has worsened since Caspian and I returned. Not that I give a fuck what he thinks of me.

“Focus,” Caspian demands, throwing a punch that I easily dodge. His bare chest brushes against my arm, and I bite back a groan at the contact.

This is going to be a long fucking day.

My blade meets his forearm as I spin past, just missing the kick he aims at my leg. He’s getting better at reading my movements—though his form is still shit. His shoulders tense when I shift my stance, preparing for another attack.

“Your balance is off.” The words slip from my mouth, and I curse under my breath. Fuck’s sake, I’m not here to teach him.

“What?” He straightens, dropping his guard. Foolish.

I sweep his legs out from under him, watching as he lands hard on his back with a grunt. “Never let your opponent distract you.” I press my boot to his chest, raising a brow when his hand wraps around my ankle. “Even if they’re trying to help your pathetic stance.”

His eyes darken as he yanks my foot, attempting to throw me down next to him. I allow myself to fall, using the momentum to roll and spring back up.

“My stance is not pathetic.” He pushes to his feet, running a hand through his sweat-dampened hair.

“Then prove it.” I circle him, noting how his weight shifts too far forward. “Stop compensating for your height by leaning into your strikes. Ground yourself properly and you won’t need to.”

He adjusts his footing, a determined look crossing his features. When he advances this time, his movements are more controlled. His fist grazes my jaw as I dodge—closer than he’s gotten before. Something flutters in my stomach.

“Better.” I catch his wrist and twist, a little surprised when he breaks my hold using a technique I showed him in the forest last week during our downtime. “Though your center is still vulnerable.”

“Stop analyzing me and fight,” he growls, throwing another punch that I dodge.

“I can do both.” I smirk when frustration flashes in his eyes. “What’s wrong, prince? Don’t like being told what to do? Don’t like that I refuse to grovel at your feet and tell you, you’re the best at everything?” I glance at his guard, winking when I find him already glaring in my direction.

He’s so fucking lucky Caspian won’t allow me to kill him. I’d have some fun before taking his sorry life.

A smile forms at the thought, and the prince’s answering grin sends heat coursing through me. “Thinking about violence again, angel?”

Gavriel makes a gagging sound. “I’m leaving before this gets worse.”

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