Page 49 of Shadows of Ruin

Shouting, I swung my blade forward, arcing it against Storm’s.

Trapped in this miserable world away from those I loved most while surrounded by a group of liars. And, apparently, a damn prince.

Block.

The latter of whom I could hardly trust. Especially since he’d withheld his royal status. Another lie. Another secret.

Clash.

Deceitful, arrogant ass.

Storm brought his sword down on me in a new parry. The two women Jax had retrieved had immediately disappeared with Storm after the announcement from the king, and Ihadn’t seen him until this afternoon, when he knocked on my door and insisted we train.

Block.

Sweat covered my body as Storm attacked relentlessly, using each of my successful blocks as fodder for the next attack, never faltering in his movements. For someone so gravely injured yesterday—poisoned, no less—he absolutely did not show it.

“Come on, Lana. I’m technically still recovering. You can do better.”

I muttered under my breath as I swung for his now healed leg.

“Oh, low blow, Princess,” he said. His blatant smile took away from the jab. “I’ll tell you what,” Storm teased, circling me. “You knock my blade from my hand in the next five moves and I’ll tell you my first name.”

“It’s not Storm?” I asked, surprised.

He cocked an eyebrow, shaking his head.

I hated the grin spreading over my face as I charged this time, laying down a few solid blows, but not disarming him. My five moves quickly came and went.

“My name isn’t enough to inspire your training?” He held his hand to his chest. “I’m wounded. Where’s the Hidden Henchman? I’m starting to wonder if Ian taught you anything.”

The mention of Ian snapped me out of the fun I was having with Storm. “Don't talk about him!” I spat. I twisted, knocking the sword out of his hand with one final swing. The blade landed on the dirt floor of the ring, dust billowing around it as it settled on the ground.

Both of us stood staring at each other, panting. “Halfway decent, I suppose.” Storm smirked, moving first.

I wasn’t sure how they healed such a serious wound so swiftly, but all that remained now seemed to be a slight limp. Without a doubt, the magic used to heal him had beenextremely powerful. The healer on staff must be as good as Elisabeth. I swallowed a sob as memories of our time together played in my mind.

“That is with me only being at about half capacity. You should absolutely be able to defeat me right now. Even without magic.”

My lip curled as my sadness dissipated with his words. I’d spent the last hour channeling all my anger into our training. His mouth shifted my focus from training to him. Never mind that before the healers took him away, I silently begged for him to survive. Despite everything, I couldn’t quite hate the man.

No, he’d slithered under my skin just like hisprincehad. “Whatever, Storm.”

His smirk disappeared. “Listen to me, Lana, you need to be prepared if you are to survive your time here. Ian taught you well, but there is so much you still need to learn. We need to train. It’s the only way to ensure your safety.”

I ran a hand through my hair in utter frustration. “All I want to do is get back to Brookmere and save my friends. Save my mother. I will not be here long enough to train.” I kicked at the dirt. “Besides, how am I to trust any of you? Every time I turn around, there is another secret being revealed. Another lie to discover. Kade’s a damn prince. Funny, he conveniently left that out of every conversation we ever had.”

Storm grabbed a pitcher from the side of the ring, filling a glass of water before approaching me with it. He held out his hand, offering me the cool liquid. I grabbed it and downed the glass in a few gulps.

“I know this isa lotto take in, but you must know Kade is only doing what is best for his people.”

“And kidnapping a princess and bringing her to another world justifies his actions because it’s what’s best forhispeople? What aboutmypeople?”

Storm opened and closed his mouth a few times, unable to find the words to counter my fury.

“My turn, Little Rebel.”

My attention jerked toward the training ring entrance behind me. I tried to ignore how my stomach fluttered as Kade strode into the ring. I hated how attractive he was, even with the evident rage etched on his face.

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