Page 77 of Bride of the Midnight Prince

I do not feel solid. Not with him so close. But I try to focus as he springs upright.

“You should know how to land a good blow,” Rahk continues. He comes to my side and mimes a slow version of a blow into the empty air. “This is the motion. This is how your fist should be arranged.”

I follow his example and give my own mimed punch.

“Just like that. Now faster and harder. Yes, exactly. You’ve got power in that blow!” Rahk grins, pleased.

I never thought a Nothril prince would be . . .enthusiasticabout anything. Except meting out death, perhaps.

He shows me several different ways to dodge a blow. We go slowly, his fist coming toward me and giving me time to step left or right, duck, or retreat. This is starting to feel very useful for my raids.

“You’re a natural,” he declares.

I know his praise is only to encourage me—he’s not impressed with my abilities at all—but I find myself wanting to please him even so. I throw more energy and passion into following his instructions.

“Excellent!” he cries as my blows land across the flattened palm he offers me. “Use that back leg to stabilize you. Yes, just like that!”

I pause, breathing hard, but I’m smiling. Then I get back into position.

“Don’t tuck your hips so much,” says the prince, coming round behind me. “You can engage the muscles running down the back of your legs better if you aren’t tucked. It’ll give your movements greater power.”

“Tucked? What do you mean tucked?”

His hands land on my hips. I nearly leap away in shock but manage to do nothing but stiffen. “Easy,” he says gently, his voice dropping. “Don’t tense up so much. Relax. True power comes from being open and letting your strength flow out, rather than forcing it.” He grips my hips and pulls them back and up. I try to force away the heat in my cheeks. “Now, fill your ribs and try to expand them to every side. Your feet, hips, and ribs are all key areas to supporting your body and allowing your strength to flow.”

His hands start to go to my ribs, and my mind turns white-hot at the thought of him discovering my binding. Quickly, before he can touch me, I place my own hands at my ribs and do as he instructs, filling them wide.

“Excellent job,” the prince praises again, stepping away from me. His eyes somehow seem a shade darker than before. “Now we can start practicing in earnest.”

He takes his place opposite me. I gulp. His mouth quirks. “We’ll go slowly.”

I nod, face him, and take up my stance.

“Kat!” someone cries.

My attention breaks. I instinctively turn toward my name—

And the next thing I know, I’m hitting the edge of the fence, my head snapping back. Pain roars to life in my face a second later, followed by a terrible pressure and something hot and sticky sliding down my cheek.

“Nat!” Rahk is there a second later, crouching over me, horror stitched into every line of his expression. “You were supposed to dodge that!”

“I thought someone called for me,” I say stupidly, my face throbbing and my back pulsing from hitting the fence. I turn to the side, only to see a stray cat dart across the yard and disappear.

The prince’s shirt is off a second later, and he presses it to my face. It comes away red.

I stare at the blood in shock.

He mutters something under his breath, flicks his wrist, and returns the shirt to my face. The shirt is shockingly cold. He—he used magic to make it cold!

He’s talking to me, I realize belatedly.

“I’m so sorry. I never meant to hit you. Great Kings, I hit youveryhard. Are you alright? Can you hear me? Nat!” He gives my arm a little shake. My attention snaps to him.

“What?” I taste copper.

Running footsteps come up behind me. Rahk looks up and shakes his head. “I’ve got him. Come on, let’s get you home. To think you’ve only just recovered from poison! I never should have pushed you this hard.”

He reaches for me, hands going to my armpits to lift me up. I can’t let him carry me. I can’t let him feel that much of my body—there is no way he wouldn’t realize at once how I’ve lied to him. My brain might be rattled, but I can deal with it later.

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