Page 42 of The King of Frost and Shadows

When I came back out to join him, he removed one of his swords and tossed it onto the bed. “Show me what you know.”

My head tilted back, and I took in a shaky breath. This had to be a trick. “You expect me to fall for that? Are you trying to make Tavish look kinglier somehow?” I wasn’t sure how getting caught with a sword would help. In fact, every scenario I considered would make him look weaker if I got my hands on his best friend’s sword. But I understood where Finnian’s loyalty lay. He’d been clear not even ten minutes ago.

“You’re a smart woman.” He crossed his arms. “You know that touching that sword would actually make people more upset with Tavish.”

“Which means you must have a motive I haven’t considered since you wouldn’t want that to happen. In fact, you left no question that you would turn your back on me for him.”

Finnian closed his eyes. When he opened them back up, he clasped his hands in front of him. “You dying in the gauntlet would impact Tavish a whole lot worse than someone catching you with a sword in your hand.”

“Why? Because he needs my death to be by his hand?” He believed he needed to be the one to kill me. My chest ached at the memory, but I pushed the strange sensation aside. I didn’t have time to dwell on something that wouldn’t change. Either way, my days were limited.

“No, that’s not why.” Finnian shook his head. “I wish it were, but we must have done something to upset Fate. The only way you’ll actually die is in the gauntlet. Tavish’s wings are bound on that. Your connection with him won’t allow him to actually kill you.”

And here I thought Finnian was a smart flirt. Oh, how he was proving me wrong. “I hate to break it to you, but Tavishwillkill me. Fae can’t lie, and he’s told everyone his plan.”

“He wasn’t lying when he said it, but the more time you spend together, the more I see what’s brimming between you. Fate won’t allow him to kill you, especially with his own hands.” Finnian pointed at the sword. “But enough of this. We need to focus on preparing you as much as possible for the gauntlet.”

I blinked and wrung my hands together. I needed to make sure this wasn’t a trick. “You’re going to spar with me?”

“Yes, but let’s try not to actually wound one another.” He gestured at his outfit. “I couldn’t come in here in armor without getting questioned, and I couldn’t bring you armor for the same reason. So we’ll need to fight like this. You seem comfortable with a dagger, so that’s a start. We just need to practice with a long sword so you can adjust before the battle.”

With nothing to lose, I reached over and lifted the sword. It was over two times larger than my dagger and twice the weight, but other than that, it didn’t feel foreign in my hand.

“If it hurts your chest, let me know.” He removed his sword. “We’ll take it easy at first.”

I jerked my head down, having forgotten that my chest had been hurt last night. I moved the material of my shirt to see that the wound was just a scab. “How is that possible?” The water had made it much better, but this wasn’t even a deep scab anymore.

“Fae heal fast, but I have to admit I’m surprised you forgot about it.” He rolled his shoulders, preparing for our fight. “At least it won’t hinder our training.”

We moved into the center of the room, and he held his sword to the side. He gestured to me and said, “You attack first. Remember, the sword is longer, so account for the distance.”

I swung the sword around to get used to the way it felt in my hand. The blade sliced the air, making a swishing noise, and my jabs were off balance as I compensated for the extra weight and dynamics. After a few more adjustments, I managed to balance it a little better.

I lifted the sword in front of me and swung at Finnian. Our blades clashed, and the impact vibrated painfully in my hand and arm. I gritted my teeth, trying not to make a noise, but I hadn’t been prepared for that.

“Again.” Finnian readied hissword.

For the next while, we sparred. I wasn’t swinging hard but rather using the time to learn where to strike his sword and how to move more gracefully. My muscles burned from the exertion, especially since, for the last several days, I hadn’t done much of anything but sit around.

My body was slick with sweat, and Finnian made suggestions and corrections. Soon, I was swinging harder, and we danced around one another more in tune, though I was not extremely skilled with the sword.

“Now, let me attack.” Finnian straightened. “You need to know how to handle that the best you can.”

I wanted to keep practicing my attack, but he was right. Our time was limited. I wouldn’t perfect anything. I nodded, holding the sword in front of me.

Quicker than I expected, Finnian swung his sword down toward my right. I reacted, adjusting for the attack, but my sword didn’t move as quickly as I was used to. I couldn’t move it before he turned his blade at the last second to avoid stabbing my right arm.

Dammit, I would’ve been injured, and my dominant hand would’ve been taken out. I’d just gotten comfortable, and now he’d shown me how little I’d learned. I wasn’t foolish—I knew I’d be more on the defense than the offense in battle. I hadn’t seen the other prisoners, but they were likely hardened and knew how to use their magic and wings.

I had to learn and fast. “Again.” I prepared for another attack.

A knock pounded on the door, and we froze, staring at one another.

Eldrin’s voice called out, “I’m coming in.”

Finnian rushed toward me, taking the sword from myhand just as the door opened. Eldrin stepped inside the room.

“What’s going on here?” Eldrin scowled, glancing at Finnian and me.

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