Page 50 of Shadows and Roses

She struck a moment after he declared his readiness.

Castien wasn't sure what he was supposed to learn. The speed, fluidity, and efficiency of her movements were beyond his ability to follow, much less emulate. Octavius managed to keep up, with somewhat less impressive sword work, but still effective.

Mesmerized by their deadly dance, he fell into the encroaching desire to touch her taut muscles, soothe the tension that was evident in her voice.

"The bitches want a war we can't win. They can only see an inch beyond their noses and don't care what happens next."

Their swords clashed with every few words. Her speed increased while she spoke, his heart beating faster as well. Thiswas the Queen speaking, not the warm, kind woman who hugged children. This was the Queen of the Escorts, the Queen of the Inner Circle, a Queen he could respect.

"They're provoking Nadraken. Not just raids on villages. They're attacking forts and pushing further."

Her words hardly mattered to him. They were moving at dangerous speeds. A misstep in a dance might lead to a strained ankle. A misstep with live blades? Castien held his breath.

"Nadraken bolstered their defenses, of course. Our idiots want reinforcements. It's all a waste. Lives thrown at nothing!"

They stopped. The tip of her blade hovered at Octavius' neck, the Master-at-arms holding his hands far apart in surrender.

She breathed rapidly, but it seemed more from anger than exertion. Soft hair curved around her neck. He wanted to brush it back. Her form was still perfect, still—

"Beautiful," Castien exhaled, the word escaping his lips.

She blinked and jerked her sword back, the first awkward motion she'd made. Octavius slowly lowered his arms.

"My apologies, Master Octavius. Thank you. There will be a council in two hours, we will discuss this then." She glanced at Castien. "Escort." Then strode back out of the hall.

The Master-at-arms rubbed his throat and shook his head. His sword slid back into its sheath. "Be careful interrupting her in that mood. Surrender is the best way to snap her out of it. You got lucky."

Now that she wasn't here to distract him, his suspicion returned. "She could've killed you."

Octavius shook his head. "She wouldn't. She would never hurt any of us. And if she needed to, our lives are hers."

"That's a remarkable amount of trust for someonewho behaves the way she does."

Octavius paused. "Boy. Do not insult that which you do not understand."

Castien looked at him warily. That was the same tone he'd threatened to use a whip with.

The man's lips thinned when Castien's eyes flicked to his wrist. "The whips aren't used here. You won't be punished for a mild insult—our disappointment should be enough."

Castien bowed his head in apology. "I don't know how to be two people." It wasn't an accusation. He struggled to maintain distance at court, to not lash out at the nobles' cruelties, to not intercede every time a servant was abused.

Octavius considered him. "Hm. Do you not behave differently for your House clients?"

Castien shrugged. "No. My Master once said I'm so effective because Iammy House persona. Most of it wasn't an act."

Octavius snorted, mumbled something unintelligible. Probably about his arrogance; he’d heard that often. Then the healer looked amused. "You'll figure it out. But Anais? She's been doing this all her life, since the moment she could form the smallest sentence. She is incapable of hurting us."

"Then why were you afraid of her?"

Octavius frowned and didn't speak for several moments.

"Not fear, boy," he finally said. "She hates losing control. We know she won't harm us. She doesn't have that same faith in herself."

—

Combat training continued. To his surprise, Anais joined them several days every week. She was so small, it was easy to forget how deadly she was. But watching her fluid, agile movements reminded him that she was born a fighter.

Slick sweat gleamed on her supple muscles.Agoddess. Inhaling sharply, his mind backed away from that thought, but he didn't stop watching her.

---