Page 33 of Song of the Heart Scale
“Get out of my way, Jacob!” Gianna snarled, shoving him hard in the chest.
As Jacob stumbled backward, he lost his balance on the slick, straw-covered floor. Maeve, who had been hovering nearby, reflexively reached out to catch him, her slender arms somehow managing to steady his larger frame. When their bodies collided in an awkward embrace, Maeve's face blazed scarlet until Jacob regained his footing.
“Thank you,” he murmured to her, his eyes widening slightly as he noticed her fierce blush. Maeve nodded mutely, her hands lingering on his arms a moment longer than necessary before she reluctantly let go.
Gianna advanced on me, her face contorted with fury. “You think you're so clever, don't you? The emperor's death means the alliance is shattered. You've gottenexactlywhat you wanted—no wedding, no obligations.AndDamien!”
I didn't back away. Instead, I straightened my stance, placing my feet shoulder-width apart, weight balanced, as old habits from basic training automatically kicked in.
Something flickered in Gianna's eyes—recognition, then uncertainty. Her gaze darted to my hands as they curled into loose fists. The stable air thickened between us.
“What about Damien?” I asked, my voice dangerously low.
“He was supposed to bemine!” Gianna shrieked, lunging forward with startling speed.
Her palm struck out in a wild slap that I effortlessly sidestepped. She stumbled, off-balance, her expensive slippers sliding in the hay.
“Gianna, stop this!” Jacob shouted, moving to intervene.
I held up a hand. “Stay back. She wants a fight? Fine.”
Gianna's face contorted with fury. She charged again, this time aiming a clumsy punch at my face. I caught her wrist mid-swing and used her momentum to pivot her body away from me. She gasped as I released her and pushed, sending her staggering into an empty stall. Hair fell loose from their pins as she whirled around, chest heaving.
“You think you can humiliate me like this?” She reached down to grab a riding crop hanging on the stall door.
I almost laughed. A riding crop against military combat training? Poor girl had no idea what she was getting into.
“Put that down before you hurt yourself,” I warned, shifting my weight to the balls of my feet.
“I'll hurtyou!” Gianna shrieked, wildly swinging the crop.
I ducked under the arc of her swing and closed the distance between us in two quick steps. With practiced precision, I grabbed her wrist and applied just enough pressure to the tendons to make her fingers spring open. The crop clattered to the ground.
“Let go of me!” she screamed, trying to wrench away.
Her free hand came up to slap me and claw my face, her pointed nails aiming for my eyes. I twisted her arm behind her back in one fluid motion, immobilizing her with minimal effort.
“Enough!” I growled, my voice low and controlled. “This isn't going to solve anything. And honestly, you’ll lose any fight against me,” I snorted.
Gianna struggled against my hold as rage-filled tears streamed down her face. “You've ruined everything! Youalwaysruin everything!”
“I didn't kill the emperor, if that's what you're implying,” I said, maintaining my grip while being careful not to actually hurt her.
Jacob stood frozen with his mouth agape. “Arya... where did you learn to...?”
I ignored him, focusing on Gianna as she gradually exhausted herself and her struggles weakened. When her breathing shifted from rage to defeat, I carefully released her and stepped back with my hands raised. “Are you done?” I asked quietly.
Gianna stumbled forward, rubbing her wrists though I knew I hadn't hurt her. Tears streamed down her face.
“Sisters, please!” Jacob rushed forward, finally snapping out of his stupor with a horrified expression. “This has gone too far!”
Gianna whirled around to face me with hatred blazing in her eyes. “You're not her,” she whispered so quietly I barely caught it. I wondered if Jacob heard. “And one day, everyone will know.”
That was a threat. Subtle, but it was there. Hopefully by then, the real Arya would be back.
“What did you say?” Jacob murmured as he approached Gianna, confusion laced in his expression.
Gianna turned her gaze to me knowingly. I glared at her, daring her to say it. She gulped deeply as she met my eyes, unable to look at Jacob.
