Page 59 of The Assassin's Dancer
“Stay here,” he says, turning away. “I’ll have Meera bring you something else to wear while we spar.”
“But I’ll be wearing this to Andrick’s,” I remind him. “It wouldn’t make sense for me to practise in anything else.”
Kaz’s jaw tightens, but then he sighs, turning back to face me. “Fine.”
Dropping both daggers on the nearest dresser, he rolls his shoulders. “We’ll start with seeing what you know. Try to defend yourself from me.”
I nod, heart pounding.
A brief silence falls over us. Kasimir remains still, watching me like a predator as my skin starts to feel hot. Maybe he was right. Maybe I should change out of this gown.
But before I can say anything, I’m suddenly flying backwards.
There’s a blur of black. I yelp. Then I’m pinned against the wall, my eyes growing wide as I blink up at him.
“Fight back,” he orders, looming over me.
I try to, but his strong hands already have mine locked above my head. Snarling, I squirm and thrash, kicking my legs like a wild beast, but it’s no use. I may as well be trapped under aboulder. With his entire body pressed against mine, I can barely breathe.
Kaz clicks his tongue. “You’re hopeless,” he groans, pushing away from the wall and taking all the weight with him.
The moment I’m free, I gasp. Thick air rushes into my lungs and I double over as my hands drop to my knees.
This shouldn’t be so hard. I cough forcefully. It’s not fair.
“Try again,” I hear Kaz say. His footsteps thud against the carpet as he returns to his place across the room. “This time, try to stop me before I trap you against the wall.”
Hesitantly, I straighten.
“Listen,” he starts, urgency burning in his words. “You’re a dancer, right? You have strong legs. Use them. Try to trip me up or move out of the way. Anything.”
“Fine.” I exhale, adjusting my position. I can do this. I’m strong. I’m?—
Kasimir moves quicker than a shadow. I try to dart to the side, but he’s already grabbed my arm and shoved me towards the wall. Yelping, I kick at his legs. There’s no point, though. After the third kick my shins burn, and I’m certain I must be doing more damage to myself.
Once again, my back thuds against the wall, and my arms are soon locked above my head.
“It’s like you’re not even trying,” he sighs, pushing off me.
“You’re too strong!”
“As if the men at the whorehouse will be any weaker,” he snarls back. “Believe or not, I’m holding back right now. The men out there won’t be.” Scowling, he stomps over to the dresser and scoops up a wooden training dagger. “Take this.” He extends the hilt to me. “Hide it in your bodice, and the next time I charge at you, have it ready before I get there.”
Breath shaking, I accept the dagger.
Kasimir returns to his place.
The moment the dagger is secured between my breasts, he charges at me again. This time, with a yelp, I manage to whip out the dagger. But of course, my grip fails, and the hilt flies out of my hand, spinning through the air. Panicking, I grasp it heartbeats before Kaz is upon me, and I thrust it towards his chest.
He stops, inches away. Scowling, his gaze drops to my hand.
I can’t help but grin. I did it! I actually stopped him! But the grin slides off my face as I stare down at the dagger.
I’m holding it backwards, the dull blade covered by my hand.
“You just lost your fingers, Ruby,” Kaz tuts.
“Oh…”
