Kyren attacked first—fast.
His wooden sword cut through the air in a quick, testing strike, forcing me to react on instinct. I barely managed to block in time, the impact vibrating up my arms. The force sent me skidding back, boots dragging against the dirt.
"Too slow," he taunted.
I gritted my teeth. Oh, he was enjoying this.
I adjusted my stance, spreading my feet for better balance. My heart pounded, but I forced myself to breathe. This wasn't the first time I'd held a blade, though I'd never fought someone like him—someone who looked at battle like a game he never lost.
Kyren circled me like a predator, studying. "Where did you learn to hold a sword?"
I smirked, shifting my grip. "Wouldn't you like to know?"
His gaze flickered with something close to amusement. Then he struck again—harder, faster.
This time, I was ready.
I dodged, letting his momentum carry him forward before I twisted, bringing my blade up toward his ribs. He blocked just in time, but I didn't stop there. I pressed forward, using his own weight against him.
Our swords clashed in rapid succession, sharp echoes ringing through the courtyard. Each strike sent jolts up my arms, but I didn't back down. I matched him—maybe not in strength, but in sheer will.
Kyren's smirk widened, eyes gleaming like molten gold. "Not bad."
I arched a brow, breathless. "Not good enough?"
Instead of answering, he feinted left, then swept his leg out.
I saw it too late.
His boot slammed into my calf, knocking my footing out from under me. I gasped, bracing for impact—
But before I could hit the ground, I twisted midair, grabbing his collar. If I was going down, I was taking him with me.
Kyren's surprise lasted a fraction of a second before we crashed together—my back hitting the dirt with him on top of me.
For a long, breathless moment, neither of us moved.
His weight pinned me, the warmth of his body pressing against mine. His golden eyes burned into mine, and I could feel the way his breath ghosted over my lips.
The world seemed to still, as if even the air around us was waiting for what would happen next.
Then he grinned.
"A bold move, little rose." His voice was low, edged with something dangerous.
I refused to let him see how my heart pounded against my ribs. Instead, I smirked. "And yet, you still ended up beneath me."
Kyren's gaze darkened. Something shifted between us—something unspoken.
A slow, knowing smirk curled at the edges of his lips. "Careful, Vidalia," he murmured. "You might actually start to enjoy our little game."
I refused to let him have the last word. With all my strength, I shoved him off me and rolled onto my feet. He landed smoothly, watching as I dusted myself off like nothing had happened.
The surrounding soldiers and nobles had gone silent, watching us with wide eyes. Some were amused, others were whispering.
I turned to Kyren, lifting my wooden sword. "Again."
For the first time since I met him, Kyren laughed—a deep, rich sound that sent a shiver down my spine.
"Oh, I like you." His smirk was pure arrogance. "Try to keep up, little rose."
And with that, we clashed again.