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“I don’t think I made myself clear,” Talon snarled, flicking his small knife up his sleeve as he strolled over to me. “There will be no time for socializing.”
The prince chewed on a smile, evidently amused by Talon’s warning.
“Now, Elowyn,” my keeper commanded me.
I stood, conflicted, giving the prince a weary smile of my own as I rounded Talon’s side. Further and further away until I was back in the main courtyard.
“Keep walking,” Talon said. He came up beside me, grabbing my arm.
The warmth of his touch made me trip, and I tried pulling my arm from his grasp for balance. “Let go of me,” I demanded, keeping my voice hushed.
“Stop fighting, the prince is watching us.” A warning.
I angled my head over my shoulder, attempting to get a glimpse of Prince Bowen.
But Talon yanked me forward once again and growled. “Stars, for once in your damn life, pretend to be a compliant human prisoner. He’s suspicious enough as it is.”
“That’s your own fault.” I thrashed again. “Maybe if you would’ve let me handle it and not let your jealousy take over, he wouldn’t be suspicious.”
Talon huffed a laugh, slammed his shoulder into the glass door, and shoved me inside the castle. He wasted no time dragging me through the corridor toward the training room.
“Let’s get one thing straight,” he said, cornering me between the wall and the training room door. “I couldn’t care less that the prince was trying to trick you into his bed. What I do care about is winning the trial.” He pulled open the door and forced me inside. The familiar musty air smacked me in the face. “And I’d be damned if he tricked you into a never-ending night of stars only knows what, making you forfeit the trials.” He stalked over to the wall of swords and grabbed a dagger, tossing it at me without warning.
This was going to be a challenging session.
Twenty-Eight
My stomach burned as I splayed out on the ground, sweat dripping down my neck, pooling in between my breasts. It was scorching hot in this stupid room. And I didn’t have much more left in me before I passed out from heat exhaustion.
“Get up and go again,” Talon said from his spot against the wall. He crossed his legs at the ankles, appearing perfectly content as he snacked on an apple, not a lick of moisture on his skin.
I cursed him under my breath.
“I’ve already done five rounds of sit-ups.” I used my wrist to wipe away the sweat beading on my forehead and upper lip. “How many more do I have to do?”
“Until I say you’re done,” Talon replied without looking up at me.
I rolled my eyes—not jealous my ass. He had some nerve taking his frustration out on me. Especially when he’d agreed that what happened meant nothing. I didn’t know why that bothered me. Maybe a part of me wished he would’ve challenged me, tried to prove I was full of it, but he’d surrendered without a fight.
“No, not until you admit it.” Huffing a breath, I got to my feet and crossed my arms against my chest.
Talon cocked his head to the side. The corner of his eyes wrinkled as his soft lips pulled into an amused smirk. “And, tell me, what exactly am I admitting to?”
“That it did, in fact, mean something to you.” A zap of energy pulsed between us.
“You’re going to need to be more specific. Much more specific.” His smile grew larger until his sharp teeth were on full display.
“Seriously, Talon? You know what I’m talking about. Stop playing games.”
“I’m afraid I’m dreadfully lost, firefly.” Talon shrugged. “Please, enlighten me.”
I shook my head, biting the inside of my cheek to keep my irritation in check as he toyed with the apple in his hand. “Us kissing, asshole. It wasn’t just nothing to you.”
Talon sunk his teeth into the apple, his tongue lapping at the pale flesh to gather all the juice. He watched me intently, then chewed. “Ah, that,” he said and wiped his bottom lip clean with the pad of his thumb. “You said yourself it meant nothing. Why do you care what I think?” His brow raised expectantly as he continued to chew.
“I don’t. I only want you to admit you’re full of shit.”
“And you’re not?” The knowing look he gave me had me shifting on my feet, a warm blush creeping up my neck.
