"Mira, Your Highness," she whispered as I took a step back to allow for the slightest amount of room between us. Her hand came up reflexively to smooth over the skin my blade had just been held to. There was no wound—I’d been careful—but it was natural to want to ensure your throat was indeed intact.
I gave her a moment to assure herself of that fact before I felt her focus entirely back on me. Slipping my dagger back into my boot, I crossed my arms in front of my chest.
“Well, Mira, as you just saw, I’m quite the fan of things that aren’t acceptable.” The barest of smiles turned her lips up at my words. “Humor me.”
Her anxiety was palpable from the rigid set to her shoulders and the way her tongue kept darting out to wet her lips.
“I wasn’t lying with the horses, Your Highness,” she answered, lowering her voice and dropping her eyes to the ground, “just the stableman.”
My eyes widened and I couldn’t stop the laughter from pouring out of me.
“Good for you,” I answered, composing myself. “Just a word of caution: Sebastian is known to not have the best loyalty when it comes to his partners.”
It was her turn to laugh, and I found a smile returning to my lips as she did. It was a sweet laugh that instantly put me at ease.
“I appreciate your honesty, Princess Siyana, but you don’t have to worry about that,” she admitted with a wink. “I don’t have all my eggs in one basket, either.”
My smile turned into a full-fledged grin. I officially liked her.
Her words seemed genuine, and if she was indeed new like I thought, the story of getting lost was entirely plausible—it wasn’t a small castle, after all. She was either a terrific performer, or I was a gullible oaf.
Despite my heart telling me she was being honest with me, there was still a matter to settle. One that I couldn’t let go so easily.
I stepped back to lean against the wall. “So, Mira, what do you intend to do with the knowledge that I was sparring? It isn’t common knowledge, and it needs to stay that way."
Mira's eyes widened as she smoothed her hands down the front of her dress, a flicker of something I couldn't quite place dancing across her face. Why did she suddenly seem nervous?
"Do with it? Nothing, Your Highness. I...” Her eyes rose to meet mine, her shoulders rolling back as she admitted, “I admire you. The way you moved with that sword, it was like watching poetry in motion. I couldn’t look away until the dragon’s roar shocked me out of it."
I blinked, taken aback by her unexpected response. There was an earnestness in her gaze that gave me pause.
"You admire it?" I asked, incredulity coloring my tone.
Mira nodded earnestly, her earlier fear of me seemingly forgotten. "Yes, Princess. I've never seen anything like it. The strength, the grace...” She let out a soft sigh, “It was beautiful."
A warmth blossomed in my chest at her words, a feeling I wasn't accustomed to when it came to my secret passion. I had to temper down my inclination to want to preen like a peacock at her praise.
I felt my guard lowering despite just having met her. There was something in Mira's eyes—a spark of genuine admiration and longing–that resonated deep within me. I recognized that look. I'd seen it in my own reflection countless times when I thought of watching the new recruits train as a young girl.
"Tell me, Mira," I said softly pushing off the wall, "have you ever held a sword?"
A wistful smile played on her lips. "Only in my dreams, Your Highness." She hesitated, then the words tumbled out in a rush."Ever since I was a little girl, I'd practice with sticks in secret, imagining I was wielding a real sword.”
Her confession stirred something within me, a kindred spirit recognizing another. This was a woman who’d join me in burning down the patriarchy, if there was ever a time for it.
I felt a smile tugging at my lips, unbidden. This girl's passion mirrored my own so closely it was almost uncanny. For a moment, I saw myself in her—that burning desire to break free from the constraints society placed upon us, to prove we were more than delicate flowers to be admired from afar.
"Mira," I said, my voice barely above a whisper in case someone walked by, "what if I told you that your dreams don't have to remain just that? Dreams, I mean."
Her eyes widened, a mix of hope and disbelief shining in their depths. "Your Highness?"
"I could teach you. In secret, of course.” My brows pinched together as I started to work out the details in my head. “It won't be easy–you'll have bruises, blisters, and aches in places you didn't know existed. But if you're willing to put in the work, I can show you how to wield a blade."
Mira's face lit up with an inner fire that I recognized all too well. But as quickly as it appeared, doubt clouded her features.
"But Your Highness, I'm just a servant. Surely I'm not worthy of such an honor. And what if we're caught? I couldn't bear it if I caused you trouble."
Her worry for me only proved I was right to like her. Here I was, offering her exactly what she wanted, yet her mind jumped straight to ensuring I wouldn’t get in trouble for it.
