Page 79 of The Silversmith

I shook my head. “I don’t want to hurt him.”

“You won’t.” He raised a brow. “Not if your betrothed is much of a teacher.”

With a roll of my eyes, I returned to Caz. His hazel gaze sparkled with humor as he shook a strand of black hair out of his eye. “Did he impart any grumpy wisdom upon you?”

In my best effort to be vague, I said, “He wants me to be… rougher.”

Caz laughed, motioning for me to come at him. “Then by all means, do your worst, Your Majesty.”

At least I had his permission.

I lunged again, and Caz dodged until I lowered my arms, pretending to give up. And then Caz, my dear friend, let out a playful snort and shook his head. His attention left me for a second.

It was all I needed.

My arm unfurled like a snake and my knuckles met with the center of his neck, sharp and effective.

“What the—shit!” Caz wheezed.

I covered my mouth with my hands, shocked. Immediately regretful.

Deep, booming laughter erupted from our left, where Gavin tossed his head back in amusement.

“Did that asshole tell you to do that?” Caz croaked, pointing at Gavin.

“Yes,” Gavin answered for me, still laughing deeply. “But she—” He shook his head, grinning with pride. “So well executed.”

“That’s a shit move. I wasn’t even looking.” Caz rubbed his neck, where a red mark was forming. And then he smirked, coughing away his surprise. “Though I suppose being punched in the throat by my queen is an honor.”

I bit my bottom lip. A failed attempt to suppress a relieved and confident grin.

“That’s enough for today, Caz. Thank you.” Gavin strode over to us and nodded toward the tavern. “Better put some ice on that.”

Caz snorted and shrugged, agreeing. Both Sinclairs shared their unrufflable demeanor. It was crucial for Finn to be with someone like Gemma. Someone had to level her fire.

But this morning, I was especially grateful for Caz. His awareness and self-confidence that kept him unbothered by Gavin’s corrosive treatment. He whistled cheerily as he walked back to the tavern, still rubbing his neck. The man had to be quite comfortable with himself to be ordered around by someone so intimidating, who he hardly knew. Or maybe Caz was just smart.

“You did well.”

I turned to see Gavin standing before me, arms crossed, eyes aflame with pride. He followed my every move, even as I emptied my canteen down my throat without tasting the water. I’d hardly had a drink since breakfast.

Something dark flashed across his face. “You’re learning.”

But I had only been successful after he gave me instructions. I wouldn’t be very useful if I couldn’t strike on my own.

“Maybe I’ll be fine if I have someone near me to give me orders, but send me alone, and—”

Iron grips fastened around my wrists and forced me to the ground. Within a second, he was straddling me, the weight of his body pinning me, helplessly bound.

“What are you doing?” I rasped. “G-Gavin!” I jerked and thrashed, but he was so impossibly strong. Only the force of magic could get him off me—of which, I had yet to feel even a flicker.

“What would you have done if I hadn’t shown up?” he hissed.

“I—I don’t know!”

“Well,” he sneered, gripping the fabric of my sweater and sliding it up, exposing my midriff. “You’d better figure it out.”

“Stop!” I panicked when his hand slid beneath my sweater. “No, no, no! What—what are you doing?” I yelped when his fingers dug into my bare rib cage with more than enough force to bruise. “You’re hurting me!”