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Anger started to seep into his features. “I know many things about my father. One of them being that he’s anything but incredible.”
“Well, you know nothing,” I countered.
Bennett turned to face me and snapped, “No, it is you who knows nothing.”
I could feel the heat burning into my cheeks and spreading through the veins in my body. He was a mirrored image of my own emotions.
“I guess some things are still the same.” I gave him a look of distaste before turning my head to face back over the city.
“I guess they are.” He kept his gaze on me. “You’re still the same meek, naive, and oblivious little girl you were when I left this place.”
I jerked my chin towards him. “I am nothing like that,” I spat.
“Well, you’re doing a very bad job proving to me that you aren’t.”
I turned to him completely, frustration written all over my features, not caring if he could read it on my face.
“I’ll have you know that I am not the girl you once knew. I am not the one who couldn’t read, or fight, or escape from binding shadows.” His features altered slightly for a moment but went back to the sharp stare. I almost couldn’t tell if anything changed at all. “I am strong in body and in mind. Words and blows do not hurt me as they once did. I will not allow it. The girl you knew left with you as a memory when you went to live in Vicinus, and she never came back. You would be a fool to underestimate me. I wouldn’t do it again.”
I didn’t know where those words came from or why I felt the need to defend myself like I did, but I felt powerful when they were said, if only for a moment.
Bennett tilted his head back and laughed. He actually laughed. I wanted to rip my ears off my head at the sound, embarrassment flooding my body.
I would not give in. I would not allow him to get to me.
“Dramatic as always,” he said coldly. “You’re seriously telling me not to underestimate you? Don’t give yourself the satisfaction that you would ever cross my mind.”
Ouch.
“Although,” he continued, “I would love an opportunity to see this so-called strength, because if I remember correctly, it was I who beat you in the training room.
“Every.
“Single.
“Time.”
“You wouldn’t this time,” I responded, steam practically shooting from my ears.
He scoffed. “And why would you think that? It’s highly unlikely. I’ve been training in craft and body for the last eight years. I have control and skill to match my abilities. I wouldn’t dare spar with you, for your own sake.”
“I’ve been training for the past eight years, too. Relentlessly. I practice with the royal guards, with Miles, and on my own. I never miss a day, and I can guarantee I have worked harder than you and because of that, I will be better than you.”
He smirked, fire lighting behind his eyes. “If this is even true, why in the world have you been training so hard? What for? For the sole purpose of going against me?”
I scoffed. “Don’t flatter yourself.”
“Then why are you training?”
His stare was intense, like he was practically trying to pry the answers from my eyes alone. Bennett didn’t know that I was the assassin, and he never could. I didn’t trust him like I used to, especially now with the knowledge that he was against his father’s rule.
“Why are you against your father’s rule?” I countered. I wanted him to tell me—I needed him to. I couldn’t help but wonder if his distaste of Pater had been fed to him through someone else, perhaps his uncle, or even the Red Bones.
“I guess we both have secrets.” He shrugged, turning back to look out the window.
“I guess we do.”
We returned to our original state of silence, the waves from the raging ocean and the voices of those on the streets below the only sounds filling the tower. Having had enough of this pointless conversation and feeling disappointed in my encounter with Bennett, I went to grab my things and leave.
I couldn’t stop myself from leaving without one last thing to say. “I was hoping you had changed.” My voice was softer. I glanced back at him before I stepped through the door. His gaze was still hard and distant as it met mine. “Next week on Monday, meet me at the training room at sunrise,” I said. “Just you and I to spar. No craft, no weapons. Then, you will see the truth behind my statement.”
“Who says I’ll even show?”
“Your pride.”
I turned and walked out the door and down the steps, exhaustion knocking on the door to my mind.
“I’ll make sure to go easy on you,” Bennett yelled, his voice traveling down the tower stairs. My annoyance flared again at the fact that he had to have the last word.
Prick.
