AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Yeah. How long ago did you graduate?”
“Two years ago. I took the mundane job so I could commit myself to the Guild.”
“Nice, what’s your name again?”
“I don’t usually give that out, for obvious reasons,” the girl states, waving her arm around. “But it seems you’re in the Guild now. So, I’m Florentine.”
“Nice to officially meet you, Florentine. Are you about to whip my ass?”
“You better believe it.”
Raven strolls off with her new-found friend while the four of us gape at her in confusion.
“If you fuckers are going to actually get some work done tonight, I’ll take one of you. Let’s go.”
I frown as I glance around to find the source behind the backhanded comment, only to see the guy who was dancing that night with Leila. Searching for the girl in question, she’s already slipped off with a fourth-year girl, so I take the asshole’s offer.
Spinning the handle of my blade, I follow after him as the others pair off, too. Once we’ve given ourselves a good amount of space, he spins to face me with his blade aimed in my direction.
“How are your blade skills?”
“Good,” I confidently reply, and he smirks.
“We’ll see about that, shall we?” He charges toward me without wasting another second, barely giving me a chance to defend myself, but I do, much to his disappointment.
Taking a step back, I plant my feet shoulder-width apart and tighten my grasp on my blade. This time, when he comes toward me, I’m ready and poised. The clang of metal on metal echoes around us as our swords clash over and over again. He’s fast, but I’m faster, and as his face gets redder, his moves get sloppier.
I let him lead the movement, footwork and all, until he takes a bit too long lifting his blade and I thrust mine toward him instead. He deflects with a startled look in his eyes, his emotions clearly getting the better of him as he defends each blow. It doesn’t take long for the tip of my sword to be pressed against his exposed neck, and he gulps, his Adam’s apple working overtime as he glares at me.
“I thought you said you were good,” he grunts, knocking my blade away with the side of his hand, and I let it drop to my side as we both take a couple of deep breaths.
“I am,” I grunt, beads of sweat already dancing down my spine, and I can’t deny that a zing of excitement goes along with it.
“No, that was phenomenal. I’m the best swordsman in the Guild. What’s your name again?”
A hint of surprise touches the corner of my lips as I stare at him. “Zane, Zane Denver.”
It’s his turn to look shocked this time. “As in Monarch Denver?”
“That would be my father,” I reply with a nod, which he mimics.
“I’m Grave. I have a family member who is a part of The Monarchy as well. Please tell me they put a blade in your hands from a young age, too, and it’s not just some weird rite of passage for my family alone,” he grumbles, making me smirk.
“That would be a correct assessment. It’s your grandfather, right? Monarch Richardson.”
His brows furrow. “How do you know that? I don’t make it public knowledge.”
“Which is exactly why I make itmyknowledge,” I retort. “No one who goes around bragging about their lineage to The Monarchy is worth shit, in my opinion. Although, someone who beds a girl and goes around bragging aboutthatis also low on the totem pole.” I don’t care if we’re besties with Leila or not. I don’t want this guy thinking he’s similar to me if he pulls stunts like that.
“Wait, what? When did I do that?” He scrubs the back of his neck, genuinely confused. At least he gets the hint that I’m referring to him.
“Leila Fitch.”
“Wait, what? No, I didn’t. How does anyone even know about that?”
My gaze narrows. “Maybe I misheard, but that’s what it sounded like when she spoke of you after the party the other weekend. It seemed like everyone knew about it afterward.”
“But all I did was dance with her. See? This is why I keep myself to myself and don’t deal with other people’s bullshit, man.” The truth is in his eyes. He’s completely bewildered with the drama spilling from my lips and now I feel like a fool.
