Page 55 of In the Embrace of Dragons

When she notices me, a big smile lights up Nissia’s face, and my heart gives an answering tug. I nod at her companionably, then pull my own training sword from the wall. As I turn around, I see that Vizarios is there, staying toward the back of the crowd.

I nod in his direction, and her eyes follow it. She gives a little wave, and his expression turns into one of confusion. Then, still baffled, he waves back.

Out in the yard, I try to forget everything around us and focus on my partner. She is nimble, and I like that she pushes me to be faster and smarter. I can’t always out-maneuver herwith how small she is, so my best option is to not give her an opening.

On our first bout, Nissia easily dodges my attacks, spry on her feet and fighting in top form. We fight for a long time, neither of us giving an inch, until she manages to duck down low and tap her sword on my ribcage.

Even if I were wearing armor, an attack like that would be deadly.

While I am self-conscious under Vizarios’s gaze, Queen Nissia is the opposite. She escapes my attacks and mounts her own counterattacks, parrying and dodging and generally keeping me moving. Soon, I am panting, and I am certainly not holding back anymore.

We fight until we are both exhausted, and I think for once, Nissia has won more times than I did. But she doesn’t crow or flounce, simply offering me her hand so we can shake when we’re finished.

Vizarios is waiting for us by the exit when we dispense of our training swords. We are both slick with sweat, and I want to lick it off of Nissia’s long neck.

I shake my head to clear the image away.

The king has one eyebrow arched, his arms crossed as we approach. Nissia gifts him an unguarded smile.

“What did you think?”

“You actually had him on the ropes,” Vizarios says with wonder, glancing between us. “I’ve never seen someone make Rag work that hard.”

Her face glows like the sun.

“Thank you.” She rubs my arm. “The captain is a good sparring partner.”

Something flashes in Vizarios’s eyes, but then it’s gone.

“Indeed.” The king nibbles his lip with his front fangs, as if he’s nervous. “You were both... beautiful. Perhaps I should have learned swordplay, so I would not be left out.”

When Nissia opens her mouth to object, he waves a hand at her.

“I am joking. I have no aptitude at all for sports.”

I walk the two of them back into the castle, down the halls to where their paths diverge.

“Come with me, Rag?” Vizarios asks, so I bid goodnight to Nissia and follow. I don’t ask questions as Vizarios opens the door to his rooms and waves for me to come inside.

He sits down at his table, and I bring him a goblet of firewine. Sipping it, he leans back in his chair.

“Do you like her?” he asks. “The queen?”

The question completely blindsides me.

“Of course I do,” I say quickly. “She’s smart, and kind, and very fast on her feet?—”

“Not like that,” Vizarios interrupts. He rolls his eyes. “You know what I mean. Do youwanther, Ragnakor?”

My mouth must fall open like a dead fish’s. How do I answer this in a way that protects the fragile peace?

“No,” I say as quickly as I can. “I don’t, Your Majesty. I don’t harbor any feelings like that.”

He bares his teeth at me. “You are a bad liar. I saw how you looked at her during your fight. You didn’t try as hard as you could have.”

“I don’t want to hurt her—” I begin.

“—and you look at her the same way her puppy does,” the king finishes. “With adoration.”