Page 15 of Lady Knight and the Thief

Cypress huffed a laugh. “No, I am no Lady. Just as you aren’tnobody.”

Torren grinned at her over the fire. “I was, until you used your ladylike wiles against me.”

Cypress snorted. “My ladylike wiles? You mean beating your ass in a sword fight?”

“Please. You only won because you surprised me. I was trying not to hurt you, or have you slice your own arm off.”

“That's what you get for assuming every woman is incompetent.”

Torren opened and closed his mouth a few times while he tried to form words. “That's not-”

“It is exactly what you were doing, Princeling. Let's not lie to each other, hmm?”

“How was I to know aLadyin my brother’s tent knew how to handle a sword?”

“You’ll find,Princeling, many women are quite adept at a great many things.”

“Alright,” Torren said, raising his hands in supplication. “ I get it, I’m sorry.”

Cypress smiled. “Thank you,” she said, and then moved the bread a bit farther away from the fire so the crust wouldn’t burn. “How much longer for the hare, do you think?”

Torren bent to inspect the meat, prodding it with the tip of his knife. “Few more minutes at most. Did they pack any wine for us?”

Cypress smirked. “Trying to get a Lady drunk?”

“I don’t see any Ladies here, Cypress. Just a Captain and a Thief.”

Cypress bowed her head in acquiescence, reaching into her bags for the jug she’d seen while rummaging for provisions.

7

A Lover’s Demonstration

“Surelywehavetobe nearly there now,” Cypress grumbled, her head dropping back on her shoulders. Strands of her dark hair whipped across her face with the breeze.

After another in the saddle, she had long ago becomeboredwith the constant rippling landscape of trees and farmland. They’d left the foothills of the mountains where the Castle was located days ago, though Cypress had been in uncharted territory–for her, anyway– for over a week.

“No, we are not nearly to the Wylds, Lass. But we are nearly to Dorne Towne. There will be an inn, a real bed, and maybe even some companionship to loosen your loins,” Torren drawled, running his tongue along his teeth, shimmying his shoulders.

“You’re an incorrigible rake, you know that?”

Torren smiled, “I love to love, is that so bad?”

Cypress shook her head. “I’ll take a real bed and be glad for it. What you do on your own time is none of my business.”

“Don’t tell me you’re a prim and proper thing now,” Torren jibed, “I thought you had tasted lifemost thoroughly?”

Cypress decided he was just trying to get a rise out of her, so she smiled.

“Are you looking for instructions?” She asked, giving him a look of mock concern. “Do you need to know how to bring a lady pleasure? Or do you prefer men? I can help in either case. Perhaps give you an example to follow, and proper instruction while you’re with your lover, if you need?”

Torren sputtered, a flush rising around his neck.

At the sight of his embarrassment, Cypress couldn’t contain her laughter any longer. Tilting her head back, she roared with it, hand clutched over her middle.

“Alright, alright. You’ve had your fun,” Torren groused, nudging her with his foot from where they rode side by side.

“Like I said, Thief. You’ll find a woman is adept in a great many things,” Cypress sang, urging her horse forward.