Page 111 of Fallen Nocturne

“Whenever you're ready, Your Highness,” he says.

A challenge glints beneath the formality. It feels dangerously close to a dare. I set my jaw and lift Starfall between us.

The moment Hrolf signals us to begin, I expect him to go easy.

He doesn’t.

His blade catches mine and twists. It happens so fast I barely see it. One moment I’m raising the blade and the next the sword is gone from my hand and I’m stumbling back against the wall, his forearm across my chest, his face six inches from mine.

The Starfall sword strikes the floor with a clang.

I stare at it.

Arescaine lowers his weapon. “Again?”

“You took me by surprise,” I mutter begrudgingly.

Hrolf bursts into laughter. “An opponent rarely warns you before attacking.”

I retrieve the sword, heat climbing into my face. “Again.”

This time, I am ready.

Our blades meet with a sharp ring. I block his first strike and duck beneath the second, stepping inside his reach. For one glorious moment, I think I have him.

Then Arescaine pivots.

My back meets the forge wall. His practice sword rests beneath my chin, and his body blocks every path of escape. He is close enough that I can feel the heat coming from him.

Coral growls from beside the water barrel.

Arescaine glances toward her. “I win again.”

“No, you don’t.”

His eyes return to mine.

I raise my free hand. The small dagger from my belt is pressed against the inside of his thigh, just beneath the edge of his coat.

A beat of silence. Then Hrolf lets out a laugh that fills the entire forge. “She got you good, vampire.”

Arescaine looks down at the dagger, then slowly back at me. Something dangerously amused enters his eyes.

“A draw,” he says.

“I prefer victory.” I press the dagger lightly against his breeches to make my point.

He steps back and allows me to lower the blade. The strange closeness of the moment lingers even after the space opens between us.

Hrolf takes the sword from me and examines the edge for damage. “You’ve got good instincts for an elf. Natural balance, too. That’ll serve you well.”

For a moment, the scene feels familiar. This sword practice. I almost remember another lesson, another lifetime.

Pain presses briefly behind my eyes. I shake my head, and the feeling disappears.

Hrolf returns the sword to me, then begins collecting the tools scattered across the workbench.

Arescaine moves to help him.