I didn’t need to understand his language to understand his implications. He was challenging me. Daring me to act on my empress’ orders. After his earlier reaction I knew he wouldn’t truly follow through, and yet my mouth went dry as my eyes darted from him to the pile of furs. The empress demanded it. . . but the thought of this stranger, this murderer, touching me in ways no one ever had?
A violent tremor wracked my body and I turned and fled from the room, my golems lumbering after me. My eyes burned and I blinked furiously, unable to control my shaking as Ryker slammed the door shut. Why was I so absolutely and utterly weak? All of Lilitha’s previous daughter’s had performed their duty. It shouldn’t be so hard, and yet I was failing both the empress and myself. There was no way Ryker was going to fall for me, and if he was still determined to kill me, I was as good as dead.
9
Games of the Heart
Ilunged,tryingtoget out of the way, but wasn’t fast enough, and Master Yuma’s reed staff cracked across my ribs.
“Uhn,” I winced, my eyes stinging, but I didn’t stop. Taking a couple of steps back, I strengthened my stance—at least I was still standing; that was an improvement.
We continued dancing around one another for another few minutes. Me trying to dodge, while more often than not, Master Yuma ended up smacking me with his stick.
“You need to focus,” he said, circling me on the outer edge of the raised wooden platform.
I nodded, unable to talk as I gasped for air.
“Don’t just watch the weapon, Princess, watch my movements. My body will tell you where and when I plan to strike long before you will ever see my weapon moving.”
I nodded again, wiping the sweaty tendrils of silver hair out of my face. My eyes darted to the far side of the training hall. Cassie and Alex were locked in a deep conversation in the corner. I was grateful for their support, and equally grateful that they weren't too focused on my humiliation.
The other member of my audience, however, hadn’t stopped watching me for the past hour, and I began to wonder if he was just sleeping with his eyes open. I honestly wasn’t sure why Ryker was even there. Besides the awkward breakfast that morning—one where the empress had been pleased to see me playing nice—it was the first time I’d seen him since I’d stumbled into his room.
My insides twisted at the memory, and I snapped my attention back to Master Yuma. He charged again, and I darted to the left just as he changed direction. Sin, he was fast! Unable to adjust my trajectory in time, I sailed right into his staff.Oof, I doubled over in pain, and Master Yuma was kind enough to remove his weapon from my midsection.
“You’re trying too hard, little warrior,” he murmured, patting me on the shoulder as I wheezed.
“Or not enough.” I whimpered. Something moved in my peripheral vision, and I tensed when Ryker strode toward the platform. I backed away, and Master Yuma bowed his head when my intended came to a stop at the side of the platform. Ryker hesitated for a moment before circling around and passing a note to Master Yuma. The old man took it, glancing over it a few times before a smile quirked up his wrinkled face.
“Very well, if you wish.” He moved to the edge of the stage and lowered himself to the floor, sitting cross-legged with his wooden staff over his legs.
“Um, what’s going on?” I asked, my heart rate increasing as Ryker pulled himself onto the platform and faced me with a blank expression.
“Master Yuma?” I asked again, trying not to hyperventilate.
“He wants you to attack him,” Master Yuma said from his perch on the edge of the platform.
“What? Why?”
Ryker cocked his head, widening his stance and motioning me to come at him.
Like hell. One wrong move, and he could snap my neck before any golems had a second to stop him.
“No.” I straightened and took a step back, shaking my head. I knew how weak I was; I didn’t stand a chance against him. I looked to my sister for backup, and my gut twisted when I found the corner where she and Alex had previously been empty.
Hurting, I tore back around to face Ryker, a snarl on my lips. “Just go away!”
He motioned me forward again, and I took another step back, but I’d reached the edge of the platform and my foot hit nothing but air.
Lucifer!Arms flailing, I toppled backward and clenched my eyes shut, anticipating the jarring pain.
A strong hand grasped my wrist, jerking me forward, and I once again came nose to chest with Ryker. At least he had a shirt on this time. Anger welled up within me—for my own pathetic stupidity—and acting on pure instinct, I swung my fist. He slipped away, and I cursed when my hand missed its mark and met air.Sin. Rage fueling my madness, I let my momentum carry me across the stage. I continued to kick at him and throw punches, but he kept moving just out of reach.
“You’re only proving my point that you’re an assassin!”
Ryker rolled his eyes and halted. Seeing my chance, I lunged. He grabbed my hand, stopping me mid punch before releasing me. I tried again, this time kicking out. He sidestepped and seized my foot, lifting it higher and knocking me off balance. He shoved me backward, and I landed on my butt.
“What is the point of this?” I glared at him.