A Dance of Shadows

The morning sun was still stretching over the horizon when Arianne arrived at the training grounds. The night's lesson with Rian still lingered in her mind—his closeness, the way he had studied her like she was a puzzle he was trying to solve.

She shook the thought away. She had come here to train, not to lose herself in emotions she couldn't afford.

Kael was already waiting, tossing a small rock between his fingers. His usual grin widened when he saw her.

"So," he said, his voice dripping with amusement. "How was your *special* training?"

Arianne rolled her eyes. "Exhausting."

Kael chuckled. "Oh, I'm sure it was."

Before she could respond, Rian's voice cut through the chatter.

"Line up!"

The recruits snapped to attention as Rian strode forward.

"Today, we'll be focusing on hand-to-hand combat," he announced. "No weapons, no armor—just skill and instinct."

Arianne squared her shoulders. She had grown more confident in swordplay, but unarmed combat was another matter. She had spent years learning the delicate movements of courtly dances, not the brutal efficiency of a warrior's strikes.

Rian scanned the group before his eyes settled on her.

"Ari," he called. "Step forward."

She stiffened but obeyed, moving to the center of the ring.

"You'll spar first," Rian said, then turned. "With me."

A ripple of murmurs spread through the recruits. No one had ever sparred with the general in unarmed combat before.

Arianne's pulse quickened, but she forced herself to stay calm.

"You wanted to learn," Rian said, his voice quiet enough that only she could hear. "Now show me what you've got."

### **A Test of Strength**

They circled each other, the tension thick between them.

Arianne made the first move, lunging forward with a quick jab. Rian dodged effortlessly, his movements fluid.

"Faster," he instructed.

She struck again, this time feinting left before pivoting right.

Rian barely avoided her attack, his eyes flickering with something close to approval.

"Better," he murmured.

But then he countered.

A swift movement—too fast for her to follow—and suddenly, she was off balance, her feet barely skimming the ground before he caught her wrist and twisted, pulling her forward.

Before she could react, she was on the ground, pinned beneath him.

The world tilted as she found herself staring up at him, his weight pressing against her just enough to keep her trapped but not enough to hurt.

His expression was unreadable.

"Too eager," he murmured. "You rely on speed, but speed alone won't save you."

Arianne's breath came fast. The warmth of his body, the steady rise and fall of his chest—it was distracting in a way that had nothing to do with battle.

She gritted her teeth.

With a sharp twist, she used his own momentum against him, shifting her weight and knocking him off balance.

A moment later, she was the one on top, her hands gripping his wrists, pressing him down against the dirt.

The silence that followed was deafening.

The recruits were frozen in shock.

Rian was still beneath her, his face inches from hers.

Arianne's heart pounded. She should move. She *had* to move.

But neither of them did.

For the briefest moment, she saw something in his gaze—something that made the world feel too small, too quiet.

Then, just as quickly as it had happened, Rian smirked.

"Not bad," he murmured.

Arianne flushed and quickly released him, scrambling to her feet.

Rian rose more slowly, dusting off his tunic.

"Lesson learned?" he asked.

She exhaled, nodding. "Yes, General."

But as she returned to her place among the recruits, she couldn't ignore the way his gaze lingered on her.

And she knew—this battle between them was far from over.

### **A Whispered Truth**

That night, Arianne sat outside her tent, watching the stars.

She didn't hear him approach until he was standing beside her.

"You fight well," Rian said quietly.

She glanced up at him. "You didn't seem impressed earlier."

His lips twitched. "I was."

Silence stretched between them, heavy with unsaid words.

Then, softer, he added, "You remind me of someone."

Arianne's breath caught.

"Who?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

Rian hesitated. Then, almost reluctantly, he said, "The princess."

Arianne froze.

"You've never met her," she said carefully.

Rian nodded. "No. But I've spent years preparing for her. Imagining what she'd be like."

Arianne's heart clenched.

"And?" she asked, forcing herself to sound casual.

Rian exhaled. "I always thought she'd be different from the women of the court. Stronger. Fiercer." His gaze flickered to her. "Like you."

Arianne's breath hitched.

She was playing a dangerous game—one that could shatter everything if the truth came to light.

And yet, as she sat there beneath the stars, listening to the man who was meant to be her future, she wondered—

Would he still look at her the same way if he knew?

Or would everything between them vanish like smoke in the wind?