Gideon moved through the training yard, the dull ring of steel on steel echoing through the cool morning air. The scent of sweat and churned earth lingered beneath the rising sun.

  The yard was crowded with knights and squires, some sparring with blunted bdes, others tending to battered armor. The knights’ gazes followed Gideon as he passed. Some with curiosity, others with open wariness. He ignored them.

  At the far end of the yard, Era was dismantling an opponent. Her braid whipped through the air as she pivoted, driving the ft of her bde into the knight’s side. He dropped with a grunt.

  Era lowered her sword, her chest rising and falling beneath her light armor. She flicked her gaze toward Gideon as he approached.

  “Impressive,” Gideon said.

  Era smiled faintly. “You expected less?”

  Gideon shrugged. “I didn’t expect the restraint.”

  Era’s gaze sharpened. “You think I was holding back?”

  “You didn’t break his ribs,” Gideon said.

  Era’s mouth curved. “I’m not in the habit of crippling allies.”

  “Yet,” Gideon said.

  Era’s smile sharpened. “You came to watch?”

  “No,” Gideon said. “I came to train.”

  Era stepped closer, her gaze measuring. “With me?”

  “Unless you’re worried about holding back.”

  Her gaze fshed. “Give me a reason.”

  Gideon smiled. “I intend to.”

  Era nodded toward the rack of training swords. Gideon grabbed one and stepped into the ring with her. Around them, the yard quieted. Knights stopped their sparring, attention shifting toward the two figures at the center.

  Era’s sword flicked up, the steel catching the sunlight. “Ready?”

  Gideon raised his sword. “Always.”

  Era moved first.

  She crossed the space between them in a blur of motion, her sword shing out toward his side. Gideon caught the strike and twisted, sliding his bde along hers in a controlled parry.

  Era pivoted and struck low. Gideon stepped back, redirecting the blow with a sharp turn of his wrist.

  “You’re quick,” Era said.

  “You’re faster,” Gideon replied.

  Era’s smile sharpened. “We’ll see.”

  She pressed harder. Their swords met in a csh of steel, the impact vibrating up Gideon’s arms. He twisted beneath her next strike and countered with a low sweep. Era danced back, her braid whipping over her shoulder as she evaded the blow.

  “You’re holding back,” Gideon said.

  Era’s eyes glinted. “Am I?”

  She lunged. Gideon barely sidestepped the thrust. Her bde passed within inches of his side, the speed of the strike enough to stir his cloak.

  He pivoted and struck toward her exposed side. Era twisted, her sword coming up to intercept his. The force of the csh forced them chest to chest, their faces inches apart.

  Era’s gaze narrowed. “Not bad.”

  Gideon’s mouth curved. “Better than not bad.”

  Era’s gaze flicked to his mouth. For a brief moment, her breath stirred against his skin.

  Then she pushed him back and spun, driving a sharp kick toward his leg. Gideon caught her ankle, twisted, and swept her foot from under her. Era hit the ground hard.

  Gideon moved over her, his sword pressing lightly against her throat. Era’s gaze fred.

  “You win,” Era said.

  Gideon’s gaze didn’t waver. “Do I?”

  A shadow moved at the edge of the ring. Asha leaned zily against a post, amber hair tumbling over one shoulder. Her blue eyes gleamed beneath the rising sun.

  “Interesting technique,” Asha said. “Though I’d say she let you win.”

  Era’s gaze darkened. “Hardly.”

  Asha’s smile widened. “It looked like mercy to me.”

  Gideon stepped back and offered Era a hand. She ignored it and stood on her own, brushing dirt from her armor.

  Asha’s gaze flicked toward Gideon. “Care for another round?”

  Era’s gaze sharpened. “You?”

  Asha’s smile curled. “Why not?”

  Gideon studied her. “You’re not a knight.”

  “No,” Asha said. She stepped into the ring, eyes glinting. “But I’m curious.”

  “You think you can keep up?” Era said.

  Asha’s gaze sharpened. “Try me.”

  Era’s jaw tightened, but Gideon raised a hand. “I’ll handle this.”

  Asha’s eyes brightened. “Good.”

  Gideon tossed the training sword to the side and drew Nyra. The weight of the bde settled in his hand like an extension of his will.

  Asha’s smile sharpened. “Careful with that.”

  Gideon’s gaze darkened. “You’re worried?”

  Asha’s tail flicked zily behind her. “No,” she said. “I just don’t want you crying when you lose.”

  Gideon’s gaze narrowed. “We’ll see.”

  Asha’s eyes fshed. Then she moved.

  She was fast — faster than Era — and unnervingly fluid. She blurred toward him, cws extending from her fingertips as she struck. Gideon met the blow, steel ringing as Nyra intercepted the strike.

  Asha twisted, sliding beneath his guard and driving her knee toward his side. Gideon caught it and shoved her back. Asha flipped through the air and nded lightly, a teasing smile on her lips.

  “Not bad,” she said.

  Gideon advanced. Asha’s smile widened. She met him head-on, their strikes cshing in a rapid blur of motion. Her cws scraped over Nyra’s bde as she ducked beneath a swing and pressed close.

  “You’re good,” Asha whispered, her breath stirring against his neck.

  Gideon’s grip tightened. “So are you.”

  Asha’s smile widened. Her cws scraped along his shoulder as she darted back, bancing effortlessly on the balls of her feet.

  “Enough,” Era said sharply.

  Asha’s gaze lingered on Gideon a moment longer before she backed off, her tail flicking zily behind her.

  Gideon lowered Nyra. His pulse was steady. Asha’s gaze flicked toward him, amusement fshing in her blue eyes.

  “You didn’t say please,” Asha teased.

  Gideon’s gaze darkened. “Next time I won’t.”

  Asha’s smile sharpened. “I’m counting on it.”

  Era’s gaze cut toward Gideon. “You trust her?”

  “No,” Gideon said. His gaze lingered on Asha as she disappeared into the shadowed edge of the yard.

  “But I think I’m starting to understand her.”