Ruined - Amy Tintera Page 0,52

knot and hung down her cheek. The pink in her cheeks. The sound of her breath.

She spun when he almost touched the sword to her chest, and he lifted his eyebrows, impressed. She grinned.

He ducked as she lunged at him again, the blade barely missing his head. He darted around and grabbed her hand, spinning her into his chest. He held down her arm as he lifted his blade to her throat. She gasped, snapping her head to the right. He could feel her sucking air in and out of her lungs against him, and her arm was warm and soft beneath his fingers. Her dark eyes burned into his, lighting up like they were on fire. He found himself staring at her lips, wishing he knew what they felt like on his.

“Should we leave?”

Iria’s voice snapped him out of his trance, and he quickly released Mary. Her gaze was downcast, and she was rubbing the spot where he’d touched her arm.

“Apologies, Your Highness,” Iria said. Somehow she always managed to make “Your Highness” seem like an insult. “Clearly you have nothing to be embarrassed about. When it comes to sword fighting, that is.”

He gave her an amused look. “Thank you, I think.”

“I think I’d like to spar with you more often,” Mary said. “You’re better than Iria.”

“I’m standing right here,” Iria said.

“You know he’s better than you,” Mary said with a laugh. She focused on him again, a hint of a challenge in her expression. “I think he’s used to being better than everyone.”

“Galo often gives it a very good shot,” he said, unable to keep a smile off his face. “Would you like to go again?”

“Absolutely.”

SEVENTEEN

EM PULLED THE door shut behind her as she exited her rooms, the sound echoing down the hallway. Her dress caught under her heel, and she yanked it free with a little more force than was necessary.

Iria appeared around the corner, her gaze falling to the rip Em had just created at the hem of her dress. “What did that dress ever do to you?” she asked with a hint of amusement.

Em wasn’t in the mood to be amused. It had been several days since her visit to Damian, and she hadn’t even been able to talk to the king once. He just brushed her off every time she approached him.

“Most of the ships have already left Olso,” Iria said under her breath as they walked down the hallway. “The Ruined are on board.”

Em’s heart jumped into her throat. “How much longer do I have?” She hadn’t found out where Olivia was yet. It was a delicate balance, finding a way to bring up Olivia without casting suspicion on herself.

“They’re almost here. But you still have several days, at least. A week, maybe.”

Even if she couldn’t find a way to stealthily get the information, perhaps she could just torture it out of the king or queen during the attack. It would serve them right, after what they were doing to Damian.

They rounded the corner. Koldo and Benito stood outside the Ocean Room. Koldo was speaking animatedly, grinning at Benito as if the latter was supposed to be impressed by his story. Benito managed to lift one eyebrow.

Em stopped next to them, leaning over to peer through the open door. No one had arrived at the meeting yet.

Cas rounded the corner, and Em quickly ducked into the meeting room so he wouldn’t see her near the warriors.

She took a seat and glanced over her shoulder as he walked into the room. His lips turned up when their eyes met.

He likes you, Iria had said to her a few days ago. More than likes you. He looks at you as if he’s falling in love with you.

Em swallowed down a wave of guilt. Cas probably didn’t love her. He liked her, maybe, but love? No. Surely not.

The guilt clawed through her chest and into her throat, making it hard to breathe. She didn’t know what was worse—that he liked her, or that she was pretty sure she felt the same way.

The warriors entered the room, followed shortly after by the queen and Jovita. The king came in a few minutes later and grabbed the trade agreement from Iria without so much as a “good morning.”

“I’ll discuss it with my advisers,” he said after a moment.

“They’re not coming this morning?” Iria asked.

“No.” He didn’t offer any further explanation. “You can go. That’s all for today.”

The warriors couldn’t hide their surprise, but they all stood without comment.

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