He rolled his eyes. “Sadly, it’s a step up from the days when she used to throw me on the ground, sit on me, and fart. If you ever wondered where Darice gets his finer manners, I swear Dimie swapped wombs with Dariana.”

“Oh joy. I can’t wait to meet her.” Sumi’s humor died as Hauk led her into the living room and she came under the scathing glare of an extremely tall, gorgeous Andarion who made her feel like the twisted underbelly of a torna.

“Dancer!” When Fadima took a step toward him, his grandmother pulled her back.

“Our princess, Fadima.” She fell into a low bow.

Fadima followed suit. “Forgive me, Highness.”

Uncomfortable, Sumi bit her lip and glanced at Dancer, who seemed to be enjoying this a little too much. “Please, rise. It’s fine.”

Dancer squeezed her hand to let her know that she didn’t need to be nervous. “To what do I owe this honor, Yaya?”

His grandmother pulled the black, rectangle case from her shoulder and knelt on the floor with it. Fadima knelt beside her while his grandmother unzipped it to expose his family’s Warsword.

Sumi gasped at the weapon that was centuries old and in perfect condition. It looked as if it’d just been forged. Never had she seen anything more beautiful. And it was with the blade of that sword that Andaria had been saved.

The sacredness of it wasn’t lost on her.

Solemnly, Dancer fell to his knees and motioned for Sumi to do the same. With great ceremony, his grandmother pulled out a pair of thick black leather gloves and placed them on her hands. Then she handed a similar pair to Sumi.

“The blade is sharper than any you’ve ever held, Highness,” his grandmother explained. “For that reason, gloves should be worn at all times when you handle it, and especially when you fight with it.”

Sumi bowed her head respectfully. “I will always take care.”

His grandmother sat back while Sumi covered her hands. “My husband’s honorable mother bestowed the great Warsword into my stewardship on the tenth year of our unification. Menser of the Warring Blood Clan of Hauk was one of the greatest heroes of his generation. A decorated warrior, he never knew defeat in battle. To the day he drew his last breath, I couldn’t believe my fortune in having a husband so noble. He fed this great Warsword the blood of many enemies. But alas, she has remained famished for many years now as I waited for the right Andarion to again wield her in battle.”