“Then I promise not to control you.”

Lina considered her then, surprise and amusement battling in her expression. “You may not realize this, Briata Catullus, but you are the biggest threat in this palace right now. The farther you stay away from me, the safer I’ll be.”

Bri’s mouth fell open as Lina turned and marched away.

Chapter Eight

The training rings were located in the southern wing of the castle. Around the shrouds waving in the breeze flashed glimpses of sunlight and stunning ocean vistas. The Western Court was known for its golden sand beaches that stretched all along its coastline. Nothing like the craggy cliffs and stone beaches of the Eastern Court.

Bri’s parents spoke of the beaches incessantly, her mother decorating the windows with dried starfish and abalone shells. They said the sandbars were long enough you could walk out until you could barely see the shore. Such sandbars also meant that the coast wasn’t navigable for seafaring ships, which had to go to the trading posts in Silver Sands Harbor or Valtene at the borders for their sea trade. It made the West more cut off from the traded goods of Okrith, especially when Vostemur blocked the road to the High Mountain Court. Now, with the pass into the mountains clear, the West would pick up in trade again.

Bri didn’t think Lina could surprise her any more than she already had, but when the Princess walked in wearing the traditional Western battle garb, it felt like a punch to her gut. Her braids were tied back off her face, the golden beads clinking together as she moved. She’d removed her heavy jewelry, but delicate golden cuffs still adorned her ears. She was still royalty in every way. An intricately beaded neckline decorated her vest, which corseted under her bust down to her hips in thick leather that would be challenging to pierce. Her skirt swayed with strips of polished leather and Bri eyed the smooth brown skin that peeked out from her fitted undershorts and down to her boots.

Lina’s face dropped when she spotted Bri tucked into the alcove, waiting for her. “What are you doing here?”

“I’m here to train, just as you promised your cousin.” Bri flashed a predatory grin, knowing her presence would irk the Princess. “Plus, I’d like to see you wield that thing.” She nodded to the ceremonial battle-axe strapped to Lina’s back by a leather harness, a hook shaped like a ram’s skull holding it in place.

“I told you, I don’t need your protection,” Lina gritted out.

Bri unsheathed her sword and raised her eyebrows. “Care to prove it?”

Lina rolled her eyes. In the next second, she had unhooked her axe and was swinging it round to her front. Incredible was the speed with which she drew her weapon. Bri clenched her teeth together to keep her mouth from falling open. The way Lina’s cheeks dimpled told Bri the Princess knew she was impressed.

Bri looked anywhere but at Lina, nodding to the shrouds waving in the archways as she regained composure. “These come down soon?”