Lina stepped into the painted white circle on the floor. The room was vacant, the guards probably sent away so Lina could train in private. “Yes. We will burn my mother’s pyre on the bluff and say our prayers.” Her eyes darkened as she choked up on the grip of her axe. “And when I’m crowned, we’ll find who killed her and make them pay.”

“Good,” Bri said as her eyes swept over the Princess. “If you’re going to wear the fighting skirt, you need the sandals too.” Bri frowned at Lina’s ankle boots. “Otherwise half of your leg is exposed.”

Lina lifted her chin. “I move better in these.”

“Better enough to not need any protection?” Bri mused.

“Care to find out?” The faintest smirk pulled on Lina’s lips as she repeated Bri’s words.

Bri held up her sword with a grin and nodded. She made the first move, stepping in toward Lina and sweeping her blade downward at half her normal speed. In a flash, Lina closed the gap, the butt of her axe colliding with Bri’s side, knocking the air out of her as Lina’s elbow collided with her jaw. Bri stumbled backward, raising her sword just in time to block the heavy axe coming down upon her. She held the block, looking down at the Princess with wide eyes.

Lina’s white teeth glistened as she smiled at Bri’s surprised reaction. She knew Bri would underestimate her, and Bri had fallen straight into her trap.

“Care to show me how vulnerable I am?” Lina asked, lowering her weapon and stepping back into the circle.

That smile made Bri’s stomach flip, and she clenched her jaw. Now was not the time.

Bri rolled her shoulders. “Again.”

Delta had trained Lina well. The Captain had always been the most evenly matched opponent to Bri in every sense—a family trait, it seemed.

Bri didn’t hold back this time as she launched herself at Lina. The Princess blocked her first three strikes with a shocking ease, considering the weight of the axe she wielded. The muscles in her broad shoulders and arms flexed with each blow. Her rounded figure belied these powerful muscles underneath. Lina was a lioness masquerading as a house cat.

Bri pivoted, feinting left and then lunging right, and turned her sword just before its width smacked into Lina’s calf.

“Got you.” She was about to smile at her victory when she spotted the blade of Lina’s axe hovering mere inches from her neck.

“And I would have taken you down with me,” Lina panted, looking at the blade nearly touching Bri’s skin. “I might even survive without a foot, but would you survive without a head?”

“Wouldn’t it be better to not have to make such choices?” Bri watched warily as Lina lowered her axe, leaning on the handle as she caught her breath.

“I will try the sandals.” Lina conceded, running her eyes down Bri’s muscled legs. “Or maybe leather trousers would be better . . . though it is not our traditional garb.”