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I HAD A DREAM. A memory, that had always seemed so distant. As if it was in an alternate world, an alternate universe. A life I used to have at the Little Palace. I believe it was because I sparred with Tamar, two days ago, that I had this particular dream.
Sweat beads my forehead as the heat is unrelenting. But nothing else matters when I spar with Nikolai. My focus is all on him and his movements.
This was the day before he left. Right after he gave me a ring.
I counter his attack but he was undeterred, instead, grinning at me in that same annoying but endearing way. But with a little sadness in his eyes. Like he had broken a promise.
But I try to ignore that.
Nikolai and I like to incorporate hand-to-hand combat with our sword training. Botkin approves of course.
I always tended to watch his clever hazel eyes when we duel. Always calculating and anticipating. I know he sees the same gaze mirrored in my eyes. But the difference between our glance is that, he is always calculating. He is the Too-Clever Fox after all.
I disarm Nikolai after a quick twist around the hand that he wields his sword.
I wipe the sweat off my forehead using the back of my hand. "You're inattentive today. Sloppy even."
He smiles and answers lightly, "I'm always sloppy against Ravka's best assassin."
"Don't flatter me," I say, genuinely annoyed that he is hiding something.
I take a long swig of water and offer the flask to him, but he refuses. I sigh and recap it, facing the other direction from him.
He catches me off guard, sliding his arms around my waist. An embrace. But his arms places precariously around me. The moment is so fragile, if I move, it would break. Nikolai has never held me before. I wonder why he choses to do so now.
