"This isn't so hard." The practice sword I held cut through the crisp morning air until striking dirt. As if punishing me for my words, the blade sunk deeper than I expected, refusing to come loose without effort.
"You're a natural," Harlow said, a smile threatening to bloom as he stopped his own training to watch me struggle. There was no hint of sarcasm in the compliment, and yet I found myself narrowing my eyes at my overly proper guardsman.
With two hands and a grunt, I pulled my sword back up, letting the dull blade rest on my shoulder before swinging again, but this time I aimed for Harlow.
He did not draw his weapon, merely taking a step back to avoid my attack. "Princess---" The amusement in his eyes dampened the thread of warning in his tone. "Put that down. Someone might see."
Unlikely. The training grounds were empty at this hour, the hour the kingsguard were served breakfast. It felt unnatural---being out of bed before the air had warmed, while the grass was still wet with dew.
"You drag me out here at this unsaintly hour and expect me to just sit and watch?" I smirked, dropping my weapon to undo the blue ribbon that bound my hair . Harlow blinked as loose, wavy strands fell across my shoulders. I raised the heavy folds of my dress to my thigh, tying the ribbon around the bunched fabric so my legs could move more freely. "I don't think so. Teach me something."
Harlow paused, and he scanned the expanse of empty grass we stood on, looking up at the towers in the distance, the ones with many windows. "I shouldn't."
"Why?" I challenged, hoisting my sword back into position. "Afraid of little ole me?"
He raised his brows high, soaking in the sight of me. Finally, a smile tugged at his full lips. "Terrified."
The way he uttered the word like a confession, I could have sworn he truly meant it. The way it sent a thrill into the pit of my stomach, I could have sworn I liked the idea.
"Good," I said quickly, not giving myself time to fluster. I swung at him without mercy. "Take this!"
My weapon froze mid-swing, as if I had struck solid stone. I gasped. Harlow's hand gripped the blade, brought it to a clean and sudden halt before it could land a blow. My breath hitched at how easily he thwarted my attack, and I stopped breathing altogether when he tugged at the blade, bringing me a step closer.
"Take this?" he quoted, nose wrinkling in mock distaste. "Your first lesson should be how to properly intimidate an opponent."
My face grew hot, and the way Harlow's attention went to my cheeks, I knew they were bright red. "You cheated," I breathed.
His smile grew wider. "You insult my honor, Princess," he replied, releasing my sword. "You forfeited the rules of sparring when you swung at an unarmed man."
I blew the hair from my eyes. "You have two arms."
He laughed. Louder than usual. I enjoyed the way his shoulders shook, savored the creases created in his face every time he allowed me to hear the sweet sound.
"Sir Harlow," I said in a coy voice, "if you're not careful, others might hear you laughing, and I quite like keeping such treasures to myself."
Just like that, it was his turn to blush. "Pick up your sword," he said. "I will teach you basic form."
"You will?" I beamed, obeying eagerly.
He nodded. "Everyone should know how to protect themselves if needed. I'm sure even your father couldn't argue that." He gave me a quick glance up and down, the color deepening on his face. "And besides, you look rather nice wielding a weapon."
