Blood Revenge

Chapter 24

I got to the field and secured adummy to start working on my sword work. A few blows in, Stefanapproached. "Want a partner?"

"Always," I flipped my swordin my hand artfully. "I could always use a real dummy to practiceon." I took a defensive stance as Stefan pulled his sword with agrin.

"This takes me back." Hesmirked, mirroring my stance.

We went at each other, sparringlightly as I said, "We spent a lot of hours on this field."

"I can tell you still do," hejoked as I tapped my sword against his arm indicating if this were areal battle, he would have lost it.

"You know me, I never miss achance to practice." I spun as he swiped downward, halting just shyof my shoulder. "No good."

"You're like an artist on thebattlefield." He smiled.

"I learned from the best." Hedanced out of my reach and countered, his sword coming to rest at myneck where my original scar from Reif still marred my skin. He tappedlightly. One, one... tie.

We backed away, starting over."You know, Ana, I don't regret anything that's happened. We hadsome rough times, you and I..." our swords connected, creating aspark as his blade slid down mine and they smacked at the hilts,getting tangled. It brought him inches from me. "But there weresome really good times, too."

His proximity and the weight ofour conversation fell on me. I pushed against his sword, trying todislodge it. His blue eyes bored deep into my heart as he pushedback. I kept my composure, trying not to panic when his knucklesbrushed against mine. Finally, I cocked my elbow upward, nearlytaking his hand off when our swords slipped apart and I stumbledbackward. I'd thought long ago that I'd gotten over theattraction my body had always felt toward Stefan. That deep seededsomething that always drew us together. I let my arm fall, as westudied each other, both trying to gauge where the other stood. Icouldn't fight him with my sword. Someone was going to get hurt. Iopened my hand, letting it thump into the grass. Stefan tossed hissword aside as well, as I took a fighting stance. "I need you to behonest with me Stefan," I said as we began trading blows. "Lúthiel,Beriima... was it ever... is it real for you?"

"Honestly, Lúthiel, she was aconvenient distraction. Beriima, she is different. We have Henry andit makes loving her easier, but the unequivocal truth... It'salways you, Ana," he confessed.

I had no other way to expresswhat I was feeling. Words weren't enough. I slapped two of hisswings out of my way, like I was swatting flies and then I swunghard, connecting with his face once, twice, three times then lashingout at his arms as he grabbed my wrists and pulled me close again."Don't," I pleaded.

"What's the matter, Ana?"he teased gruffly, his breath brushing my cheek.

I gritted my teeth, fighting mybody and wrenched out of his grasp. "That's the differencebetween us," I growled, picking up my sword and shoving it angrilyinto its sheath. "For you, the others were a distraction. For me,you'rethe distraction."

I pushed past him and toward thecastle. Reif! Icalled out, biting back the angry tears. Where'sAnders?

He didn't answer and I gave hima moment to track Anders. Heis in the library. What is the matter, Stasia. I can taste youranger.

I'll explain later, Ipromise. Right now, I need to blow off some steam.

He let it go, sending me a pat onthe back as I made a beeline for the library. I found Anders aloneand I snuck in, pulling the door closed with a slam. He jumped up,dropping the book he was reading. Before he could say anything, Ireached him and threw myself at him, kissing him roughly. Hissurprise caused him to pull away, holding me by the shoulders. Hestudied my face closely, seeing the anger, sadness and impracticalguilt. "Blimey, I left you alone for ten minutes, what happened?"he asked.