Aric met Lady Evelyne Blackthorne's golden gaze without flinching.
She was beautiful, with that much there could be no doubt — but there was something dangerous about her poised elegance. An edge in her gaze, familiar to someone accustomed to the long game.
He smirked. Another predator.
Selene, standing just behind him, fidgeted. "Evelyne," she said warily. "To what do we owe the pleasure?"
Aric, Evelyne barely glanced over at her. "Oh, Selene, darling. You don't have to be so defensive." Her lips curled in amusement. "I just wanted to see the man who believes, if you will, that he could upset the balance of power in our lovely kingdom."
Aric chuckled. "And why do you assume I want to disrupt anything?"
Evelyne cocked her head and stepped closer. "Because men like you don't cross a noble court without purpose. And you don't break a knight in front of the Duke unless you're sending a message."
She pursed her lips and tapped a dainty finger against them, as if thinking. "Now we have to ask ourselves… are you reckless, or are you dangerous?"
Aric rose to her challenge with a breezy smirk. "And which would you prefer?"
Her eyes gleamed. "That really does depend on how fast you can keep "up.
Evelyne pivoted and strode into the open courtyard without checking to see if Aric followed.
Selene said quietly to herself. "This is a bad idea."
Aric chuckled. "I love bad ideas."
He trailed after Evelyne through the castle hallways, ignoring the nobles peering out at him and whispering as he passed. Before long they were walking into a private training ground, tucked away beyond marble columns and tall hedges.
The armed warriors unsheathing their blades were sparring among the space, but upon Evelyne's arrival, they abruptly halted and made way.
She looked back over her shoulder at Aric. "I take it you have no objection to earning your keep once more?"
Aric rolled his shoulders. "Depends on the challenge."
Evelyne snapped her fingers. One of the warriors who waited — a man whose body was a fortress of dark armor — took a step forward.
"This is Ser Alric Fenros," she said. "One of my best swordsmen."
Ser Alric drew a large claymore, and the steel gleamed in the afternoon light. His face betrayed no emotion, yet his stance spoke of discipline and experience.
"Well, if you're as powerful as they say," Evelyne continued, "then this shouldn't be a problem."
Aric smirked. "And if I refuse?"
Evelyne arched a brow. "Then I'll take it that the rumors were… exaggerated."
Selene sighed behind him. "She's baiting you."
Aric laughed. "Of course she is." He stepped forward anyway. "I like bait."
As soon as the fight started, Ser Alric was in motion.
The knight was fast, despite being massive. He covered the distance in an instant and smashed the ground down with his titanic blade.
But Aric had already seen it all coming.
He sidestepped the man's thrust, allowing the blade to slice through empty space before twisting on his heel and driving an elbow into the knight's rib cage.
Ser Alric barely flinched.
Instead, he used the force to sweep the claymore in a vicious arc.
Aric ducked; the edge passed inches over his head. He went back and looked at his opponent.
Stronger than Reynard. More experienced. But still too predictable.
Aric's smirk widened. "That all you got?"
Ser Alric's eyes darkened. He charged forward again, but this time, Aric did not move.
He allowed the knight to get close — too close — then abruptly turned behind him in a flash of speed.
Ser Alric had barely time to resist when Aric slapped a palm against his back.
A shockwave exploded outward.
The knight was flung, slamming into the stone supports with an almighty clang.
The courtyard fell silent.
Evelyne's lips opened a little. Not in fear. In fascination.
Ser Alric groaned, trying to lift himself. Aric approached, crouching next to him.
"You're a good fighter," he said quietly. "But you depend on weight and power too much. You were dead already the minute you thought I'd play fair."
He offered his hand.
Ser Alric let out a grunt a moment later and accepted it, letting Aric yank him back to his feet.
Evelyne clapped, slowly and with intention.
"Well," she said, advancing toward me. "That was… impressive."
Aric smirked and dusted his sleeve. "I aim to please."
A flicker of something unreadable sparked in her golden eyes. "Then perhaps we should talk. In private."
Selene groaned. "Oh, for gods' sake…"
Evelyne laughed. "Don't worry, dear. I don't bite."
Her gaze slid back to Aric. "Unless asked."