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Okay, seriously, my suckiness is starting to piss me off.

“Your blade is an extension of your arm,” Des says, beginning to circle me. “You wouldn’t let someone cut off your hand—don’t let someone divest you of your weapon.”

I lunge for my fallen dagger, just barely missing another swipe of my mate’s weapon as I roll out of the way.

“Finally, my siren shows potential.”

“What I wouldgivefor you to be quiet,” I mutter. Much as I love his voice, there’s something particularly unpleasant about receiving instruction from someone you’re sleeping with.

“You would give me something?” Des says, looking intrigued. “Cherub, I’malwaysopen to that sort of bargain.”

Beyond Des, Malaki and Temper exit the palace, heading right for our training grounds. Never have I been so happy to see them. Surely this will get me out of training for the day.

The tip of Des’s blade is suddenly poking my breastbone, his silver eyes intense. “Don’t take your eyes off your enemy for a second.”

“Temper and Malaki are here,” I say, nodding to them.

“Good,” he says, not turning from me. “Perhaps you can impress them with your skill.”

“We’re not stopping?” Temper’s presence is a whole lot less welcome. I don’t want everyone and their mother watching my ass get handed to me. I sort of have a reputation to maintain. There are also the tatters of my dignity to consider. I’d like to keep those.

Over Des’s shoulder, I can just make out my friend giving Malaki fuck-me looks.

Des swipes my feet out from under me. I land on my hip, my weapons clattering out of my hands.

“Concentrate,” he growls.

You’d think for a dude who got repeatedly laid last night, he’d be in a slightly better mood.

I scramble for my daggers just as he kicks one out of the way.Screw this. Seriously.

“Callie!” Temper calls out, “I know you can give him better than that!”

I throw her a nasty look, but it’s a wasted one. She’s already moved on, leaning into Malaki and whispering something to him that makes him laugh. I’m pretty sure it’s at my expense too.

The Bargainer swats my butt with his weapon, making me instantly livid. “If you don’t like the way I talk to you, then show me.”

I grab my remaining dagger and lash out, the tip of my blade cutting through the leather covering Des’s calves. He pauses, his eyes flicking to the tear in his protective gear. A smile breaks out along his face.

“Well done!” he says, sliding his weapon back into its sheath. “I’ll make a warrior out of you yet.” He reaches for my hand. “Training’s officially over for the day.”

I give his hand a skeptical look before taking it, half thinking this is another trick. But it isn’t. Apparently, I get to finish training early if I make progress. Score.

“Aww, you guys are done already?” Temper asks, sauntering over with Malaki.

As if she even cares about me ending practice. She’s just bummed her impromptu date with the Lord of Dreams is coming to a swift end.

“Don’t look so sad, Temperance,” Des says. “I have plans for both of you.”

Both of us?

I flash him a quizzical look, my belly squeezing uncomfortably.

“You two will spend the day getting ready for Solstice.”

***

“I hate this,” Temper says to me.