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“I remember.” She seemed to recover from her initial shock. “I just didn’t think we’d start right away.”

Strike while the iron is hot. “No time like the present.”

Her mouth opened. Then closed. Indecision played over her features.

What would Fergus do?

Easy. He’d act like she already agreed.

“You should probably change. The training room’s at the end of the hall. Make a left outside your door and don’t stop until you reach the suit of armor. I’ll meet you inside.” With that, I turned and strode off, a heady sense of victory pumping through me. Was this how Fergus felt all the time? No wonder he never shut up.

But it remained to be seen whether resorting to his tactics would work for me.

Ten minutes later, I got my answer when Halina walked into the training room.

I shot up from the weight bench I’d been sitting on, my stomach instantly knotting with nerves.

She plucked at her hot pink tank top. “Is this all right? I wasn’t sure what to wear.”

“Aye,” I said, my voice emerging as little more than a rasp. “It’s perfect.” It was a damn sight more than that, actually. “Moisture-wicking” was what they called that material, and it was designed for performance rather than sex appeal. But it was sexy as hell on her, as were the black leggings that hugged her ass and thighs. She’d pulled her long hair into a ponytail, and the brilliant strands swayed as she flashed a self-conscious smile.

“The color probably clashes with my hair.”

“Not in the least.” She’d look stunning in a brown paper bag. Or nothing at all.

Color bloomed in her cheeks. “I guess appearance doesn’t matter in a fight.”

I relaxed. Because this was a subject I understood. “On the contrary, lass, it can be the difference between a win or a loss.” I swept my arms back and forth in front of my body, warming up.

“Really? How so?”

“A good warrior uses everything at his”—I smiled—“or her disposal. Most males are dense as bricks when faced with a pretty woman. You can capitalize on that. Distract them and get close enough to make a strike.”

She gave me a skeptical look. “I think I’d rather just learn how to kick a male’s ass.”

Surprise flared in my mind, but perhaps it shouldn’t have. She’d arrived in the Highlands cowed and frightened, but she was quickly showing that wasn’t her natural state of being. Grinning, I motioned her toward a mat in the center of the room. “We can do that, too, lass.”

She moved to the mat, her expression wary. “All right, but I have to warn you, I have no idea what I’m doing.”

“You’re too hard on yourself. I guarantee I’ve had far worse pupils.”

* * *

An hour later, I was certain Halina was the worst pupil I’d ever had. Her reaction time was poor, her footwork was nonexistent, and she had a tendency to telegraph her punches.

Not that she managed to land any.

I frowned as we circled each other on the mat. “For the last time, lass, keep your thumb on the outside of your hand. If you tuck it in like that you’re going to break it.”

“Sorry.” She pushed a strand of hair off her sweaty face. “I forgot.”

I beckoned her forward. “Not a problem. Now, try to hit me.”

She nodded, then continued circling. After a few seconds, she darted a look at my midsection and lunged forward.

I dodged the blow with ease. “Missed. Stop looking at your target before you attack.”

“I didn’t!”