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I smiled back instantly, buoyed by his words. Icoulddo this.

Rafe volunteered to show off his skill next. He brought daggers. First, he went through a series of moves that showed his adeptness with them. Then, one of the targets was brought up from the training area and he sank his daggers into the middle of the target one after the other. When he was finished, he bowed at me. “It was my pleasure to show you my skills, Princess.” He smirked at this and winked. His blond hair sat stark against his sun-bronzed skin. He would lose all that glorious tan here in Pennsylvania if I chose him.

Calen MacDougall was next. He displayed his superior strength by picking up heavy objects and throwing them. He then asked for volunteers from the crowd to sit on chairs. He lifted a chair with one body each into the air. He was a giant. A respectful, friendly giant. He was impressive, both in his skill and his looks. To see a man standing there with two grown men sitting in chairs perched on his palms while he smiled at me wearing a kilt, I couldn’t get over it. There was the accent too, Scottish. It coated me in warmth whenever he spoke, the words dripping off me as if I were melting from mere sentences.

Kai went next. His weapon of choice originated from his island. I didn’t recognize it though it looked fierce. Both my mother and I sat up straighter as he wielded it with perfection. I could tell her interest as well as mine. I was sure she would also be asking him about his blade as well as I would.

Theo volunteered to go next. He used stakes. The Canadian clan caught me as one of formality. Though he wielded the stakes with strength and vigor, it made me wonder if he was skilled at any other weapons. Only time could tell that.

Overall, I was impressed with them so far.

Felix was last. He hesitated in his seat, and I wondered if he’d even come prepared at all. He seemed to be making up his mind about something as we waited for him to rise and approach our table.

A wicked glint struck his eyes. He rose and came forward, bowing his head a little at me though it was so small it could barely be called anything out of respect. “Would the Princess delight me in a sparring match?”

Papa Nic stood. “Are you calling out my daughter?”

My lips pulled back into a smile. Papa Nic could be as mad as he wanted to be, but this was perfect. “Excellent choice,” I said. I stood and frowned down at the dress. It was about to get ruined. Too bad because it had been so beautiful. I walked around to the front amid another round of gasps and whispers. Felix sure did like to rile the crowd up. “What a fine way to have us show off both our talents?”

Felix stepped back a few strides as I approached him. His eyes were wide and semi-panicked. “Princess…”

“What?” I asked. “Did you not think I would agree? We’re all fighters here. I’m sure you’re as adept as I am at sparring.” I gave him a wink.

Kai Iona stood from his chair, his lips pulled back into a snarl. Alexei rushed forward to stop him from interrupting. “Trust me,” he said to Kai. “All will be well.”

Kai grunted at him, but I had a feeling they might be good friends. Eventually.

“Do you not wish to get changed?” Felix asked.

“No need,” I assured him. “One of the ways we train here is to be ready for anything. If I cannot protect myself or my clan while wearing a dress, I wouldn’t be a very good queen someday, now would I?

Felix leveled a stare at me that only made me jump for joy inside. It was evident this was the last thing he expected to happen when he came up with the idea. His skill was talking. That much was clear. The talent could be useful in certain political situations. That I couldn’t help but think about.

He moved forward. “I do not wish to hurt you,” he said under his breath.

“Only to try to embarrass me in front of my clan?”

“I have questions.”

“Then you can ask them at some other time, Felix. For right now, we must spar.”

I pulled the skirt of my dress up and kicked out, hitting Felix with a solid kick to the midsection. He stumbled back a few feet before righting himself. The crowd stood. Felix looked around, his face morphing from one of concern to a bit of a bruised ego. He brought his fists up in front of him and dropped into a fighting stance.

“Isabelle,” my mother called out. I looked at her and she gave me a quick shake of the head.

I nodded at her. Don’t maim him, got it.

Felix and I circled one another. The skirt of the dress was cumbersome, but I dealt with it. It was too bad I rather enjoyed large skirts. If I ever had to defend myself in one of these things, it would make me slower. Internally, I wondered if I should go with a less fancy dress next time. Something with a smaller skirt, perhaps a shorter one too. Something easier to move in.

Felix kicked out, and I blocked it. I then threw his leg back at him. He hopped on his feet a few times before settling back down into his fighting stance. He lowered his hand. When I saw the opening, I went for it. I faked, then came up with a hook that glanced off his jaw. It would’ve been a full hit, but he moved just in time.

He moved away and touched his chin. A red mark was beginning to show. “Princess…” he said again.

“Now you want to give me respect?” I shook my head. “Too late.”

I beckoned him forward with my hands. His face hardened, and he came at me again. He was skilled, but I was too. We traded blows back and forth. There were times when both of us could’ve gotten the better of the other, but we stopped just in time. A true sparring match.

He came in at me, driving past my barriers until his foot knocked against my ankle. He smirked, showing me that he would’ve tripped me. I smiled back and gestured down to where I had a small blade pointed right at his testicles.