Page 70 of A Court of Thralls and Thorns

The black shirt underneath clung to his form, outlining every tight, defined muscle.

I forced myself to look away.

“Then you can practice your hand-to-hand skills,” he said, casually tossing his jacket to the ground. “I’ll even let you use the dagger currently hidden in your boot—as well as the one tucked into the back of your pants.”

Shit.

We circled each other, my boots scuffing lightly against the stone, the wind whipping at our clothes.

I lunged first, testing his reflexes with a quick jab, but he caught my wrist effortlessly, twisting it just enough to force me to retreat.

Fine.

I tried again—this time faster, aiming for his ribs.

He shifted just out of reach, his body moving with that unnatural grace I was starting to hate.

“You’re hesitating,” he murmured.

“You’re annoying,” I shot back.

He smirked.

My temper flared.

I went for his legs next, sweeping my foot toward his ankles in an attempt to knock him off balance.

He jumped over it.

For a moment, I was wide open—and he took full advantage, stepping forward too fast, catching my shoulder with a sharp elbow.

I staggered back, barely catching myself before my spine could meet the stone floor.

He exhaled, unimpressed. “Is this what Solei taught you?”

I snarled. I had no idea how he knew about Solei. But assumed Cyran had included a brief family history… when he agreed to sell me.

I ripped the dagger from my boot, flipping it effortlessly in my grip before lunging at him full force.

He blocked the first attack, but barely.

His expression shifted. He was pleased.

And that pissed me off even more.

I spun, slicing toward him in a tight arc, but he ducked. I adjusted, striking low, aiming for the soft space beneath his ribs, but he twisted, catching my wrist again.

This time, I didn’t let him hold it.

I used the momentum to shove forward, throwing my weight into him.

The force of it sent us both stumbling.

And suddenly, I was too close to the edge.

The wind howled, the drop behind me endless.

My stomach plunged.