Her foot slipped and she fell. Curling herself in, she rolled and got up, blocking a strike Akoro had lunged forward to make, the clatter of their wooden sticks cracking across the grounds.

She blinked up at him and then darted away. Arousal. That delicious thick arousal was in his scent again. She didn't have time to think about it because he charged at her again. Naya fought back but she was distracted. Her reactions were too slow, her mind scattered. She needed to focus.

Breathing deeply, she forced Akoro into her favorite sequence, sinking into the focus that allowed her to be wild, vicious, and precise with her skill. Her mind returned to the cool numbness that she used in her morning sequences, and immediately her precision improved. She drove Akoro back with a series of furiously quick strikes, and finally the end of her rod drove into his knee.

He roared as she spun away, and his wooden rod brushed along her torso. She darted back and slammed her rod down on the nerve in the middle of his forearm. His hand spasmed and he dropped his stick.

Naya spun away and stopped. They stared at each other, both panting.

Grasps and exclaims came from across the roof but she barely heard them.

Akoro's eyes were wild. "If that had been a blade, I would have cut you," he bellowed, pointing to his rod.

"Yes, but it wouldn’t be fatal," Naya said, gasping for breath. She pointed to the ground with her rod. “Whereas if mine had been real, you’d be bleeding out right here, and another warrior would come along to slit your throat.”

Akoro’s fists clenched, his whole body stiff his breath heavy.

Only then did Naya allow herself a small smile, but it disappeared when she realized they’d had an audience. His council had arrived at some point.

Nrommo stormed over and took the wooden rod from Naya. "My king," he said, clearly struggling to keep his voice even. "This was unwise."

Akoro ignored him, stepping toward Naya, that Alpha pride and curiosity deepening in his dark eyes.

Naya glared up at him, amusement in hers. She’d beaten him twice now—knocked him on his ass and had almost managed to kill him, and now disarmed him in front of his precious council. Who isn’t keeping up to their people’s standards now? She didn't back away as he came close, but stared up at him, defiance brightening her veins.

Akoro looked at Nrommo. “Why are you all here?” he said irritably. “I thought I dismissed you.”

Nrommo lifted his hands, as though in disbelief. “It’s lur ennen.”

Akoro grunted. Turning back to Naya he said, “This afternoon you will tell us all about you and your status. Everything. You may have lur ennen to think about all relevant information.”

“Have… what?”

He gestured to Prillu and made his way to the door.

All of the council regarded Naya curiously as they climbed the stairs back up to the battle room. All except the healer, who grinned at her as though he was delighted about what she’d done. She couldn't help but give him a small smile in response.

Prillu gestured to follow her down a different corridor from the rest of the group, and Naya followed. The sundial in the corridor read that quite a few hours had passed, so maybe this was their lunch time.

“Are you going to escort me to and from the battle room every day?" Naya asked as they arrived at her bedroom.

Prillu had been quiet on the way, and Naya could feel tension rolling off her.

Instead of answering, she said, "You will eat all your meals in your room.” She gestured to the door. "Meiro will bring them to you. You will eat alone. Lur ennen lasts two hours during the hottest part of the day. Meiro will bring you as much liquid as you require to rehydrate, whether it be water or tmae. No alcohol will be provided.” She spoke stiffly and formally, her back straight. “Traditionally, we eat first and then relax, sometimes nap. Parchment and ink can be provided if you wish to jot things down in preparation for returning to the zmola."

Naya stepped inside her room and turned to face her, both of either side of the doorway. "Thank you," she said carefully. "You seem upset with me."

Prillu said nothing for a long moment. "You are a prisoner here," she said finally, her voice cool. "If I have come across to you friendly in the past, that was simply my training. There are no diplomatic agreements that can be made between our cultures. That isn't what's happening here. I am not your ally or your friend or your way to find out about this land so you can betray us later.”

"I cannot betray you if I was never allied with you," Naya shot back. "I have made an agreement with your… zmola, and although I’ve had difficulty adjusting to my new position as your reluctant informant, I intend to protect my people as much as I can, and as long as I can."

Prillu inclined her head. "I'm glad to hear that. That still does not mean that we are on friendly terms."

"What has changed that?" Naya asked, her own voice becoming cooler. "Have you suddenly realized I’m not a pretty little princess but an actual warrior who can disarm a man?"

Prillu bristled instantly but said nothing.

Naya eyed her. "Surely that's not the first time you’ve seen him disarmed?"

Prillu inhaled sharply, her chest expanding as she shot Naya a dark look. "At the end of lur ennen, I will return for you.” She turned and stalked away.

Naya watched her go. Interesting. It couldn’t be possible they’d never seen Akoro disarmed. He was a good fighter, but no one experienced in battle hadn’t had their weapon fly out of their hand a few times. It had something to do with her being the one to do it.

One of the guards reached for the door and pulled it in, the lock activating as soon as it closed. Naya sighed and wandered into the room to find another tray of food left for her.

The tmae from this morning was still there and still cool, so she tipped it up and finished the liquid inside it. A portion of grilled meat had been served with a stew of onions and a type of legume. It smelled good, but Naya didn't have an appetite.

She sat by the lattice window under the balcony watching the city. As the hour passed, it slowed to a stop. Nothing moved in the streets, so there was nothing for her to look at. The heat in her room intensified—it was bearable, but definitely noticeable. If her room was generally cool, she couldn't imagine how hot it must be outside. Drowsiness seeped into her body and muddled her thoughts. She lay down on the bed to rest for a moment, only to find Meiro shaking her awake.

Meiro straightened her clothing, tutting at how wrinkled they’d become, and then handed her a small cup of the potent-smelling, gold liquid. By the time she stepped outside the door to meet Prillu, she felt refreshed.

CHAPTER TWENTY

When she entered the strategy room after lunch, Prillu walked in with her and positioned herself behind the table.

Akoro stood further down the table on the right-hand side. Prillu gestured to the chair opposite her at the table. There was no one else in the room this time, just a wooden tablet and sheets of parchment on the table.

"Explain your titles," Prillu said as Naya sat down.

Naya blinked. "My titles?"

"Yes." Prillu her large eyes watching every movement Naya made. "You have a very impressive set of titles. Explain them."

"All right, but I think they are self-explanatory."

"Maybe to you.”

"I am Princess Nayara Andaus⁠—"

“Your family name is Andaus?"

"Yes."

"Continue," Prillu said.