"Frowning again, King Edmund?"
Edmund snarled with frustration as the familiar voice made him miss the log he was aiming for. He threw down his axe and turned around. His glare was black as thunder; the girl opposite him didn't even flinch.
"Don't frown, your face will stick," Liana's voice was still casual as she drifted inside the armory. Despite his fury, Edmund couldn't help but wonder at her. Dressed in dainty satin slippers, a thin white dress and a green sash around her waist marking her as a healer, she didn't look like she belonged anywhere near a weapon. And yet she didn't seem ill at ease to be a few feet away from a shirtless, sweaty and experienced swordsman.
Edmund gave her a withering stare, deciding to ignore her insult. "What are you doing here, Liana?"
Liana rolled her eyes. "Despite what you may think, I am not here to see you," she fluttered past him and went behind one of the rows of weapons that the centaurs kept meticulously organized. He heard her rummage around and let his curiosity get the better of him.
"What are you looking for?" he called out, fighting to keep his voice careless. Ever since that night last year, he had to work hard to remain aloof with her. He had a fair share of admirers in the court, but none of them got under his skin like she could.
He heard her laugh, causing him to frown. "I gave one of my daggers to the commander for sharpening and he said I could pick it up today."
"Orius doesn't let anyone touch his weapons."
"True," Liana drifted out of the mass of weapons and showed him a plain leather holster, large enough to fit a dagger not bigger than the one Peter usually ate dinner with. "But this is my weapon."
Edmund raised his eyebrows. "What does a healer want with a dagger?"
Liana rolled her eyes and walked towards him. Edmund folded his arms, his expression still skeptical. "Sometimes, after the patients are gone and I'm locking the Houses for the night, I often think of something," she said thoughtfully, tucking the weapon into her sash. She met his gaze and Edmund saw that her eyes were sparkling; she was annoyed.
For some reason, that made him happy. She deserved to be the one who was frustrated for a change. "I don't suppose there's any point in saying I don't want to hear it?" he asked, smirking as her eyebrow went up.
"Why would you think that there is no point?"
"Because you obviously love the sound of your own voice."
"Obviously," agreed Liana. She matched his stance and cocked her head to one side. "It amazes me how utterly defenseless you think I am, King Edmund."
Edmund snorted. "It's not very hard to think so, Liana."
She pursed her lips. Edmund shrugged at her defensive expression. Her next move was completely unexpected. Only his extensive swordsmanship made him block her arm as she raised it. He felt cool metal touch his skin and automatically grasped her wrist. It was more of a reflex than anything else. He knew Liana would never hurt him, and he had never taken her seriously with a weapon. But even he had to admit she had some skill. In the amount of time it had taken him to blink, Liana had removed the dagger from its holster and had it pressed to his Adam's apple, sharp side up. His eyes widened. She merely looked amused.
"Well, I suppose it's safe to say they did a very good job of sharpening it," her eyes twinkled as she raised her free hand and pried his fingers loose from her wrist. She patted his shoulder as she walked away. "Until tomorrow, King Edmund. Good night to you."
Edmund frowned as she walked away and wiped the sweat off his neck. His hand came back red. His eyes widened. "Liana!"
"Yes, Your Highness?" her voice floated towards him from near the door, betraying her suppressed laughter.
Edmund's lips twitched. Despite everything, he admired her spirit. "You could get arrested for what you just did," he kept his tone conversational, matching hers.
Her laughter filled the armory and bounced off the stone walls; Edmund doubted a woman's laugh had ever filled the building. "Keep some ice on it, Edmund, you'll survive the night," she laughed again. "And if you don't, I promise to turn myself in."
Edmund allowed himself to smile as he bent down and picked up his axe again. "It's King Edmund to you."
She laughed again. "Good night, King Edmund."
