Celaena knew, just from the way Rowan was watching her, that he wasn't thinking about her in a purely platonic way.
She giggled. He was trying so hard to hide it, too. She could see his mixed emotions written all over his face.
Awww... She'd have to help him soon. Or else he might just drive himself mad.
But first, they'd have a little fun.
After their run, she made her way to the sparring chambers with Rowan trailing behind. It had been too long since she'd held a good, strong sword in her hands. Picking up a gold-handled rapier, she tossed it back and forth for a while, feeling the power flood back into her hands and arms.
She strolled over to Rowan and nodded her head towards the weapons. Challenging him. She knew the proud bastard wouldn't turn it down.
But strangely enough, he shook his head.
"I'm not fighting you in that measly little animal form. Shift, Celaena, and then it'll be a fair match."
She pouted. "But I like my human body, Rowan."
"So do I. But I don't fight humans, I fight Fae."
So do I! He had admitted that he liked her body! Oh, this was just too good to pass up.
She turned her back to him, curling inward to channel her energy safely. A burning sensation spread from her lower back to her toes, as her legs thinned and lengthened, and her feet became small and sensitive. A milky, watery feeling trickled up to her head, and she felt her fingertips awaken with nerves, her ears meld into elven points, her teeth sharpen into canine daggers. Her entire brain seemed shifted. She could hear Rowan's breathing behind her with extreme acuteness.
She smiled, baring those pointed teeth. She had been called many things in the past: assassin, Fae, magic, fire-breathing bitch-queen. But goddamnit, she was back, and she was ready to fight.
Twisting around, she bowed low and grinned, noticing Rowan's adoring gaze at her beautiful Fae form. Tossing her rapier from hand to hand, she said, "Are you ready now, you pompous bastard?"
He started like a dog, and slowly drew his eyes up to hers.
"Yes."