A Song of Ice & Shadow

Part 18

Sighing, she took a deep breath before opening the door.

Azriel stood there, his shadows subtly shifting behind him. "You're awake?"

Y/n narrowed her eyes, leaning against the doorframe. "Were you hoping I wasn't?"

He huffed a soft laugh. "No- I just wanted to tell you that I won't be here to train with you for the next few days."

She tilted her head slightly, studying him. "You're not running away from me, are you?"

Another quiet chuckle. "No. I wouldn't dream about it. Something came up."

Y/n gave him a knowing look. "I understand. Happy spying."

"Good luck with Cass."

Her brows furrowed. "Why?"

Azriel smirked. "I might have heard he's going to give you a hard time tomorrow."

She groaned. "That arrogant asshole."

His smirk widened slightly. "I'll see you around."

—-

Y/n gritted her teeth as she dropped to one knee, panting heavily. "Alright, I admit, I need to work on my stamina, but you don't have to go this hard on me."

Cassian barely looked winded. He smirked, stretching his arms. "We haven't even started yet."

She scowled as he effortlessly demonstrated another set of grueling exercises.

"Alright, alright, I get it. You're a big, muscled warrior and this is nothing to you... showoff." She sneered, standing up with a groan.

Cassian grinned, clearly enjoying her struggle. "I'm glad you think so."

Y/n rolled her eyes. "Are you punishing me for skipping yesterday's exercises?"

Cassian's smirk turned wicked. "Possibly."

Suspicion flickered across her face. "Wait... don't tell me it's because I actually trained without you."

"I'll stop this torture if you agree to spar with me once."

Y/n narrowed her eyes. "Ah, so you can beat my ass and never let me hear the end of it? No thanks."

"I'll go easy on you."

She snorted. "That's even worse. But mark my words, the day I spar with you, I'm going to defeat you."

Cassian's grin widened. "Confidence, I like that."

"And your arrogance is going to be the reason you will lose to me." She winked at him.

He barked out a laugh. "We'll see."

—

"How's Cassian treating you?" Azriel asked, watching her carefully.

Y/n wiped the sweat from her brow. "He's being the usual prick he is."

His lips twitched. "I see. But at least your stamina is better. You lasted longer than last time."

She shot him a glare.

"Can I ask you something without you getting defensive?"

She hesitated. "Depends on the question."