Chapter twenty five
The clang of metal echoed in my ears long after Damian and Luca had sheathed their swords. My victory, a sweet but unexpected one, hung heavy in the air. A thrill of satisfaction coursed through me, a counterpoint to the gnawing anxiety that had been twisting my insides for days.
"See, Luca?" I said, a triumphant smile playing on my lips. "I told you I could handle myself."
Luca, his usual stoic demeanor replaced by a hint of amusement, bowed his head in mock submission. "Indeed, Lady Annie. You've proven yourself a formidable opponent." His gaze flickered to Damian, who was still staring at me with a mixture of surprise and something else I couldn't quite decipher.
"So," I continued, my voice carefully neutral, "shall we get back to our… lessons?"
Damian cleared his throat, his eyes finally meeting mine. "Annie," he began, his voice laced with a hint of urgency, "there's something we need to discuss."