Zakarus slowed his pace when he reached the outside of two large wooden doors.

"Stop running away, Koman," Irina's voice called with the teasing tone that made Shaed growl.

Zak smirked on hearing the familiar sound.

"Suzerain," the young guard bowed, opening the door.

"How has it gone?" Zakarus leaned to look inside.

"Suzera Irina fights with a passion that Koman Sutter matches."

Zakarus nodded at the political correctness of his statement, observing the battle in progress. Irina stood in pants, smirking at Shaed. When they were younger, he would find her bartering a stolen bottle of whisky for three pairs in the morning before everyone awoke. Then she would use another bottle of whisky to get them laundered three days later.

"Where did she obtain the pants?" Zakarus asked.

"Suzera Irina—"

Zakarus mentally stocked his favorite bottles. "Did she bring a bottle of whisky?"

"No, Suzerain. Suzera Irina is a lady who would never do such a thing," the guard scoffed with a rising, confused tone at Suzerain Zakarus' snort.

"She ordered Soldier Eden to stand behind the line and remove his pants. All the soldiers then turned their backs. When we turned back, she cut off her skirt with the blade and had replaced the skirt with pants. Soldier Eden is currently wrapped in the skirt, waiting for the moment he can put on new pants," the guard reported to the amused chuckle of Zakarus.

"On the top shelf of the cabinet in my study, there is a bottle of whisky with a black label. See that he receives it," Zakarus ordered, entering the room.

The whisky should help soften the jibes of how the gentleman had the hips of a lady. Well, that would be what Zakarus would tell Shaed if they replaced these men.

The air in Zakarus' lips hissed out at the same moment as Irina's when Shaed made a small slash to her leg.

"You have let your guard down. Has all the needlework reduced your abilities, my lady?" Shaed taunted, already on the defensive.

Zakarus looked around at the soldiers. Only a few observed the battle with interest. I cannot allow these men to remain idiots. Zakarus's eyes narrowed as he turned back to the battle.

"Look at the fire within Suzera Irina's eyes," Zakarus instructed.

Sounds of heals moving to a more alert position could be heard from the soldiers standing at attention around Irina and Shaed.

"Look at the feet of your Koman," Zakarus continued. "He is ready to attack or defend based upon Suzera Irina's next move. To attack would tire him quicker, but to wait would cause his opponent further fatigue. You must be ready if you wish to survive and serve your suzerains with pride!"

Irina clenched her teeth, changing the positioning of her legs. This would not be her strongest moment, but she would find a way to adapt for victory. Shaed could not win.

The two stood facing one another. Heavy breaths and the sound of Zakarus's steady pace increased the edge of Irina's nerves.

Zakarus smirked when Irina kicked her slippers behind her. Shaed did not comment. A sure sign of how both were concentrating on defeating the other.

If Zakarus had watched Shaed's eyes closely, he would have seen the small glances made towards Irina's waistline where the frayed top met her pants. There, Shaed could see the letter secured within the belt. His eyes narrowed for a moment.

Irina saw the weakness. She took her moment to gain leverage. Soldiers held their breath as the swords met, making Shaed move backward. It took a few moments for his footing to find correction, mostly a turn; one Zakarus identified as not suitable for the battlefield unless they wished to die.

"It is never good to be too exuberant as it wastes energy," Zakarus informed the crowd, causing Shaed to roll his eyes. "Everyone forgets the fancy move when your head is in the dirt."

Shaed found further provocation within the words and Irina's smirk. He would prove himself to be worthy of his station. He would prove himself to be worthy of her. Shaed attacked Irina with a level of vigor she had not seen in many years.

Irina backed away from Shaed's advances. Her face scrunched in moments of aggravation. She knew the mistakes her feet made after each step. These stupid mistakes would be her downfall if she did not adjust.

"Watch Suzera Irina's feet," Zakarus commented. "Notice how sometimes they do not allow her enough balance or agility. Look at the arm movements. Sometimes they are too—good correction, Suzera Irina."

"Cousin, I believe it is time you stop with this lesson and let us fight," Irina hissed.

"Very well." Zakarus smirked.

Irina parried Shaed's swipe towards the letter with a confused gaze. The meaning became clear a moment later when two sheets of paper met the floor. Before she could berate his actions, Shaed began his next attack. Irina fended him off with a new fire.

Shaed had no right to destroy that letter. He had been clear with his stance years ago beside the lake, and just like before, such ungentlemanly actions demanded retribution.

Irina made a small slash on his leg without remorse and balanced it with one on his sword arm. Shaed's eyes widened.

"I did not know a letter mattered so much to you, little Suzera," he taunted.

He placed his heal on half of one page, and with one small movement, the sound of ripping paper echoed off the walls.

"I did not know you cared," she whispered in response, pushing a strand of dark hair from her eyes.

Violet and brown eyes clashed with simmering emotions. "Who said I ever did?"

A slow burn began near her eyes that should not have been there. Irina wished it to be sweat finding its way down, but her heart's clenching suggested the true cause. Shaed had picked an inopportune moment to show any form of favor towards her. Granted, no outward words were said, but for him, the actions were enough. He could not simply let her go to become a lady.

Irina began her next assault to cease her thoughts. The movements were crisp, allowing little doubt in her training. She did not pause in her attack as she forced Shaed to use his injured arm. The moment Irina faltered, Shaed took the opportunity to break the attack. Unfortunately, he had forgotten she preferred leg sweeps, and within seconds, Shaed found himself on his back. When he tried to flip back up, Irina jumped and kicked him back to the ground with both feet. The impact sent his sword clattering to the ground.

"Again, some of these moves may be impractical for battle," Zakarus commented, earning a glare from Irina.

"The moves and techniques used in a battle are also determined by the environment. Creativity could save a life," Irina hissed while walking over to Shaed.

It took a moment for Shaed to recognize he was on the floor. Before he could return to his feet, Irina sat on his chest with both blades to his neck.

"Admit it," Irina pushed out with heavy breaths.

The sound of Zakarus' heels had stopped. "Turn to look at the wall."

The unified stomping of feet did not deter Irina from making this scene. Shaed had pushed her to this point with his taunts. She needed to hear him admit it.

"Say it," she whispered, leaning forward slightly.

Shaed's walled stare caused a clenching that brought her to the moment beside the lake all those years ago. She had forgotten why she did not like the red. Things became ruined. People became hurt. He never went beyond this point, and she could not find the strength required to break him of his fears. To help him see the greatness of what could come from their union if they controlled some of this passion, so it did not burn them.

"Are these the actions of a lady?" Shaed breathed out.

They were simply zealous without substance. The slow burn that subdued to ash and then flickered into life again without warning. However, they had no foundation or walls to contain it or build it into something that could be trusted.

Irina held Shaed's gaze for a few moments before the breath escaped her. We are done.

She dropped the swords and rose from the floor. Irina did not glance at the letter Shaed had disposed of moments before. She knew what her answer would be. From now on, Irina would be sure to wear pink. Not one person dared to flench when the doors were slammed closed.

"By the end of this," Shaed groaned, rising slowly from the floor. "You will be able to battle like Suzera Irina, if not better. That is the only way to secure your survival."

"Yes, Koman Sutter." The men responded in unison while turning back around.

"Now find a partner to practice," Shaed yelled, not daring to meet Zakarus' gaze.

Shaed did not need to be reminded of what had just passed. He moved on to correct stances and hold of the sword. Irina had left him.

Zakarus left the training hall perturbed. He refused to believe his father had been correct. Zakarus would not sacrifice his cousin or friend. They both had moved forward. Shaed would be happy. Irina would be secure.

For Jude, it would be done.

***

Poor Shaed and Irina.  So much passion, but they can't seem to get it together.  

I hope y'all enjoyed the chapter.  Thank you for reading :)