When Averil wins the first trace, she frowns at me, but she only says, “Another game.” Once more I restrain myself from showing my full skill, and when she gains the trace, she slams both palms on the table and stands up, glaring. “Stop letting me win,” she hisses. “I’m teaching you.” “You don’t teach someone by handing them success. They have to earn it. They have to work hard and lose and lose until they gain it.” A roaring flush runs through my body, because she’s beautiful like this, stormy and indignant, and despite her human form she has never looked more like a princess of the sea. “I
...more
