A Marriage of Swords
His grip was firm, pulling her to her feet with ease.
Her ankle protested, but she put weight on it, refusing to show weakness.
"The ground bested me, not you," she stated, brushing dirt from her leathers.
"A battlefield includes the ground," he replied. "You said so yourself." He retrieved her sword and handed it to her, hilt first. "You fight... differently."
"So do you. For a prince."
A faint, almost real smile touched his lips. "For a prince." He paused. "You held back your word. You play the lady today. Without complaint."