I'm the first one in the training room the next morning. I haven't seen Ayden since our moment in the music room.

I've come to my senses since then.

Our moment in the music room was actually a blessing in disguise. Showing him my real attraction will hopefully convince Ayden of the act I'm going to put on today. He'll fall for me. He'll trust me. And he'll let me go. Just like Selene said. As long as I keep my heart out of it, I can put on a very good show of seducing him.

Ayden stops in his tracks when he walks in.

"Are you ready to get started?" I ask, pushing up from the bench.

His hungry eyes scan me from head to toe, my skin-tight sports bra and shorts having their desired effect. "Have you warmed up yet?"

"No. I've been waiting for you."

I feel his eyes exploring my flesh while we run through our own warmups. I think I'm a distraction for him. Just a small distraction, but it makes me smile nonetheless.

"You carried a sword with you the night you broke in." Ayden says, collecting two blunt swords. He holds one out to me. "Do you know how to use it?"

I snatch the training sword from him. "Will I get that sword back if I say no?"

He doesn't reply. He steps inside the training ring, preparing himself in a battle-ready stance. "Come and join me, and we'll see if your actions agree with your words."

I stalk over to the training ring, not giving anything away on my face. I ready myself into position too.

Then I strike without warning.

He's ready for me. He blocks the attack, kicking a leg round behind me.

Before my brain can even register what's happening, I find myself sprawled on the floor. The tip of Ayden's sword points towards my heart.

"I learnt from your tricks last time." He purrs. "Did you learn from mine?"

I bat his sword away from me. He stretches a hand down to help me up. I accept it. I don't want to touch him, but it's a necessary part of my act.

It also means he doesn't anticipate my next move. I swing my sword up to his neck, catching him unprotected. He releases my hand as his own sword tries to swing up upwards to intercept mine. I grab his sword hand with my free hand, stilling his movements.

"I learnt." I taunt.

"Good."

I release him, and we prepare ourselves for another fight. This one ends up turning into a proper sparring match. I manage to hold my own for a while. Until my blade goes flying and his is against my neck, that is.

"Again." I say.

While we spar, Ayden points out all the mistakes I'm making and gives me advice for the future. It's not that Alex taught me wrong; they taught me well enough. But they held back with me and taught me to do the same. I can see that now. The way Ayden and I spar leaves us both with a plethora of bruises. He doesn't hesitate to get a little rough, so I can't either.

I don't win a single sparring match, although I think it's more due to his years of experience rather than my own skills. If I keep practicing with him, I'll be an expert soon enough.

"What are we doing next time, then?" I ask. We're both sat on the same bench, breaths ragged.

"Why? Is there something else you'd like to learn?"

"Teach me." I look him in the eyes. "Teach me everything you know." I let my gaze drop to his lips for a split second. I know he tracks the movement.

"I don't think you know what you're asking for."

"I think I do."

He takes hold of my wrist, lifting it between our faces. His thumb strokes my flesh. Just beneath the thin band of iron. "I gave you a book of dark spells. Would you like me to teach you those too?"

I pull my wrist away, resting it in my lap. "I meant weapons, Ayden. You can take your spell book back. I'm not doing any kind of test for you."

"I was never planning on testing you." His lips quirk upwards. "I just wanted to see how you would react, but apparently you found some better reading material." He shrugs

I scowl. "You can't keep toying with me, Ayden."

He leans in closer to me. "Aw. But you're so much fun to toy with." He twiddles my hair round his fingers. "I like the anticipation of waiting to see what you do next. You showing up this morning was the best surprise I've seen yet."

"I'm not here for you." I deny. "I'm here because I want to be able to defend myself."

"Defend yourself against who? You have my protection."

"Against you, if necessary."

He shakes his head. "I know you don't entirely trust me. But have I really given you a reason to doubt your safety around me?"

He hasn't. He pushes my boundaries, but he respects when I decide to push back. And the only time he's ever assaulted me was when he gave me the iron bracelet to protect myself. He's never tried to hurt me since, despite having had countless opportunities.

"The guards responsible for babysitting me are loyal to you, not me." I counter.

If there's anyone I don't feel safe around, it's Asher. But I don't know what Ayden would do if I admitted that. Asher's threats are idle and haven't caused me any harm, and I don't want to be responsible for Ayden harming him. Eleanora reappeared this morning for the first time since she was whipped. I already have a guilty conscience over that.

"Would you rather I provide you with no guards at all?" Ayden questions.

"Yes."

"Hm." I can tell from the twinkle in his eyes that he knows exactly where my thoughts are. Escape. "You'll have to spend a lot more time in here with me. You're losing far too many battles at the moment."

"Fine by me." I shrug. But internally, I'm screaming in glee. I'll gladfully put the work into training if it leads to Ayden dismissing the guards. No guards means I can make my prison break.

He drops my hair, getting up to leave the room. "Some of the Midnight Circle are coming over for dinner tonight. I'd like it if you joined us."

This is the first dinner offer I've had in a few days, but this time, it's obviously not a date.

"I'll be there." I nod.

But as he leaves the room, I wonder if dinner with a dark-side gang is any better.