The Dance of Deceitfulness

By Samantha Rodriguez

Eliana is stubborn, sassy and resentful for her new path in life. After all, she wasn't destined for the crown but her brother was killed by Asevis, an enemy kingdom, leaving her no choice. She must learn what truth is and who she can trust in a winding path on what it means to be suited to be Queen.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Samantha Rodriguez
• Release date: Apr 1, 2020
• ISBN: 9781370948772

Samantha Rodriguez

I'm eighteen years old and have had a passion of reading avidly since I was young. I live in Chicago and currently attend Lane Tech College Prep as a Senior. One of my favorite authors is Sarah J. Maas, and the person who truly inspired me to start writing. I also enjoy swimming, dancing and eating chocolate!

Book preview

The Dance of Deceitfulness

Samantha Rodriguez

Smashwords Edition

Copyright 2020 © Samantha Rodriguez. Smashwords edition. All Rights reserved.

Cover Design: Canva

Reproduction of this work in whole or in part in any manner without express written consent is prohibited.

Chapter 1

Come on, fight back harder. You just gave me an easy opening, Eliana said with an annoyed sigh. The sun was beating on her back and cold sweat that drizzled down her neck was a relief, even if it was making her clothes disgustingly sweaty. She had been out here for hours and the gangly man with a scrapy beard before her was the fifth person this morning right away going on the defensive side as she brought her sword down on his. Weapons Master, clearly needed to be reevaluated, a position her father needed to consider soon.

Eliana expressed her exasperation and bored with the fight at hand, ducked from her opponent's sword clumsy thrust towards her shoulder and rammed her shoulder into her opponent's chest making him stumble. While he stumbles back she smacked her opponent's fist with her own sword hand, making his sword fall to the ground. Eliana backed up a little trying to conceal her smile but failing to do so. The Weapons Master looked up, redness filling up his bony cheekbones and his clenched fist, as he tried to hide his pain and embarrassment from her. Feeling slightly bad she decided to leave him for a little hoping he would regain some of his pride back once she returned. She walked to where the water pitcher is and started to pour herself a glass, the cold pitcher was a relief to her aching hand, as much as it was as the water touched her dry throat.

Seeking a better opponent? Eliana jumped back startled and spilled the water that she was drinking on to herself, as she knocked into someone's unmoving chest. She turns around to lock eyes with Ryan and looks at him with disdain as his teasing grin breaks out across his face.

Did you really have to sneak up on me like that? She placed her now emptied glass back on the table with an annoyed clank. Ryan placed his hand on the side of the table, leaning back on it, while getting back in Eliana’s line of view, If you’re one of the best warriors in the castle, then you shouldn’t have been caught off guard, he crossed his arms while smirking.

Eliana’s eyes flicked up towards his with simmering malice. Is that a challenge? She sneered.

Ryan looked her over for a moment seeming bored now and stood up. He side stepped around her to pour a glass for himself. He leisurely took his time finishing his glass of water and finally set his glass down and looked at her again. For you yes. For me no, making his answer clip and final he turned to leave.

You think that you’re better than me don’t you? she scoffed not believing his answer. He ignored her and Ryan continued to walk acting like he didn’t hear her. Eliana followed after him becoming more annoyed by the second, from him dismissing her like that. She catches up to him and puts her hand on his shoulder yanking him towards her. He turned around towards her that amused smirk returning back to his face. She realizes how close they are standing to each other and that her hand is still on his shoulder. He seemed to notice it too and his smirk breaks out into an amused grin. She yanked her hand off his shoulder fast, not sure what felt more scorching hot, her hand where she touched him or her cheeks which she knew were going up in flames at this moment.

Noticing her red cheeks Ryan’s smile dimmers into slight understanding. Look princess you’re good I admit. But that doesn’t mean you're better than me, he says matter of factly.

Regaining her composure, she said, We’ll see about that, while backing up a couple of paces to create distance from him. She grabbed her sword from her belt and got into a fighting stance, the sapphires letting out a faint blue hew, as the beating sun’s glare landed on her blade and hilt. She pointed her sword at him now putting on her own teasing smirk, as her lips tilted up slightly. We’re fighting now, she said as a command.

I’m not going to fight you, he looks at his nails, as if the dirt under them were more of a threat to his well being then the fuming Princess with a sword in hand a couple of feet away. He glanced up, You’re just going to embarrass yourself, he said as if it was obvious.

Eliana’s smirk turned into a determined frown as she thrusted her sword towards his shoulder. He seemed only slightly put off guard as Ryan swept his awaiting sword from his belt and matched his sword with hers just in time, as a loud clunk echoed throughout the training grounds. She striked left towards his hip and he deflects the attack with ease. He swiped his sword again towards her left side and doesn't notice her right foot going right for his knee as she jams it making him fall