Adrien turned toward her, his expression unreadable save for the devilish gleam that flickered in his eyes. He walked a slow circle around Alicia, his hands behind his back, gaze sweeping her up and down like a commander assessing a soldier on the first day of war.
"You're serious about this?" he asked, stopping in front of her. His voice dropped to that low, commanding drawl. "No turning back?"
She lifted her chin, unwavering. "Dead serious."
A slow, wicked smile curved his lips. "Alright then, Princess of War." He stepped aside and gestured to the clearing. "Let's see what that pretty determination of yours is made of."
Alicia tensed, ready for some advanced combat move or a technique she'd need to mimic.
Instead, Adrien pointed toward a massive pine tree standing just past the clearing, its towering frame lined with thick, frost-dusted branches all the way to the top.
"Climb that," he said simply.
