Chapter 12 #2
We moved like a storm, circling and reigning blows down upon each other, like the clash of thunder as we danced at lightning speed. Panting heavily I dodged swing after swing, my limbs growing heavy and tired to the point where I could only dodge.
Nearly screaming with frustration as a blow connected to my stomach, I crumpled as my body gave out, my knees no longer capable of supporting my weight.
He had pulled the punch at the last second when he realized I wouldn't be quick enough to dodge, but Goddess, even at half strength the force was enough to bring tears to my eyes as I gasped for breath.
His hand held my shoulder, holding me up so I didn't completely collapse facedown in the sand.
I drew in a few sharp breaths and right when he opened his mouth to speak, I moved faster than I ever had in my life, my opposite hand closing in a death grip around his wrist and twisting.
His body turned with a hiss of pain and right when he was off balance, I threw all my weight back, my feet digging into his lower back, now exposed to me.
Using the momentum, I flipped his giant mass up and over, slamming him into the sand behind.
Scrambling, I swung my body up and around to straddle his massive form, palming the dagger strapped to my thigh simultaneously, just as he rolled to his back.
A wicked grin formed on my lips as I practically purred, "I'm a quick learner—"
However, my celebration was short-lived as he recovered much more quickly than I had earlier.
Within a moment he had us rolling, pinning the wrist of the hand holding the dagger onto the sand.
I swung with my left hand, but he easily caught it in a vice-like grip, forcing it down beside my head.
His weight on my hips kept me from moving at all as he leaned down, his lips brushing the shell of my ear.
"As much as I loved that position, little menace," his voice low and nearly breathless as he panted slightly from the exertion of the fight, "you'll have to be much quicker than that if you want to win."
Rage bubbled and sizzled beneath my skin, my breaths coming out in ragged pants. With a piercing scream of defiance, I threw the last bit of my energy and adrenaline into headbutting him squarely in his jaw. The impact ricocheted through my skull, leaving stars dancing in my vision.
I heard the curse and the surprised, wicked chuckle that followed as I laid my head back in the sand, trying to blink my vision back into focus. Despite the hit, his grip never eased, and when my eyes opened I found his lip split and blood traveling down his chin, dripping onto my shirt.
"Goddess you're feral," he laughed, his genuine smile surprising me, cooling the wrath that scorched its way through my veins. Softening beneath him, my body relaxing, I let out a soft disbelieving laugh of my own.
"Does that count as a second hit then?"
He released my wrists, the ache from his tight grip loosening causing a groan to hiss out.
He leaned back, but didn't get off as a shadow of regret darkened his eyes, his attention caught on the slight bruising he marked upon my body. He quickly stood, hand reaching down to help me to my feet. Gingerly stretching out my sore muscles, wincing now that the adrenaline that had been coursing through me receded, I realized I would definitely need a healer for some of the pain. Potions simply wouldn’t do the trick this time.
"Where'd you learn to fight like that?" His tone was curious with a hint of something I couldn't quite place.
"My cousin wanted to make sure I could defend myself if the need arose and I fell in love with it. You should see what I can do with these.” My voice held a teasing note as I waved the dagger in my hand before sheathing it.
Glancing at him, at the darkness that passed over his face as his gaze once more caught on the faint bruising at my wrists, I softened a fraction as I drew his attention back to my eyes.
"I appreciate you not taking it easy, that was the most exhilarating fight I think I've ever had.
Besides," I gestured to the marks, "it's nothing that can't be healed. "
Surprise flitted across his face before he quickly schooled it back to his usual facade of icy distance and shrugged. “Next time we'll see how good you are with the daggers."
I raised a questioning brow. “Next time?"
"You're good," he acknowledged, "but you have the potential to truly be lethal, if you wish to be."
Before I could respond, a voice called out and I turned in confusion, eyes locking with a certain golden gaze.
Prince Kairen Soleil approached, his smile fading the closer he got, his steps slowing. His brows rose as his stare moved between the two of us and I felt my face flush at the thought of what we must look like.
Feral, Roan had called me, and I was sure that had to be an accurate description from the disbelieving stare of the Prince.
My shirt was practically soaked through with sweat, my hair tangled and plastered to my skin.
I had no doubt I was covered in sand from the way I itched, and I nearly groaned at the thought of trying to wash all of it from my body after this.
Kairen’s focus flicked to the Captain’s split lip and the blood that trailed down his chin. "I asked you to assess her level, Roan, not brawl in front of all your recruits."
Glancing around, my stomach dropped at the hundreds of gazes that had been watching for who knows how long, my skin crawling for an entirely new reason now. My nails picked at raw skin as I avoided meeting the eyes of anyone in the crowd.
He merely shrugged, the cut splitting even more when he gave a sarcastic, unapologetic smile.
"And now we know that she's perfectly capable in a fight if we get attacked on the road.
She could do with a few lessons to temper her rage and hone more into her skillset, but she has good instincts and she is skilled. "
Kairen glanced warily my way, but I too only shrugged. "I started the brawl, as you call it, so if you're going to be upset it should be with me."
A smile crinkled his eyes. “Is that how he got the split lip then?" I glanced over at Roan, feigning nonchalance.
“No, that was from headbutting him.”
I fought the smile that threatened to break through as the Prince laughed, a deep hearty thing that was entirely too contagious.
"You two are going to be terrible travel companions," Roan muttered and I bit back my own laugh.
"Do you mind taking a walk with me, Syra?" Kairen asked, his golden eyes sparkling in the sunlight as he regarded me curiously, his laughter subsiding. I hesitated for a moment before nodding my head, reaching for my water at the edge of the sandpit.
Mumbling a quick goodbye to Roan, I joined Kairen in a slow walk leading from the training grounds.
Glancing back over my shoulder, I was surprised to find that green and silver gaze locked onto our retreating forms, boring into me. His arms were crossed and though I couldn't see his face clearly, I wondered what thoughts were running through his mind, but I quickly turned back around.
Realizing Kairen was waiting for an answer to a question I hadn't heard, I rushed out, "Sorry, can you say that again?"
"I asked how you thought the assessment went?" No hint of irritation laced his tone at the inconvenience of having to repeat himself.
Hesitating, I tried to think of an acceptable answer, before finally settling on, "It was intense, but I think it was good. At least it felt good afterwards to have that outlet, he also gave me a few good pointers."
Kairen nodded slowly, his hands clasped behind his back.
He was so different here than that time he had come into the shop seeking help.
He was the perfect picture of sophistication and brutal elegance.
His brown skin shone in the early sunlight, his red robes stitched with golden thread that perfectly fit his body as if they were made for him and I realized they probably were made to perfectly fit his measurements.
I glanced at him from the corner of my eye, taking in the unruly black hair, the slight uptilt of the corners of his eyes, and the high cheekbones.
I didn't see many similarities physically between him and Rena despite the blood relation, but perhaps they took after the parents that weren't related to each other.
"Was there something you wanted to discuss?" I asked suddenly, not feeling quite comfortable with the silence we had fallen into.
"Actually I wanted to apologize for not being around much since you've come to do your trials. I wanted to give you space to come to a decision, but l've also been busy making preparations for the journey."
Humming thoughtfully,I said, "Can I ask you a question?"
"Anything.”
"What happened that day, when you got stabbed?"
He grinned slightly. "Nothing serious really, we ran into some people that were looking for trouble and got separated. I got stabbed and he carried me back."
So similar to the simple story Roan had told me that night, but it still didn’t add up. Why hadn’t they just gone to the Master Healers? What were they hiding?
"You have another question." He said it more like a statement, but there was a current of amusement running through his tone.
I had a thousand, but I settled for the one I thought he might answer.
"You mentioned that you'd tell me who the end of the prophecy referred to, who it is you're trying to save."
He stopped then, close to the gardens of the Apprentice Pavilion, on the outskirts where no one who ventured through could hear our conversation.
Leaning a shoulder against the trunk of a moon willow, Kairen regarded me. “Do you trust me?"
The question caught me off guard and I shifted, lips pursing as I thought about it. Did I trust him? He had been nothing but kind, however, he was a Solerian Prince. Never could I tell him my secrets, who I truly was.
Hesitantly, I answered, "I don't give my trust easily, Prince."
As if anticipating that response, the knowing smile he gave seemed to relax whatever tension had developed within me from the question, "I don't either, Potion Maker, but I feel like I want to trust you—for whatever reason."
"My winning charm, perhaps?" My teasing tone won a laugh from him. Sighing, he pushed off the tree and nodded once, as if coming to a conclusion.
"After your second trial, before we leave for the quest, I will tell you who it is I'm trying to save.”
Nodding slowly, the knot that had formed in my chest loosened. He was giving this piece of himself, his motivations for this quest, to show that he could be trusted.
He wanted to earn my trust.
The smile on his face was as stunning as it was mischievous as he gave me a slight incline of his head. "Thank you for accompanying me. I'm sure you must be tired after the morning you had. I won't take anymore of your time."
I watched as he walked a path back towards the palace. Never would I have expected Solerian royalty to be like Prince Kairen. To have kindness and compassion etched so permanently into his soul that it seemed to seep from him.
I might not yet trust the man, but I found I liked being around him more with every conversation we shared. The thought sent a bitter flicker of self-loathing to burn in my gut.
Prince of Sun and Flame.
The shadows hissed, stoking the self hatred that reared its ugly head within me.
Son of a Damned King,
how special you must feel, little shadow,
to bask in his warmth.
The words were venomous. Slithering through my mind and wrapping around my very core.
But be careful
for even the smallest flame can catch alight
and burn entire cities to nothing but ruinous ash.