Thayla #3
Pale clouds rise and fall with every adjustment and every twirl of our little dance. This one is so much different than the first round we went with one another.
She surges forward again with her weight driving the strike the way it has with every swing. Full commitment, no hesitation, no recalculation.
I step into her space rather than away, guiding the blow past me as I grab her handle and twist my wrist just enough to ruin her angle. Her momentum carries her a half-step too far and I tug her into me.
And my sword.
Had my blade been real, it would’ve glided right through her gut.
“Your weight’s too far forward. That works on Gladian’s big-ass body, but not mine. Adjust your center to smaller, faster opponents.”
She adapts without argument, sliding her back foot out, widening her stance. I can’t read the smirk on her face.
She’s either impressed or pissy.
Who fucking knows.
We shove away from each other, and our next exchange comes faster. Our swords meet in quick succession, and the wood shudders with every impact. Our grunts and groans mingle with the strikes as our chests rise and fall.
Her eyes, surprisingly, are bright with focus rather than triumph.
The air between us becomes nothing more than breaths and instinct. Our movements quicken to the point where there’s no time to think.
Only react.
In a fleeting second, almost as if she’s in slow motion, she makes the same mistake I’ve made so many times with Creed.
She leans her blade back a fraction too far, and her shoulder opens up with it. Without thinking, I slip inside the arc as she brings her arm down, catch her wrist, and step across her. My hips slide into position as I pull her arm and turn.
The realm tips at an angle I haven’t seen because I’m usually the one having this done to me.
She tumbles over my back in a rush of motion and hits the sand with a thud as I keep hold of her arm. One flick of her wrist and her sword falls limply beside her while the tip of mine presses against her heart.
A breath of silence stretches.
Then a quiet laugh escapes me as I hold my hand out for her to take. She stares at it for a long moment.
Slowly, the serious scowl melts from her face, and when her palm interlocks with mine, I pull her to her feet.
“Well, that fucking sucked. I’m pretty sure you broke my gods damn tailbone.”
I snort, but my smirk fades as the silence of the Court startles me.
Not only are the females on my side staring in stunned disbelief, but when I peer over my shoulder, the males are as well.
Kyzen’s smile and wink drag the air from my lungs.
Damn.
I forgot there was an audience.
You’ve got this.
I turn my attention back to the females.
“Your Domains and Designations don’t define you. In here or out there.” I point my sword toward the entrance or exit—however you want to look at it—of the Court as I pant for breath.
“Strength comes in all shapes and sizes. I don’t care if the other day was the first time you held a sword or the hundredth. What I care about is you showing up. Not for me, but for yourself. Every one of you here can do what we just did. You just have to have faith in yourself.
“I understand some of you may not want to be here. Training and learning how to fight isn’t something you want to do. That’s perfectly okay. You can leave at any time. I’m quite close to the Rising Chancellor, and one conversation will be all it takes and I can have you where you want to be. But…”
I take a deep breath, letting my sincere gaze scan them.
“If you stay, you have to give me your all. In return, you’ll get all of me. I can and will teach you. You will know how to protect yourself.”
The crowd shifts, and I straighten my shoulders, locking eyes with Yemi and allowing her smile to settle my racing heart.
“So, with that being said, if you don’t want to be here, please head that way. For those of you who are staying, go get a training sword. We got shit to learn.”
For a heartbeat, no one moves. I don’t let the uncertainty in the air cause my feet to rock. I do give Yemi and Rose a small nod when they break away from the crowd and head toward the piles of wooden swords.
Every eye follows them.
It is but isn’t a surprise when Jay and Leah break away from everyone next. They share smiles with Yemi and Rose, then the four of them turn to face me.
I release a subtle breath as another steps up, then another, and soon enough, clusters of females gather around the swords, waiting to grab one of their own.
No one leaves the Court.
“Well, there you go. Now we have a full rotation of baby fighters.”
A small laugh tumbles out of me, and I bump Mara with my elbow.
“Go help them get in proper positions,” I tell her. “And try to look friendly while you do it.”
She gives me a practiced grin and I grimace.
“Never mind. Just be yourself, but nicer.”
“You’re such an ass.” She laughs as she marches toward the others, barking for everyone to line up and get in position.
I smirk as some of them sneer at her rather than step away.
We’ve got this.
We’re already getting somewhere.