Chapter 44 #2
I try to catch my breath, but feel like a fish on dry land. He doesn’t advance though, waiting patiently till I recover. It’s a kind gesture, something that would not happen in a real battle. I quickly pull myself together and stand up.
Let’s try again. I manage a few punches this time, but punching against a brick wall would be more useful.
So when he starts to strike back, I know I am done for.
I can’t blame him, he was very kind up until now.
But the kick against my ribs makes me stagger back and he misses the punch aimed at my face, but I wasn’t expecting his elbow against my nose, so when I hear a loud crack and feel warm liquid run down my mouth, I fall onto my knees, wiping away the blood and watch my trembling hands.
Movement at the edge of the mat draws my attention, and even though my sight is hazy, I see Aramis talking to Conláed, I faintly catch the words between them.
“…something.”
“She…handle it.”
“He is trice…”
I block them out, I don’t know if Conláed believes in me or not, but since I am not unconscious just yet, I have to keep going. I can do this. When strong legs come into view, I play the act of a tired victim and wait till he’s within reach.
My heart beats loudly in my ears and fire spreads through my veins.
I strike.
I move my leg in a circular motion, swiping his feet from underneath him and I am on him before he even hits the ground.
His surprise only lasts a second and I am underneath him before I even realise it, taking another hit to my ribs.
I try to move but his weight presses down on me and I am only tiring myself out.
So I stop and wait for his final punch, knowing there is no escape in the fist that is about to land on my face.
Fight, you know how you can beat him.
The words are silent, but it is what I needed to hear. The man I know only from my dreams ignites the fire within me.
I manage to get one arm free and catch his fist inches away from my face and push back. I feel resistance as he puts more force in it as well. But there is no stopping me now. I bring one foot up and push against his chest, wrapping my legs who are both free now around his neck and clench.
He gets up, still not tired, but the lack of oxygen that is now not flowing as smoothly to his head, makes him stumble, and I pull down hard until my hands land on the ground and I shoot him into the air.
I feel the impact of the landing through my whole body as I crouch down on the mat, breath heavy. Sparks fly around me and when I look up at Aramis and Conláed, the two still standing next to each other, all I can see is pride and…awe.
The whole dojo erupts in cheers and I look down at Daelan, seeing how he is still unconscious, and the adrenaline instantly leaves my body. I rush over to them, ignoring everyone around me and place my hand against his cheek.
His chest still moves up and down, which is reassuring, but seeing someone in this state because of me feels wrong in every way.
To my surprise my palm glows immediately and a couple of seconds later he opens his eyes again, taking a deep breath as he places a hand on his chest.
The guilt is all consuming and I release his face, turning my gaze down. “I am so sorry. I wasn’t expecting…this. At all, really. I have no idea where that came from.”
He blinks a couple of times before speaking.
“I have trained since I was a young fae, I can estimate my opponent perfectly. Yet you, who seems so innocent and sweet, managed to surprise me.” He pushes himself up until he is seated and I quickly check to see if I might have hurt him in other places too.
“So don’t apologise, Maily. I should thank you.
I learned a lot from this too and if you ever search for a sparring partner, I would be thrilled to oblige. ”
His friends come up to the mat and pull him up. He gives me a quick wave and walks over to the water fountain.
I let myself fall down on my rear and can’t help but smile. That went surprisingly differently than I was expecting. Aramis walks over and pushes a glass of water in my hands.
I down it in seconds, thanking him as his fingers tilt my head up. “I was about to see if you needed some healing, but you seem to have done so yourself.”
My hands touch my nose, the bone there tender, but not painful in any way. My fingers still come back red though, I can only imagine what I look like right now.
“I really don’t understand how this works. How is it possible that I can heal without thinking about it, but summoning a small flame feels like running a three-day marathon?”
Out of thin air, Aramis manifests a small cloth and starts wiping away the blood that is probably smeared everywhere. “I believe healing has been a part of you for a long time. You have a gentle nature and always care more about others. You will put yourself last and even lower than that.”
“Your fire powers are part of you too, feather, but flames can be wild and unpredictable and that is further away from who you are.”
“I’m going to check on the other injured, see you later?” Aramis asks and I nod, watching as Conláed holds out his hand to me.
“You did okay out there.”
“Okay? Have you seen Daelan? He could’ve ended the fight in seconds if he wanted to. I’d say I did more than okay.”
The corners of his mouth twitch as his burning eyes analyse my face. “You did, although he did go easy on you in the beginning,” I close one eye, anticipating what he’s going to say next. “But, you did good, admitting that to yourself isn’t something that comes easy for you.”
Oh.
Does he know me that well already?
“There are some things I would’ve done differently, but since it was your first real battle against an unexpected opponent, you did great.”
“Thank you.”
His fingers graze my cheek and fire follows along with it. Heat spreads through my veins, and I know if I would try to summon a flame, there would be no issue now. He’s like my personal amplifier.
“A bruise was forming there.” Oh, right he wasn’t touching me out of his own free will. Of course not. “And even though your flames feel distinct and far away from you right now, at one point you will embrace them and no one will be able to stop you.”
I hold back a sigh. I just hope I won’t have to turn into something I’m not to let them surge.