“Sometimes it feels as if battle has been my entire existence. After a while, there is only the fight, the struggle to survive just one more day. I learned because I had to, because weakness meant death.”
I needn’t have worried. The way Noctis’s eyes grew cold and inscrutable as he lifted his sword once more effectively silenced all further questions.
Only Portia seemed discontent, a frown on her face as she pressed on. “Being a skilled fighter does not equate to being a competent protector. We have already lost some of our own to this mysterious threat, so forgive me if I don’t trust the word of a stranger to ensure the safety of this village and its citizens.”
Mayor Brim cleared his throat, attempting to defuse the tension. “Now, dear Portia, you surely do not want to question Rada’s dedication to Dalath’s safety.”
That sharp gaze immediately shot to me. “Oh, no, of course not. We all know how enthusiastic our Rada is in applying her skills and attention to the wellbeing of Dalath’s citizens.” Portia’s thin-lipped smile held no warmth. She motioned at me and Noctis. “Perhaps the two of you should give us a little demonstration?” She threw a cold look at Noctis. “I’m sure at leastsheis able to match your skills.”
I could guess why Portia was suggesting this. After seeing Noctis fight, she was sure he would best me, and it was in her petty nature to take pleasure in my defeat.
Noctis tried to dismiss the suggestion at once, gesturing to my skirt. “I don’t think Rada is dressed adequately for a fight with me.”
I had dressed with more care than usual this morning, knowing I had to speak in front of the Council and that some of its members took note of such things. Still, there had been enough moments in my existence when I had been forced into battle without the luxury of changing my attire beforehand. And Noctis had had enough fun on the training grounds without anyone truly challenging him.
A playful smile tugged at my lips as I stepped into the training space. “I can still kick your ass.” Dark eyes locked onto mine, a flash of surprise quickly replaced by a wild, eager gleam. “Even in a skirt.”
“Is that so?” Noctis did not try to dissuade me, the smirk he threw at me frustratingly self-assured. “I distinctively remember more than one time when I bested you.”
I bared my teeth in a grin, not hiding the thrill rushing through my veins. It had been ages since we had last sparred together, and a reckless part of me burned to do so again. “Maybe I went easy on you in the past,” I taunted.
The look on his face would have sent me scurrying away if I had even a shred of self-preservation. Instead, giddy excitement coursed through me. “Get your weapon,” he growled. Ursa tossed me myspear, and I caught it with ease, the wooden shaft smooth and familiar in my hands.
The entire courtyard fell silent at the sudden tension between Noctis and me, all eyes on us. Even Alona, who had been idly playing with her stone, the bright lapis lazuli catching the sunlight in dazzling sparkles, sat up on her perch next to Kyree.
“You’re ready?” Noctis asked, moving into a fighting stance, his broadsword raised.
“Always.”
The word was barely out of my mouth before I sprang into action, the tip of my spear slicing through the air toward his head. At the last moment, I shifted my aim, redirecting my thrust toward his legs. He countered just in time, but I had anticipated it, already twisting to the side, my weapon a blur as I whirled past him. Once again, he managed to block me, steel clashing with steel in a sharp, resonating clang. I jumped back at once, disengaging. I had to rely on my speed to outmaneuver him since he was physically stronger.
With a few swift steps to the left, I forced him to turn to keep me in sight. My spear struck again, each thrust precise and unpredictable. Head, hip, right arm, left leg—I did not give him a chance to go on the offensive.
“Oh, the lass is making him work for it,” Ulyss exclaimed, delight in his voice. Dolores clapped her hands together with an excited squeal.
“You won’t be able to keep this up,” Noctis commented, ducking under another attack. He sounded a little breathless. Good.
“I only have to last longer than you.” I flashed him a wide smile, thrusting my spear toward his chest. He leaped back a few paces.
I could pinpoint the exact moment he stopped holding back. His gaze fixed on me with menacing intensity, his grip on the swordshifting imperceptibly, every powerful line of his body tensing up. As he met my next attack, he gave me no opportunity to evade. His sword slid against the tip of my spear with a shrill screech, and then he unleashed a barrage of blows so forceful that I was soon forced to retreat across the entire length of the training grounds. When I felt the stable wall behind me, and saw the arrogant smile lifting the corner of his mouth, I growled in annoyance. There was no way I was going to let him win.
My hands tightened around the handle of my weapon, and then I charged forward, ignoring the surprised cries of our spectators. Instead of attacking directly, I stabbed the pointy end of my spear into the ground, using it to propel myself into the air and over Noctis’s blade. My booted foot met his face with satisfying force, halting his assault abruptly. I rolled over the ground, taking my spear with me, and sprang to my feet once more, swiftly straightening my skirt.
“You’re still quick,” Noctis remarked, brushing off a few drops of blood where my boot had broken the skin of his lip. Despite the injury, his eyes held no anger, only an unrelenting fire that burned brighter and brighter every time our weapons met.
“You’re still talking too much,” I retorted with a laugh.
For a few glorious minutes, it was only us, everything else fading away. A deadly, heart-pounding dance of clashing steel and quick, shallow breaths, our eyes locked, noting every weakness. No one would ever match me this well, I thought as I ducked beneath a blow that came so close I felt it stir my hair, the crowd crying out in alarm. No one would ever make me feel this alive.
And no one would be more satisfying to defeat.
I stumbled back with a gasp at Noctis’s next attack, my skirts tangling around my legs. My spear dipped as the grip of my right hand faltered, leaving that side exposed. Noctis lunged. His mouth twistedinto a triumphant grin. I dropped to one knee, his sword whizzing over me, and swung the butt of my spear around in a well-aimed arc.
Taking advantage of the way he was out of balance, too sure of his certain victory, the blow pulled his feet out from under him. I was on my feet again as he crashed down, not wasting a moment, my spear’s sharp edge pressing against his neck before he could rise.
“I have to admit,” I said softly, “seeing you on your knees in the dirt does bring back some wonderful memories.”
Noctis breathed in deeply. Then his open hand hit the ground in the acceptance of defeat. A turn of his head, his eyes glinting. “Been waiting to say that to me, haven’t you?”
