I straighten, not even caring that I’mleaving myself open to attack.“Oh, come on,” Isaydryly.“Sarageseand Irin wereon methe entire time.”
He taps the tip of the blade to his chin.“Oh, yeah, they were.”He pointsthe knife at me.His smile curveshis face in two.“It’s because you ate my fucking cake.”
As soon as I got back, I went to Jace’s private rooms and helped myself to his fridge.Then Ibrokethe magic runes keeping it cold so he would know as soon as he went insidethat something was wrong.It took him two seconds to find me in my gym.He always holds back on me when we spar, but he won’t now.And I need that.
Arienna is driving me crazy.
Holding his gaze,I lick the icing I leftonmy lips just to piss him off.Ibarelymanage to tastethe gosberry-and-honey blend before I’mlunging back, attempting to stay out of his reach.Diving, he rollsinto a crouch in front of me.His leg kicksout in an arch, sweeping me off the ground.
My wings snap out as Ifall.They flap strongly, pushing me up but not fast enough to escape the sharp slice across my thigh.It’sa shallow cut.Non-lethal.He’s playing with me, considering he could’ve aimed for my spine.
Scowling, I twist in the air and drop back on top of him.My legs wrap around his neck.His armcomesup to stab me, but I know hewon’thit anything major.The bastard neverlosescontrol even when pissed.
Plus,consideringI’ve challenged Karl to a fight in a fairy ring, I might as well make it fair for him by taking afairbit of damage beforehand.I wouldn’t want to be accused of being a monster.
Ignoring the agonythat eruptsin my legfrom the slice of Jace’s blade, I slam my elbow ontohishead.Over and over and over again in rapid succession.
Hetossesthe knifeaway, knowing I’m not tappingout.Lurching backwards, he triesto slam us into the ground, but I flap my wings hard, keeping us both upright.He stumblesaround below me for a few steps before finding his balance.Jumping high, his own wings spreading, he curlsup at the waist and kicksme in the skull.Hard.
My head snapssideways.I hear something crack.As blood oozesinto my eyes,we hit the ground.He wrestles on top of me, swings a fist down to break my nose.Throwing my arms in front of my face, I block him.Pain shoots through my forearms.Then through myexposed sideas the bastard bitesme.
An honourable fighter Jaceisnot.
Then again, neitheramI.
Rolling us over, I slam a knee into his balls.
He moansbut not in a painful way.His strong hands run up my legs.
“I told you you’re notallowed todothat!”I snap.
Another groan escapeshis lips.“Do it again, Daddy.”
Shuddering, Ipush away from him and jump to my feet.“This is why we never spar anymore.”
He laughs as he stands.“No, it’sbecauseyou’re always such a tease,yetnever finish me off.”
My eyes narrow.I glanceat the daggeron the floor; it’s not too far from me.
“Go for it,” he murmurs before kissing the air.
Shaking my head, I walk to the edge of themat.“There’s something seriously wrong with you.”
“You know what’s wrong with me.”
I stop, a chill of regret and pain shooting through me.Wehavenever talked about that night.Rarelytalk about her, yet thisisthe second time he’sbrought her up in as many days.I’mtorn between being elated for him and hating him.The memories of her rip me apart, but I’mglad he’sstarting to face what hedid… what I asked him to do.Perhaps, he’lleven start to heal.
Turning to him, I hold his gaze.“I’m sorry I asked that of you.”
His smileshineswith pain.“No, you’re not.You did what you did because you loved her.”
“So did you,” I murmur, acknowledging that truth for the first time.
Pure agony flickersacross his face, breaking the smile thathewears like a marble mask.“Yeah.”
Walking forward, he picksup the blade.He flicksit into the air andcatchesit again.Afterthe second toss, hethrowsit at my feet in a challenge.
I hold his gaze, searching for anytrace of thecontrolledman he’sturned into.But thereisnothing but a heartbroken boy looking back at me.A dangerous, heartbroken boy who hasevery right to hate me.
