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Holding my gaze, she lowered herself until her hands flattened on the grass. I watched in astonishment as she fed the oversupply of power into the land. I’d wrongly assumed the energy would come out as electricity, which would char or kill whatever it touched.
Instead, the blades of grass brightened to a brilliant green and small white flowers blossomed instantly, at least twenty feet in every direction. It was like watching an Earth Realm’s spring in fast forward.
When she rose, her hands twisted and pulled at invisible forces as she murmured something quietly. I blinked and she was holding a crystal sword.
No, not crystal. The buzz coming off of it reminded me of Lyric’s wings. Raven had ingeniously fashioned a sword made out of energy.
“Impressive,” I praised.
“Thank you.”
The little imp didn’t even give me a chance to draw my weapon before she charged.Gods, how I loved her tenacity.
Chapter 17
Raven
Lightning quick, Casimir’s sword came up to block my downward swing. I altered the direction to come at him from the side and he blocked again. I tried another angle, then another, meeting steel every time.
Swords were not my greatest strength, but I could wield one when necessary. Casimir, however, handled his blade expertly, effortlessly impeding each and every one of my attacks. I was no match for him, not without my powers.
Much to my disappointment, he didn’t strike at me at all. He held back, choosing to remain on the defensive.
I was well aware he was letting me work out my emotions by using him as a target. I didn’t like how that made me feel. That he was being the bigger person only infuriated me further. Casimir being the good guy here left me with little justification to make him bleed.
Yet, I continued. Arms aching, I swung and spun and swung again, trusting I’d never make contact with his body unless he allowed it. Seconds turned into minutes and I lost track of time.
At some point Casimir altered his movements so my strikes glanced down the length of this blade, effectively lessening the jar of impact.
Considerate ass!
I advanced and he backed away, permitting my perpetual attacks. Perspiration beaded along my forehead. My breaths grew into pants and my lungs burned. I hadn’t exerted myself in physical combat since I’d left Terek. I wouldn’t be able to keep this up for much longer.
My next strike was so slow and sloppy I decided to stop before I really embarrassed myself. He’d defeated me without once going onto the offensive. I let go of the spell and my sword turned to smoke, drifting off into the air.
Casimir straightened out of his fighting stance and returned his blade to his back. He watched carefully as I breathed in through my nose and out through my mouth, getting my pulse under control.
“Better?” he asked.
I nodded then flicked my wrist to bring down the wall of flames revealing the two Shadows who’d escorted me to this area.
“Ah,” Phalen clapped his hands once, “so she let you live after all.”
“Go home,” Casimir ordered. “Both of you.”
Phalen blew a raspberry and Hugo shook his head. “We saw the wyvern fly away. Any injuries I should be aware of?”
“He never touched me.”
“Good. You seem to be in control so I’m going back. Send for me if you need a healer.” With that he turned and left.
“Guess that’s my cue to leave, as well.” Phalen gave a two-finger salute. “Send formeif you desire new accommodations.”
Casimir growled and Phalen hurried off after Hugo. Once I was sure they were out of earshot, I spoke.
“I can’t stay.”
The big Shadow’s body went stock-still. Red crept up his neck and I felt a burning sensation through the bond.
