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Floating to the center of the ring, Kiara assumed the fluid stance belonging to the notorious warriors of the north, her feet spread slightly apart, her hands lightly held before her in loose fists. Her knowledge of their fighting style surprised me, and I wondered how she’d learned it trapped within the small village of Cila.
Her opponent supplied her with a meek smile. When he made a fist, his thumb incorrectly placed inside his clenched hand, Kiara shot one final glower at Harlow.
“Go on, recruits,” he cooed. “Fight.”
“It’s okay, Ki,” the boy urged. “Wounds heal.”
Yes, wounds healed, but lost honor wasn’t as easily mended.
Harlow had matched them unfairly on purpose. I’d seen him glancing Kiara’s way the entire trek to the capital. I hadn’t ruminated on why until now.
Kiara’s friend shifted, bringing his fists to his face, protecting himself. She squeezed her eyes shut, taking in a sharp inhale that echoed in the too-quiet ring. I could practically hear her indecision, the rampant thoughts racing through her mind. It appeared as if Patrick had been the only boy to befriend her, and judging by the way her jaw clenched, she struggled with the order to bestow him harm.
Her lids suddenly snapped open.
Before Harlow could issue a warning, Kiara advanced, delivering two jabs to the boy’s upper body. She held back her full force, that much was obvious, but even those softer blows sent him stumbling and falling onto his back.
Snickers filled the chamber as he feebly rose to his feet, resuming his defensive stance. Kiara cringed.
Closing in, she pummeled his chest, sweeping her legs beneath his and knocking him down for the second time in the span of a minute.
Dusting himself off, her friend climbed to his feet. Kiara flinched when she saw him grimace in pain.
“Recruit!” Harlow shouted, spittle flying from his lips. “I told you to fight. To fight without rules or mercy.” He motioned between her and Patrick. “There are no friends in the Mist. There are only beasts that wish to claw your faces and taste your blood. And here you are, holding back.”
He was right. I knew better than anyone.
Harlow advanced, his heavy boots echoing as he brought himself nose-to-nose with Kiara. Whether brave or just plain arrogant, she didn’t relent, didn’t turn away.
My heart rate picked up at the determination in her eyes, how she tilted her chin in defiance. I didn’t realize I’d drifted closer until the light of the ring hit my face. I couldn’t look away, let alone take in a full breath.
“No rules, eh?” she asked, her voice deepening to a violent timbre.
“No rules,” Harlow echoed, much to her obvious delight. Her canines poked into her full bottom lip as she smiled.
“Good.”
Ducking and swerving around the towering Knight, Kiara swiveled around to his back, serving him with a forceful punch to the ribs. For the first time since I’d known him, Harlow looked surprised.
His shock didn’t last long.
Spinning around, he slammed his fist into Kiara’s jaw, the force of it knocking her sideways.
A growl left me, but I forced myself to stay in the shadows. The sight of her bleeding face caused phantom flames to ignite within me, my very blood boiling. My nails dug into my palms as she righted herself, wiping the red from her still smiling mouth.
Harlow didn’t pause before he attacked, but thankfully, she swerved at the last minute, his fist sailing an inch from her cheek. Bouncing on her feet, Kiara dodged another rapid attack, ducking and twisting as she readied for her own assault.
A powerful punch—right to Harlow’s jaw. Exactly where he had struck her.
Delight crept up the back of my neck as a trickle of blood ran from Harlow’s bottom lip, his ensuing grin revealing a set of bloody teeth.
Gods, she moved fast. But she was reckless, too reckless to survive long among the Knights. Her impulsivity would get her killed.
Before she could gloat, Harlow clenched his fists, his body a blur of strength and speed.
I could’ve sworn I heard bones crack as Kiara flew into the air.
The chamber swirled and tilted around me, the chandelier lights muddling together into one continuous line as I watched her tumble into a heap.
