The glint of my sword catches the fading sunlight that filters through the trees. “What are you doing here, Alivar?”
“I’ve come for the human, of course.”
“You can’t have her.”
Alivar’s lips curl into a sinister smirk, a malevolent gleam dancing in his icy blue eyes. The air grows colder, as if shivering in response to the crown prince of seelie's aura of malice and cruelty.
“I hear she might be the Druid. You know, the one that was once promised to me.”
Shock rolls through me at his casually spoken words, but my face remains stoic, not showing any outward reaction. I have suspected she might be, but I haven’t been able to confirm my suspicions. Though that doesn’t explain how he knows.
“Who told you that?”
“Tsk, tsk,” he replies mockingly, running a hand through his white hair, the short strands standing up haphazardly. “One does not reveal his spies.”
Red hot anger burns through me at the revelation. My magic lights up every nerve in my body. “Even if she were the princess, she was never promised to you, and you know it.”
Alivar snorts, the air around him full of conceit. “We willsee about that.”
His hand sweeps outward in a swift motion, causing a chilling gust of wind to rush past me. The ground transforms into a glittering sheet of ice, rapidly advancing toward me. I swiftly dive to the side, feeling the cold air brushing against my skin, and easily roll to my feet, raising my obsidian sword, its weight reassuring, an extension of me.
As I explained to Everly, our powers are pulled from our magic, which is derived from the depths of our hearts. The blade I am able to summon from my magic is made of obsidian, a pitch-black volcanic glass that gleams with an otherworldly shine. Its edges are razor sharp, honed to perfection, and its surface is adorned with intricate carvings of ancient symbols. With each swing, it effortlessly cuts through the air, leaving behind a trail of shimmering black particles, like glittery shadows dancing in the moonlight. Its magical properties and mystical origins make it a formidable and deadly weapon, capable of piercing through even the strongest of defenses.
However, Alivar’s heart is cold and devoid of mercy. The only magic that comes from him is cold and harsh, freezing the once flourishing meadow into a desolate tundra, turning vibrant flowers into delicate ice sculptures that shatter upon contact. His icy touch can drain the warmth from any living being.
“She isn’t for you!” I snarl, feeling a surge of possessiveness and anger well up within me.
“What? Let me guess, she is yours?” His mocking tone has my jaw clenching. “If I kill you, then she will move on, eventually.”
With a fierce snarl, I swiftly advance toward him, muscles tense and heart pounding. The sound of my boots hitting the ground reverberates through our surroundings as I close the distance.With lightning speed, I bring my sword down, but Alivar, just in time, produces one of his own.
The fury of the dragon fills my veins and I roar, lunging forward. Alivar side steps and spins. I watch as he summons his magic and sends a ball of ice hurling toward me. Raising my arms, I slice at it with my sword, the obsidian blade cutting through any magic.
Undeterred, Alivar sends a surge of light shooting toward me, crackling and sizzling with malevolence, as it barrels in my direction. I raise an eyebrow at him, and I lift my sword in a wide arc, creating a shimmering shield that absorbs the deadly assault.
“Come, Alivar. It’s been a while since we dueled, but I thought you might have upped your game.”
With a flick of my wrist, a swirling vortex of wind and fire engulfs Alivar, the turbulent inferno devouring his roars of defiance. The scorching flames dance and lick at his skin, threatening to consume him, but his ice magic leaves him unmarred.
A gust of icy wind pushes away my flames, and Alivar glares at me as he strolls forward.
“Since when can you summon fire like that?” he growls.
I shrug, not sure if he’s actually expecting an answer.
“What’s the matter, princeling, can’t handle the heat?” I taunt, sending him a wink.
Alivar’s face contorts with offense, his jaw clenching and nostrils flaring. He throws spells at me, one after another, filling the air with crackling energy. With a swift motion, I raise my sword, slashing through each attack.
“Is this all you got, princeling?” I tease, knowing it will wind him up.
Alivar doesn’t disappoint. He always has known how to hold his own.
He stalks toward me, his own sword forming in his hand. Where mine is black obsidian, his is an icy white gem, like frozen water capturing the sunlight. I roll my shoulders and crack my neck before readying my sword.
Our swords collide at the center, creating a shower of sparks in every direction. Fire and ice clash with immense power. The force of our collision reverberates through our bodies, the impact fueling the adrenaline coursing through my veins. I quickly duck under his sword, feeling the rush of air as it whizzes past me. My feet barely touch the ground as I smoothly pivot around him.
I twirl my sword in my hand and smirk at Alivar. “Very nice. So, you have been practicing.”
