“I suppose not.” Cyph grinned and slid into that lethal side that lived within him. “Time to find out who truly is the best.”
It was an even fight, leaving us both panting halfway through. Cypherion fought with precision, noting my every weakness, but I fought with cunning. I favored my left leg when there was no reason to at all, and he fell into my trap. When he swung his spear at my left, I dodged, sweeping under his arm to bring the tip of Angelborn’s blade beneath his chin.
“You knew I’d mark that,” he observed. “That I would attack based on your faults, so you faked them.”
I shrugged. “Know thy opponent.”
“A great reminder, Revered.”
The fight with Malakai was barely a battle at all. I wasn’t sure if he was holding back or if I had truly grown that much stronger than him. Regardless, we had trained together our entire lives, and I knew his tactics better than anyone else’s.
With only a few swipes, his weapon was on the floor, and Angelborn was poised above his heart, hovering over the Bind.
“That was much easier than usual,” I joked.
He shook his head. “Having an off day.” He avoided my eyes as he bent to grab his spear, leaving me in the middle of the arena with a furrowed brow. But I didn’t have time to ask, because Tolek slid into his position. I was breathing heavily, my cheeks flushed, but I squared my shoulders.
“Let’s see what you’ve got, Alabath.” Tol set his stance.
I struck first, the adrenaline from my last two wins coursing through my veins. He met the attack, forcing me back a step. I growled, lunging again, but he met that strike, too. Like he was predicting everything I would do.
Because he was, I realized with hints of both admiration for his work and frustration for not having noticed.
“You’ve been paying attention?” I quipped. Our spears sparked.
“I wasn’t going to lose to you again.”
I ducked his next attack, sweeping my weapon out, but he dodged it. “No more cheater’s shots?”
He laughed, the sound spurring me on for another strike. And another. Each one was well met.
“There’s no forest creatures here to distract us,” he taunted.
“Don’t need them,” I panted, tiring from the combined force of three consecutive fights, “to beat you.”
I brought my spear around my body as if performing a flamboyant attack. If Tol had been watching me, he should have known the move wasn’t my style. I was a direct fighter, not a showy one. The distraction was quicker than he anticipated. Tolek had barely moved before my weapon was aimed at his throat.
“Yield?” I whispered, so low it was almost seductive.
He raised his brows and dropped his weapon. “I yield,” he barked, but then his lips split into a grin. “Well done, Alabath. Next time, I’ll get you.”
“Good luck with that, Tolek,” Malakai said, glaring at his friend, and Tol’s expression fell.
Malakai took my chin in his hand, kissing me softly.
“You were spectacular, Phel.” But the words were as stiff as the walls between us. He placed another kiss to my lips, and my heart stuttered in time with my shoulders tensing. Did I sink into it or turn away? These days, I never knew. His fingers flexed against me as if fighting the same battle.
We were so torn, the two of us. Walking through the footsteps of strangers. When Malakai pulled back, my lungs were tight. I shifted my chin from his grasp, sucking in a deep breath.
When I looked back, Tol had been replaced by the delegates, impressed with the skill of the Revered. Erista winked, and I smiled despite the conflict roaring through me.
“I want to learn to do that,” Vale whispered.
“That was impressive,” Esmond said. “I understand how you’ve made it to where you are today.”
I thanked him, warmth spreading through me at the compliment, but my attention was elsewhere. Cutting around the trio, I looked toward the staircase leading to the palace, but Tol was gone.
Chapter Eleven
