I ducked and swung. As I hit the underside of Bale's forearm, I also bashed into his chest, using my momentum to send him tumbling while I continued smoothly on, then spun to face him. I heard Bale grunt. Then I paused.
He was bleeding from his forearm. That was expected. But he also bled from his nose. I hadn't hit him that hard and definitely not in the face. So, it had to be one of the Elements.
“He'll be fine, Ember,” Water said. “It's just a little imbalance in his blood. He's already healing.”
“Strike now, you fool!” Earth roared.
I ran and leapt, coming down atop Bale. Or where he'd been.
Bale was fast too. He rolled away and came up behind me.
“Duck!” Air shouted.
I ducked, tucked my sword in against my belly, and did a roll too—right into Bale's legs.
Bale went down with a startled yip. I bashed an elbow into his belly and used it to push myself up. Before I could strike again, Bale jumped to his feet and bared his tiger fangs. I punched him in the face with the pommel of my sword while hewas busy trying to intimidate me. His head spun and blood flew. It was a merciful move. I could have slashed his throat instead, but I was still hoping for a non-fatal win. I danced away, keeping light on my feet as Rath had taught me.
But I wasn't light enough.
“Ember!” Fire shouted just as I took a hit to my thigh.
And Bale didn't hold back. He was probably mad about that punch. The slice went deep, and I went down. Bale followed me, his teeth still bared and his sword lifted. With his weight pinning me, there was nothing I could do. I had let myself get caught, siding with sympathy instead of common sense. Fuck. I was going to die there. I had wasted destiny on this dumb fight, and I wasn't the only one who would pay the price. All of Var would suffer.
“Push!” Air shouted as he swept between us.
I bucked up against Bale's chest and he went tumbling away, his eyes wide. It was surprising, I'm sure, but he didn't go that far. It was still believable. I used the opportunity to strike. Swinging my sword in an arc, I rushed him and brought it down.
Bale was gone.
Not only that, he also managed to grab my wounded thigh on his way past. I cried out and went to my knees.
“I got you,” Fire said.
“I'm here too,” Water said.
My wound warmed and the blood flow stopped. My immortality was kicking in, but that wasn't all that was happening. The Elements were healing me and numbing thepain. I stood up and turned to face Bale, steady as when we started.
“Here's a little something extra,” Earth rumbled.
Power rose through my legs and into my muscles. I took a deep breath and felt better than I ever had before. My vision seemed clearer. I could smell things I didn't usually notice—the musk of tigers and fresh soil. I didn't bother with test swings this time. I just rushed Bale.
Bale moved. I saw his feet shift. But then they crumpled under him, and he went down again. Tripped over his own feet. That's what it looked like. Bale made a shocked huff as he hit the grass. And then I was there, sword falling, and he had just enough time to roll over and face his death.
I stopped the sword just above his neck, the tip nicking his skin. “Yield.”
Bale blinked.
“Yield or die!” I roared.
Blood dripped down the side of Bale's neck. Not because I moved the sword. He had moved his head. The Tiger Ladrin was baring his throat.
“He yields, Ember!” Vex shouted as he leapt over the rope. He ran to me, waving his arms. “Stop! That's the sign that he yields.”
I lowered my sword before Vex reached me, and then I tossed it to the ground. Before Vex could hug me or whatever he meant to do, I leaned over Bale and offered him a hand. “You were one of the best warriors I've ever fought. And I've been trained by wraith lords. Well done.”
Bale's dark brows rose over a pair of golden eyes. “Thank you.” He took my hand and let me help him up. “And you were . . .” He shook his head, then lifted the hand he was still holding. “The challenger has passed the test!”
The crowd, so silent until then, roared and pounded their feet, creating the cacophony I had expected to accompany the fight. There was no resentment over my win, only acceptance. Acceptance of my triumph and into their clan. I was one of them now. I'd done it.
