A snivelling coward’s tactic.
But Gerard would not fall for that.
Meanwhile, Gerard was known for fighting with brute strength, meeting the other head-on without fuckingaround. That was how Gerard preferred to fight. But of course, he knew how to adapt.
So now he took his time, flying in circles but never letting Albert out of sight of his eye for a second. Albert kept glancing at him, as if expecting Gerard to charge.
But Gerard exhaled, wings flapping. They continued to circle each other.
Suddenly Albert swung around. He charged as if unable to wait for Gerard any longer. But instead of meeting the attack straight on, Gerard dove beneath him.
At the same time, he tucked in his wings and spun. He extended his legs and stretched out his claws. The sharp blades dragged along Albert’s under-belly, scales tearing. Red dripped from the wound. Then Gerard pulled back, swooped, and flew away.
Elias’s words echoed in his head.
“Make him bleed.”
Albert turned towards him, snarling and bearing his fangs.
Gerard didn’t hesitate for a single second. He flew straight at Albert. The dragon raised his claws, spreading his wings wide. He opened his jaws, preparing for the attack. But Gerard veered to the side, aiming straight at his wing. His claws latched on and tore the membrane. Albert bellowed.
“Make him hurt.”
Gerard didn’t give him a moment to recover. He pivoted and flew at Albert. Albert only had time to just turn towards him before Gerard smashed into him.
Wings tangled. Gerard’s fangs sank into Albert’s neck. At the same time, his claws bit into scales. He felt Albert’s claws scratching at his torso, but Gerard ignored it as his own fangs and claws sank deeper.
They plummeted towards the earth. Gerard released his claws and fangs and kicked back, shoving away from Albert and his grip. He flapped his wings as he rose.
Albert swerved, just managing to pull up before hitting the ground.
But Gerard wasn’t done. Angling his wings, he dove once again. He smashed into Albert, claws digging into his back.
“Beat that fucker into the earth.”
He drove the dragon down, and he hit the ground with a mighty thud. Gerard lifted his head and let out a victorious roar. Then he released Albert and took to the sky.
He spun through the air. He breathed fire as the crowd cheered. He flew round and round above the onlookers, their energy at witnessing his triumph washing over him.
On the field, Duke Albert, now in human form, walked away escorted by several healer doves. In the stands, people cheered. And there was Elias, clapping and gazing up at him, a smile on his face.
“Win for me.”
Gerard dove and landed in the middle of the field. He tucked in his wings. He shifted. Now a human, he crouched on the ground. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath, settling into this form once again. He stood and rose to his full height.
Elias sprinted towards him.
“My champion,” Elias said when he got close enough.
At present, no one else saw Elias’s face or could hear him speak. In the middle of the field, they were too far from the crowds. So that meant the words, Elias’s smile, and the pride glinting in his eyes, they were all for Gerard.
Gerard’s throat clenched.
Elias held Gerard’s belongings in his hands. But thatdidn’t stop him from wrapping his arms around Gerard’s neck and pulling himself up to kiss Gerard. But this time it was not a quick brushing of lips.
Elias’s mouth opened and moved against his own. Gerard gripped Elias’s slender waist and returned the kiss. The arms around his neck tightened.
All around, he heard the chants “Dragon Warrior” and “Lightning Prince.”
