She stepped toward me, too.
Taking a slow breath in, I connected with all of the shadows I had wrapped around her, coating my female's skin.
I obviously wouldn't be swinging at her, but I could take a couple of punches for the spectators' entertainment. My shadows couldn't really hurt me, so it wasn't going to matter.
Her body moved smoothly as I sent her fist cracking at my nose, and used my shadows to cushion the blow. I'd caught her entirely off guard, and the shock in her eyes told me she hadn't realized what I was doing until my head snapped backward with the light impact.
I'd dramatized the blow, but the people around us didn't give a damn.
Merrily's shock turned to understanding when she saw the shadows coating her skin, clinging to her in a new way. Her gaze lifted back up to mine, her lips curving slightly.
I winked.
The crowd exploded, and I vaguely heard the announcer's suggestive comment in the background.
I gave it a few seconds before I used my shadows to send Merrily's arm in a smooth uppercut, taking my chin. The shadows absorbed the impact of the blow, of course, preventing her from feeling a thing.
My head went backward again, and her smile widened as she shook her head at me, not sure whether to be amused or annoyed.
I could feel every inch of her with my shadows, and I could fight in my sleep. It took little effort to take my mate to the ground after a few more blows, cushioning her fall with my hands and shadows.
Her chest rose and fell violently against mine as she caught her breath while pinned beneath me, our eyes locked together and her lips stretched broadly.
"You're ridiculous," she said with a laugh.
"Maybe you need some ridiculousness in your life, Death."
"Maybe I do."
I barely heard the people around us.
Was barely aware of the massive stadium we occupied at all.
Lowering my mouth to hers, I kissed her.
Lightly.
There was still time left in the round, and she was supposed to beat me.She wanted to make a point, and she was going to make it.
I ended the kiss and rolled her on top of me.
The sounds around us were nearly feral, but I paid them no mind.
She straddled me with her hands on my chest.
"Are you going to let me win this easily?" she teased.
"Nah. You'll have to earn this victory."
She laughed when I took control of her again and raised her fist, sending it flying toward my face.
We rolled, and grappled.
It was wild and rough, but neither of us was injured, despite the way it must've looked on the screen.
Merrily held me pinned as the buzzer went off again, ending the fight, and I raised my voice loudly. "I submit to the Queen of Death. My mate defends me with her magic, and I defend her with mine."
I didn't release her from the shadows. Not immediately.
