"Sight is impaired in his right eye," I cut him off, exasperated. Reaching out, I squeezed his arm. "Iknow, l've been stuck aboard a ship filled with hostility for a week now. You think I haven't been studying their weaknesses?"
His fierce demeanor cracked at that, a smile slipping through as he nodded, a reassurance more to himself than me. "Okay then, go show them the feral side of you, potion maker."
Stepping back, I winked despite the energy that hummed beneath my skin, practically vibrating with the need to win this. To prove that I was more than what this crew thought of me.
Merle had always said my need to fight would lead me into trouble I couldn't get out of one day, but I couldn't help it. Couldn't deny the excitement that left a thrill racing through me when Taven turned to face me. Perhaps he saw that eagerness lurking, the vicious delight that burrowed deep in the marrow of my being because his gaze narrowed.
Tossing a bland look towards Antoni, I stated, "If I win this, you'll allow the Prince to look at those maps he wished to see."
The Luanthian raised a brow, pointing a ringed finger towards Taven with a cruel smirk curving his mouth. “And if he wins, you'll be taking the eternal sleep at the bottom of the sea."
My eyes closed for merely a moment, my shoulders rolling, loosening.
One. A breath.
Two. Another.
Three. Quick and light upon my feet.
Four. The shadows called from deep within.
Pick the flesh from his bones.
To suffer the indignity of believing you are beneath him.
Claw his eyes from his skull—
When my eyes opened, they quieted, though I could still feel their indignant roiling.
"Begin."
Antoni's call was loud, forceful, and Taven didn't waste a second before his lumbering form was rushing forward, large hands swinging for my head.
I was quick to duck, to spin from his reach, a smile gracing my lips at the growl he loosed as he spun back to face me once more.
My mind was a blank sheet as I ducked and dodged each swing. My calculating gaze took in his form, the way a swing from the right hand was hesitant when his weight shifted to that weakened knee. I might not be a match for him physically, but I could tire him out, wait for an opportunity.
My arms came up just in time to block a blow to the side of my head. The force of it sent me careening, my steps faltering and a gasp escaped my lips as his hand gripped my braid, yanking me back towards him.
Prick. Playing dirty it isthen.
Unshed tears gathered in my eyes at the stinging of my scalp as I reached back, nails digging deep into his forearm and clawing down. With a roar his grip loosened, my fingers sticky and hot with blood. A distraction was all I needed. My elbow slammed back into his gut, his body hitching forward with a wheeze. My hair ripped free from his hold as I spun, hands latching to his shoulders as my knee came up, and a solidcrunchechoed through the air as it connected with his nose.
He stumbled back, hulking frame dazed and disoriented.
My breaths were ragged and my lungs burned as I shook out my hands. Adrenaline sparked every nerve ending as he straightened, a hand reaching to wipe the blood that poured down his face—a river of satisfying red. His stance shifted, now seeing he was no longer just facing down a girl with a wicked temper. Now he knew the warrior that laid in wait, his lip curling as he appraised me.
“I’m goin’ to enjoysnappin’ ya in half.”
I brought my hands up once more and tilted my head. “You’re going to have to catch me for that, sailor.”
He was charging again, my attention honing in on the tensing of his shoulder, the weight of his swing as he brought it down. I was wind and air and light as could be, my body weaving through time and space as I twirled just out of reach of every thunderous strike. Curse after curse fell from his lips as I danced to the rhythm of the ocean beneath my feet.
Until I wasn't.
Until my feet snagged upon something—but the deck had been clear only moments before. My confusion led to panic as the air rushed from my body, my wrists stinging from the attempt to catch my fall. I was rolling, trying to get back to my feet.
Too slow.
