She finished drawing all the water to her, the streams of it flowing around her like a snake wrapping around its prey. She placed her feet firmly apart and looked toward my covered face.
“Let’s do this,” she said, raising her fists, whichshe’dcoated in water as well.
A small smirk grew slowly across my face at her words.
I flicked my wrist once, causing a great ball of flames to come to life against my skin. The light from the fire lit up my features, and I could see the confusion written across Valenia’s face as she tried to process what she was seeing.
“Gladly,” I responded, then lunged for her.
Now that Valenia was more prepared—unlike whenI’dsnuck up on her—her skillsweren’tbad at all. Some moves she used reminded me of onesI’dlearned while growing up in Gatlyn Castle and being taught by some of the highest rankingnoblemalesand warriorsin the North. On the other hand, though, there were a few moments when I could see her true nature coming out as we sparred. She was scrappy—resilient. Shewasn’tafraid to play a little dirty if it meant she could win.
I liked that very much.
As we flitted around the balcony, lunging and dodging and throwing punches, I continued tostudyher. The way shekept her hair partially up at all timesso itcouldn’tbe used againsther, just in caseshe did find herself in a situation like her current one.I enjoyed watching the way she moved, which was much like the water she wielded.She ebbed and flowed just like it, always ready and willing to adapt to what she needed. And her eyes—they were constantly so sharp, so attentive. I felt like she couldhaveseenright through me if she really wanted to.
Though I admired the way she presented herself, Iwasalsogreatly enthused by the way the two of us seemed to complement each other as we moved around the balcony in a dance of sorts.
But that was a thought for another time.
“Come on, little warrior, is that all you’ve got?” I taunted her, though my voice came out softer thanI’dintended.
Valenia’s eyes met mine, and to my surprise, I thought I saw true fury resting there.
With that, she raised a hand and directed it at me.
Expecting another water spear to be thrown my way, I held my arms out, inviting her to do her worst.
The rage in her eyes remained as her hand began to produce sparks.
The surrounding air electrified in an instant, and thatwas when I realized just how much my Right Hand had truly been holding back.
Lightning wielder.
Despite the threat I was up against, Ididn’tfeel fear. If anything, the chaos of the situation made me feel more at peace than I had in a long while.
I kept my arms open and spread out, as if daring her to strike.
Though I could seeher hesitationin her body language. Her eyes were still like two flames in herskull,alit with that fury she must have kept buried deep inside.
I knew what that was like, after all.
After a moment, I closed my eyes and waited for the pain of the strike to hit me. I heard the buildup of the lightning, the crackle as it split the air in such close quarters. My vision went white as it passed through the air between us. Though,to my surprise, the pain never came.
I slowly peeled my eyes open to look at Val. Her hand was still raised in my direction, but her aim had been adjusted so her lightning must have gone up and over my shoulder, off to the side.
Realization dawned on me as I thought of how she truly could have ruined all of my plans just then—but didn’t.
“Why?” I asked softly, letting my arms fall back to my sides after pushing the cloak hood back away from my face.
“I am vowed to you,” she said, though suddenly, she wouldn’t meet my gaze.
“Valenia, it was just supposed to be a test. A stupid test, one meant toexamineyour fighting abilities—your abilities in general.” I took a step in her direction. And while shedidn’tback up, shedidn’tstep forward, either.
“You can justaskme things, Dimitri!”shesnapped, but quickly covered her mouth with a gasp. “Your Majesty. I apologize.” She dipped her head, looking towardthe ground.
In all honesty, I didn’t care much what she called me. I didn’t solely want to be her king anymore, anyway.
I slowly crossed the space between us, allowing her time to move away if shesopleased. When shedidn’t,I reached out and took her hand in mine.
