Folding my arms across my chest, I watch her from the other side of the ring as her gaze jumps around, searching for an exit.
“There’s no way out.” I call over to her. Flicking my wrist, I send out my Air Threads, sealing the space in silence so we can hear each other over the roar of fire, and I can’t stop the smirk tugging at my mouth knowing I finally have her cornered.
“What the hell are you doing here?” She hurls the question at me and plants her hands on her hips as her brows draw in. “And where’s Dave?”
I’m impressed.
A month ago, being trapped inside a cage of flames would’ve sent her spiralling. Now the fear only flashes across her face for a heartbeat before it hardens into anger.
Fuck, I’ve missed that face.
A dangerous throb builds between my thighs?—
“And why did we have to make this detour?”Cal growls, far too close to the surface of my mind.“We’re already late.”
Locking my jaw, I try to force him down, but I only just shifted back and he’s still everywhere—under my skin, moving through me like fingers of smoke, clouding my thoughts, my feelings, leaving every nerve he touches heightened and raw.
Even from here, even through the smoke, I can smellher. A bittersweet citrus scent that hooks something deep and possessive in my chest, making my fingers twitch before I can stop them.
Shit.
Maybe locking myself in a burning cage with the one person capable of shredding every ounce of my self-control while Cal is still prowling beneath my skin wasn’t the smartest idea.
But the pain of waiting has become unbearable.
I can’t fucking sleep knowing she’s still angry at me.
“I gave Dave the day off.” I reply, forcing my voice steady.
“Why?” she snaps.
“Because for the past seven weeks you’ve been avoiding me.” Uncrossing my arms, I cock my head at her. “You’re angry about something, and I want to know why.”
“Are you reading my emotions?”
“No. I told you I’d never do that again without asking.” Dry earth crunches beneath my boot as I start to edge toward her. “I know because I knowyou.” She shifts back instinctively but I clench my fist, pulling on my Threads harder and the blaze behind her grows, stalling her retreat. “You’re not leaving here until you tell me why.”
“And what makes you think I can’t force my way out?” Firelight spills across her emerald eyes as she narrows them at me, chin lifting in challenge and my pulse turns heavy, each beat punching through my chest.
God, she has no idea what she does to me when she looks at me like that.
“Well,” I murmur, stopping just short of her, “you’ll have to get through me first.” A sly smile pulls at my mouth as I fight the urge to close the final distance between us. “But I’ll tell you what—if you can make me yield, I’ll let you go.”
“But I have no magic. No Threads.” She gestures around us. “The cage contains draconite. How are you even using yours?”
“Because I’m merged with Cal and draconite doesn’t seem to affect dragons the same way it affects us.” I roll my shoulders, already feeling the anticipation building beneath my skin. “Besides, I thought hand-to-hand would be more...fun.” My grin widens as I lift an arm toward her, crooking two fingers. “I told you to find a way to let everything out. So come on... Let it out onme.”
She glares at me, and my gut knots as, for a second, I think she might back down. But then her head tilts instead, lips curling in a way that sends a crushing wave of need through me.
“If I remember correctly,” she taunts, “the last time we sparred, I walked off the mat while you were left holding your groin...”
A laugh slips out before I can stop it and my head falls back briefly. Why does everything feel so good, so right when she’s around?
Exhaling through my nose, I force my attention back where it should be, then run my teeth across my bottom lip and shift into stance. “Well, let’s see if you can do it again,Thorn.”
Across from me, Lyra mirrors the movement, squaring herself for the fight. She’s smart and knows she can’t overpower me directly, so she moves fast. Puffing out a breath, her arm feints high like she’s aiming for my upper body. I see through it immediately—I know she’s going for my legs—but the second her body moves into my space her scent crashes into me withsuch brutal force, it shatters my focus at the worst possible moment.
Then she drops.
