Page 160 of Ravenrose

Across the ring, Theo grins like he’s been handed an early Solstice gift.

“Oh, this should be fun.” I can hear the grin on Hayes’ face.

“It’ll be something,” I mutter, regretting not working Theo’s blood into my rune spell. Unlike me, Rowan can hurt him. And judging by that look on her pretty face, she’s going to hurt him.

After seeing her take down man after man in my command, I have to ask myself if it’s wise to unleash the little menace on my best friend. But the way Theo’s swaggering around the ring with all the confidence of a prince of his position… with that cocky-as-hell smile on his face… I can’t say he’s not asking for it.

The fading sunlight above glints off of his golden hair while he rolls his shoulders back lazily, nonchalantly sizing up his opponent.

“Careful, Princess. I’d hate to bruise that royal ego of yours.”

Rowan arches a brow. “I’d hate to bruise yours,” she says sweetly—too sweetly. Her head tilts to the side as she lets her eyes roam over him. “It seems fragile.”

Wyatt snorts loudly.

Theo presses a hand to his chest in mock offense. “Princess, you wound me. Ayer, you hear this disrespect?”

Rowan just shrugs casually, her stance relaxed, playing into Theo’s attempts to disarm her. Though when her eyes flick to mine, I see the mischief there. Theo may finally have met his match. The corner of my lip ticks higher.

“Don’t say I didn’t warn you.”

I shouldn’t be worried. Theo and I trained together; I know what he’s capable of—yet still I find myself shifting on my feet, my attention sharpening despite myself.

Theo makes the first move, of course.

Rowan dodges him easily, going on the defensive.

Theo attacks again, but pulls his punch.

First mistake.

Rowan’s eyes sharpen. She saw it too.

I sigh, having just watched Wyatt and Hayes do the same.

Rowan continues on the defensive, allowing Theo to have control of the fight, even letting him land a few hits on her.

Theo grins, pressing harder, thinking he has her on the edge, not realizing she was only toying with him.

Her eyes find mine just before she flips the switch and goes on the offensive. She moves fast and efficiently. Her strikes don’t carry the same brute force as ours, but she knows exactly where to hit. Ribs. Knees. Throat. Pressure points. And never the same place twice.

Soon, Theo’s scrambling to stay on his feet.

Wyatt and Hayes cheer the princess on from the sidelines, happy to watch Theo get served for once. Moons know his ego needed the check.

Rowan’s relentless; once she went on the offensive, she didn’t yield. No hesitation. No mercy. Moving fast and hard, she doesn’t even allow Theo to get in a full breath.

The prince’s cheeks burn red with exertion, frustration dancing in his blue eyes. Having been his sparring partner for years, I already know what his next move is. But then again, so does Rowan.

Theo launches himself at her, wrapping his arms around her middle and heaving her off the ground, with every intention of slamming her back onto it.

But instead of fighting his hold, she leaps into it.

Clever.

She twists around his body before he can lock down the hold properly, using his own weight against him. A second later, Theo’s eating dirt.

I fold my arms tighter to hide the smile threatening to break free.