Page 42 of King of Fire and Flames

“If you like. You always professed to despise the activity, so I’m more than happy to oblige.”

He barked out a laugh. “Oh, I never despised doing anything with you, Leaf.”

“Shut up and fight me,” I hissed, furious at his repeated use of the stupid slave name he’d given me.

Without warning, Arrow moved swiftly, deliberately, his blade glinting in the sunlight. I skipped back and to the side, slipping behind him. My heart pounded as he whirled around, a wild storm raging in his eyes.

He was stronger, but I was nimbler.

Arrow lunged forward, his strikes powerful. I moved out of their force with speed, destabilizing his balance, our grunts and curses causing roars of delight from the Fire Court.

We moved close again, then broke away. It was a game, and he loved toying with me, prolonging his fun.

The smell of the desert still clung to his clothes, and his own scent—warm skin and sandalwood—made me dizzy. I shook my head and gritted my teeth. No swooning allowed today. This was a battle, not a lovers’ reunion.

I whispered the Mydorian battle chant under my breath. By branch and root, soil and stone, lend strength to muscle, heart, and bone. Crush all to live. Conquer and prevail—

“Mydor blood will never fail,” finished Arrow.

“What?”

Our blades slid and entwined in a furious clash of steel until he twisted his wrist and locked the hilts together, his warm breath ghosting over my lips. My own breath snagged in my throat as Arrow clenched his teeth and tugged me closer. “I never wanted this.”

I parted my lips and pretended to fall into him, as if I were about to kiss him. The risky tactic worked, and in confusion, he frowned, loosening his grip on the blade. I whipped my long knife in a figure-eight pattern and stepped slightly back, releasing the bind.

“Didn’t you?” I asked. “Then perhaps you shouldn’t have sold me to the Sun Realm, then.”

He advanced again. “You’re a fool. You’ve never been able to see what’s right in front of your face. Never seen me clearly.”

“You’re right. I’ll always regret that I didn’t see beyond your fake smiles and sweet lies to the conniving demon beneath them.”

Arrow’s eyes darkened, and he relaxed his forearm, pointing his blade toward the ground.

The crowd roared out taunts and gave the Storm King bloodthirsty instructions.

Kill her. Kill the human. Remove her guts and throw us the tender entrails. Show us who you really are.

Chapter 13

Leaf

My shoulder blades hit the Ashen Souls’ gates, and without turning, I reached behind me and fumbled for the latch.

In a fake, courtly gesture, Arrow turned a palm up, directing it toward the forest beyond the arena walls. “Please go ahead. I’m sure you recall how much I enjoy chasing you.”

Thunder clapped directly above us, heavy rain beginning to fall as I slipped through the gate and ran for my life.

I stumbled and fell, sliding along the ground on my butt. I heard Arrow behind me, not running, but just calmly stalking me like the predator he was. I knew I couldn’t beat him in hand-to-hand combat. He was nearly twice my size and three times as mean. Even so, I’d make him work for his victory.

I leaped up and darted forward, feigning a thrust toward Arrow’s heart. He parried the blow, his blade scraping the air in front of my cheek.

As he fought, his eyes turned the color of thunderclouds, a dark and violent gray. We shuffled forward and back, circled giant tree trunks, while frustration boiled inside me. He was too damn strong, and all I could do was duck and weave fast, once even skidding between his legs.

Still toying with me, he laughed when I popped up behind him, then laughed harder when I stabbed his arm. His boot grazed my thigh, sending me stumbling backward.

Rain and blood streaked his skin, and Arrow continued to laugh as if he was having the time of his life. Or losing his mind. Mad prick. He hadn’t changed a bit.

But neither had I.

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