Page 142 of Bound By Darkness

“Why are you asking?”

“Beat me and ask.”

Heat curdled my blood at the laziness in his steps as I swung at him. He wasn’t even trying and I still couldn’t hit him. All that training and I still couldn’t do shit.

An exasperated yell rang from my throat as I met his blade, twisting my body close to his to escape another power attack.

A hand grabbed my waist, a yelp leaving my lips as Ivan tugged me close, my back pressing against his chest.

Cold metal pressed against my neck.

The cocky bastard had hidden a dagger.

“You’re cheating,” I hissed as the tip of the blade hovered above my neck.

“And you’re failing,” he whispered into my ear, his voice sending shivers down my spine as heat pooled where it shouldn’t.

The blade cut the side of my neck where the scar rested, a trickle of blood dripping down my collarbone.

“If I asked you to kiss me right now, would you?” His thumb brushed over the slight throbbing in my neck.

My knees nearly buckled at the sound, at the proximity of him. “No,” I breathed, my mind focusing on anything other than his hand resting across my throat.

“Pity,” he muttered as he spun me out, the dagger returning to a pocket at his side.

“I’m running out of questions,” he mused, his eyes assessing me.

I knew it was going to be difficult, but I’d expected to make at least one hit against him. I needed to keep my mind straight if I was going to find answers.

Tugging the blade close, I watched his movements as he circled me. If he lunged, there wasno way I’d avoid it.

He was too fast and skilled.

I dove first, my blade reaching for his exposed arm, but he turned, the blade striking air instead. I didn’t give him a chance as I whipped it around, my blade reaching for his torso.

To my surprise, he didn’t move as the blade sliced a cut into his side, blood seeping from the fresh wound.

“Damn,” he said, a crooked smile on his face.

“Bastard. You let me hit you!”

“I made a mistake.” His blade rested across his shoulder. “Are you going to ask me your question?”

My lips pursed together as I crossed my arms over my chest. “Are you going to be quiet so I can think?”

Ivan grinned. “No, but thanks for the easy question.”

My jaw slacked. “You manipulative ass!”

“I can’t help it if you’re getting distracted,” he mused, his muscles rippling as he swung the sword down.

Mine met his.

“You could always use your casting,” he said, his head lowering to mine. “I think I’d enjoy it, too.”

“Piss off,” I said as my sword slammed into his. My heart beat frantically at his words, at the message hidden beneath.

My head was roaming with thoughts of him... of us tangled together in the tree, his lips on mine?—

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