Page 40 of A Kingdom so Crimson

"Stop pretending you're enjoying that, and let's go."

My eyes widened in surprise while my heart dropped with dread. I whirled around to find my rescuer from the previous night standing before me. His expression was filled with disdain as if appalled by my presence. He had forgone his cloak, revealing attire of brown leather, with weapon straps adorning his legs. A dark brown tunic accentuated his chestnut shoulder-length hair, fully pulled back in a tight knot. His amber eyes still blazed with an intensity that pierced into my soul.

I tried not to flinch at his gaze, pursing my lips. "What areyoustill doing here?"

A smirk formed on his lips, creasing his tan skin as he folded his arms over his chest, puffed with pride. "I'm here to ensure you don't do anything idioticagain."His last word came out with a bite, foretelling that if I did, he would rip my head off for it. "And to train youproperly."

"I didn't realize you were a nanny," I retorted, mirroring his folded arms and stance. He rolled his eyes at me before turning and walking out the door, the same one he had brought me to just several hours earlier.

"Don't make me drag you again…Eliah,"he mocked, waiting for me by the open door. Rage surged through me, crackling the air with intensity. I waited for it to erupt and tear me apart completely.

He merely grinned, stepping aside, and waited for me to move. With a heavy breath, I quivered with irritation as I advanced toward him. Wherever Levon was, he better have a very good explanation for this.

"Why would Ievergo anywhere with you?"

"Why would you ever go anywherewithoutme?" he smirked, before grabbing my arm again and dragging me outside.

"Let go!" I hissed, struggling to break free of his tight grip.

He finally released his grip as we reached the path leading to the back of the estate, heading toward the armory. The morning felt colder than usual, and our breaths were visible in the chilly air, rising from our lips like wisps of smoke.

He continued towards the weapons, striding with an air of superiority as if he were some self-appointed king. I couldn't help but roll my eyes and spit with disgust. He embodied thesame self-absorption that Jesri and Calum bled. Too full of themselves to give a care about anything but—

"Is sulkingallyou're capable of?" he jeered, glancing back at me as he halted beside a barrel of weapons. He yanked out a large sword, tossing it between his hands to test its weight and balance. His arm muscles flexed under its weight.

Suppressing my anger, I stormed over to him with heavy steps. "I don't train with strangers. And all I know is that you could be an imposter, misinforming me about whatever—" I cut myself off, realizing it might not be wise to disclose the Match with someone other than Levon. Folding my arms, I watched as he approached, his every move dripping with sarcasm.

"It's apleasureto meet you, my lady," he said, bowing mockingly. As he straightened up, he advanced toward me again, causing me to instinctively take a step back. "I'm Kaizen—there, now we're acquainted," he added, his voice lowering. "Now grab a sword," he growled.

"Tyran, please, help me not to kill him," I muttered under my breath; my lips pursed tightly as I marched toward the barrel.

Ignoring the swords, I grabbed a Footman's Mace instead. Its top was adorned with a row of uneven spikes that ran down into its center. Balancing it between my hands, I tossed it back and forth, mirroring Kaizen's earlier actions with a hint of disgust.

He narrowed his brilliant amber eyes at me, and I matched his stare and forced my face to remain impassive, hoping he wouldn't notice my discomfort.

Kaizen strode toward me, plucking the tip of his sword with a grin. "Fine, let's see what you can do with that," he taunted.

Before I could think, he struck, the mace reverberating against my arms. I stumbled back as another blow hit, causing me to lose my grip. In an instant, the mace went flying, and he held his sword up to my throat.

"Dead," he hissed, standing mere inches from my face. With a forceful push, he thrust me back. "Again."

He walked out and around, assuming a defensive stance with his sword held overhead. Anger struck at my heartstrings like a haunting melody, humming deep within and urging me to ignite into a fiery rage. I forced it down, remembering Levon's words and breathing techniques.I am in control.

Retrieving the mace, I swung it back and forth, letting the heavy metal pull me with it. He was unnaturally quick, I will give him that. But his condescending attitude needed to stop, along with that infuriating smirk. Gritting my teeth, I squared my shoulders and met his gaze head-on.

I struck first, throwing my entire body into the swing and slamming the mace into his sword with a resounding crack. He stepped back, retaliating with another strike, but I managed to defend myself and counter with a kick. My foot connected with his leg just before he stomped down to catch it, but I was too quick for him, so I lashed out again.

This wasn't a dance; it was a battle. Both of us unleashed the rage within, each blow resonating with fury. With each thunderous clash, the earth trembled beneath us, echoing like a stampede.

I struck hard, forcing him to stumble back. He smirked at me, arrogantly pushing back the strands of his hair before casually dropping the sword to the ground and rolling up his sleeves. With a flick of his fingers, he taunted, "Show me what you can do…orphan."

The fire within me surged, melting my insides and igniting like lightning as I let the mace drop. With a primal cry, I lunged towards him, letting the wind take my feet as I jumped into the air.

My fist slammed into his cheek before he could even finish speaking, sending shock waves up my arm with a sting. Idelivered another storm of punches to his arm and ribs, but he expertly evaded several blows. With a forceful shove, he pushed me away, landing a strike on my side that left me gasping for air. Stumbling backward, I quickly dodged his next attack, sensing him holding back and further fueling my frustration. In a swift motion, he swept his leg out, catching hold of my foot and sending me crashing backward in a heap. My face collided with a nearby rock, sending my vision spinning.

He pounced on top of me, crushing the air from my lungs as he grasped my wrists in one strong hand above my head and pinned his knees into my thighs. His other calloused hand closed around my neck, squeezing gently.

"Dead again," he breathed into my ear. I shifted my leg from his, my knee ready to strike his groin, but he quickly grabbed my thigh, pushing it down. "Definitely dead," he growled. I spat at him, feeling foolish as I squirmed in his grasp.

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