Page 21 of Warrior

King inspected each one carefully before passing them to me.“They’re sharp.Secure them in your straps, but we won’t be using them today.”

The clang of metal rang as swords collided nearby.The sound had me questioning what exactly I’d signed up for.

“Afraid I’ll cut myself?”My tone was fully edged with indignation.

“No,” King replied, a faint grin tugging at his lips.“I’m worried you’ll cut me.I thought we’d work on the combat skills Boot started teaching you.”

The mention of Boot sent a quick sting of sadness through me, one strong enough to make Ms.Beast stir.I shoved it down and focused.

“You want to do one-on-one combat with me?”

“I do.”He nodded with a regal air that made me want to smack him.He backed up a few steps, creating space between us.

“Go ahead, try to kill me,” he said with a smirk, motioning with his fingers for me to bring it on.

“Either you think you’re that good or you think I’m that bad,” I shot back, fighting to keep the smile off my face.No way was I going to let him intimidate me.

His lips curved into a devastatingly sexy grin that nearly stole my breath.I refused to let it slide.

“You should smile like that more often,” I said, taking a step forward.“It doesn’t diminish your badassery in the slightest.”

“Badassery,” he repeated, his tone holding a hint of a challenge.

He thinks he’s all that.And the strangest thing is, I’m starting to feel the same way about myself.It’s not just the physical changes from shifting; something has shifted mentally too.I’m unafraid, bold even.The thought of drawing blood excites me, and the idea of showing King up makes my beast purr.I haven’t tripped over my own feet in days, and the new confidence coursing through me is addictive.He’s worried about my balance, but for the first time in my life, I feel it's perfect.

“Yeah,” I said, letting the grin I’d been holding back spread across my face.“Look up badassery in theConan the Barbariandictionary, and you’ll understand.Maybe.”

He didn’t get a chance to laugh because I moved first, striking out with a perfect sidekick that connected with his head.Boot would’ve been so proud.

King stumbled back, managing to stay on his feet, but blood welled from a fresh cut on his lip.

Oops.

He shook his head, clearing the cobwebs, and I extended my hand, giving him a little mocking finger wave.

He didn’t take it well.

Bending low, he moved fast.Too fast.

The air left my chest in a whoosh, and I was flat on my back with the Goliath, known as King, sitting on me.

Months ago, I wouldn’t have had a clue what to do in a fight.But King seemed to have forgotten I’d been training.Boot inadvertently taught me how to defend against Shadow Warriors, and I paid close attention.Now that my body was cooperating, I allowed muscle memory to take over.

My knee came up hard.With all the strength my enhanced body could muster, I rammed it into his lower gut.

The air rushed from his lungs, and he let out a grunt far more satisfying than mine.

For a brief, glorious moment, I felt victorious.That ended when he landed on top of me, squishing my chest with his.

I gasped for breath, but I couldn’t resist taunting him.“You okay there, baby?”I groaned through the pain.

“Fathering children has officially been taken off my to-do list,” he wheezed.

A laugh escaped me as he rolled off, struggling to his feet.He extended a hand in my direction, his face a blank mask.

“I’m tapping out,” he said, when I didn’t take his hand.“Come on, I don’t bite.”

“Yes, you do,” I replied, but allowed him to help me.With a swift tug, he pulled me from flat on my back to standing.My ribs ached, and it hurt slightly to breathe, but I kept those small details to myself.

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