Page 49 of Vicious Princess
When she sends a punch my way, I lean backwards and bend my back to avoid the fist without losing my balance.
Kata roars and swings again. She’s moving too fast, which is a good thing when the ground is solid and not working against you.
Not so much here.
I parry and block her punches, but she still gets in a few good ones to my face and one on my side as I slowly inch away from her. I don’t lift my feet from the honey. Instead, I press them flat again the floor and shuffle backwards.
Kata doesn’t notice it.
Or, rather, she notices it too late.
Just as she swings a fist at me, she loses balance. I’m just an inch too far away. Eyes wide, she swings her arms. To no avail.
The flaming honey keeps her feet stuck in place. She falls forwards on all fours.
“It burns!” Her voice is panicked when her palms sink deep.
It’s my time to strike.
Just as she looks up at me with a sneer, I punch her right in the face. The crack of bone as her nose fractures makes goose bumps rise all over my skin.
Blood pours down her face, onto the honey.
She’s trying to recover from the impact and get on her feet. I stomp forwards and kick her in the stomach.
The fury that surges inside me is cold as ice. Makes my whole body tremble. But I control it. When I kick her in the side, my breathing is steady. I don’t let rage rule me. I wield it like a weapon instead.
She groans and falls to her side.
I’m on her in an instant.
Fisting the hair at the back of her head, I slam her head into the flaming honey. That shit burns like a bitch. I know it firsthand.
I hold her face down in the honey the way she held my head underwater in that damn fountain. Her body thrashes, but she’stoo far gone into the honey to get out of my grip or even swing a punch at me.
Yet it takes a lot of effort to keep her in place. And just as much effort to pull her face up before she chokes on the fucking honey.
I don’t want her dead. I only need her to learn a lesson.
“Tap out, Nightingale!” Daegel’s friend shouts.
She’s desperately trying to catch her breath. I bring my lips close to her ear. “I suggest you start sleeping with one eye open, too. I’m here to stay, and I’m not afraid to get my hands dirty.”
“I tap out.” She chokes out the words.
I let go of her hair. Slowly, I rise to my feet.
First, I meet Daegel’s gaze. He watches me with an unreadable expression.
The rest…well, the rest of Ezkai and cadets watch me with mixed feelings in their eyes.
Awe.
Shock.
Caution.
Fear.
