Page 125 of A Whisper of Cinders

“Feather.” I startle, and find myself standing in the dojo once more, looking at a very annoyed Conláed. “Get your head out of the clouds. You’re up.”

A blush creeps up from my neck to my cheeks and I quickly enter the mat, catching Aramis’ wink that doesn’t help calm my galloping heartbeat.

Only then do I notice my opponent waiting for me. The other contestants were of course muscled, each and every one of them have probably trained most of their lives, their skill something I admire. But the male in front of me… Well, let’s say if we would meet in a dark hallway, I would take a run for it.

He is huge, I don’t even think he can fit through a regular door. He looks just as arrogant as Conláed, the air around him full of confidence I totally get, because what in the moon's name am I supposed to do against someone like him?

My throat dries out instantly, what is Conláed even thinking? I throw him a quick glance he — of course — completely ignores. I think I even prefer one of the viper women from the earlier combat. A ringing sounds and Conláed steps away from the mat. No time to back away now.

I move toward Daelan, but keep enough distance between us as we circle around each other. I need to find a weakness, in strength he can beat me easily, but my agility might be in my favor.

I try to bait him, make a feint in the hopes he will strike first. He sees through it and wipes my feet from underneath me. I only have a second to brace myself before the air is punched out of my lungs.

I try to catch my breath, but feel like a fish on dry land. He doesn’t advance though, waiting patiently till I recover. It’s a kind gesture, something that would not happen in a real battle. I quickly pull myself together and stand up.

Let’s try again. I manage a few punches this time, but punching against a brick wall would be more useful. So when he starts to strike back, I know I am done for. I can’t blame him, he was very kind up until now. But the kick against my ribs makes me stagger back and he misses the punch aimed at my face, but I wasn’t expecting his elbow against my nose, so when I hear a loud crack and feel warm liquid run down my mouth, I fall onto my knees, wiping away the blood and watch my trembling hands.

Movement at the edge of the mat draws my attention, and even though my sight is hazy, I see Aramis talking to Conláed, I faintly catch the words between them.

“…something.”

“She…handle it.”

“He is trice…”

I block them out, I don’t know if Conláed believes in me or not, but since I am not unconscious just yet, I have to keep going. I can do this. When strong legs come into view, I play the act of a tired victim and wait till he’s within reach.

My heart beats loudly in my ears and fire spreads through my veins.

I strike.

I move my leg in a circular motion, swiping his feet from underneath him and I am on him before he even hits the ground. His surprise only lasts a second and I am underneath him before I even realise it, taking another hit to my ribs. I try to move but his weight presses down on me and I am only tiring myself out.

So I stop and wait for his final punch, knowing there is no escape in the fist that is about to land on my face.

Fight, you know how you can beat him.

The words are silent, but it is what I needed to hear. The man I know only from my dreams ignites the fire within me.

I manage to get one arm free and catch his fist inches away from my face and push back. I feel resistance as he puts more force in it as well. But there is no stopping me now. I bring one foot up and push against his chest, wrapping my legs who are both free now around his neck and clench.

He gets up, still not tired, but the lack of oxygen that is now not flowing as smoothly to his head, makes him stumble, and I pull down hard until my hands land on the ground and I shoot him into the air.

I feel the impact of the landing through my whole body as I crouch down on the mat, breath heavy. Sparks fly around me and when I look up at Aramis and Conláed, the two still standing next to each other, all I can see is pride and…awe.

The whole dojo erupts in cheers and I look down at Daelan, seeing how he is still unconscious, and the adrenaline instantly leaves my body. I rush over to them, ignoring everyone around me and place my hand against his cheek.

His chest still moves up and down, which is reassuring, but seeing someone in this state because of me feels wrong in every way.

To my surprise my palm glows immediately and a couple of seconds later he opens his eyes again, taking a deep breath as he places a hand on his chest.

The guilt is all consuming and I release his face, turning my gaze down. “I am so sorry. I wasn’t expecting…this. At all, really. I have no idea where that came from.”

He blinks a couple of times before speaking. “I have trained since I was a young fae, I can estimate my opponent perfectly. Yet you, who seems so innocent and sweet, managed to surprise me.” He pushes himself up until he is seated and I quickly check to see if I might have hurt him in other places too. “So don’t apologise, Maily. I should thank you. I learned a lot from this too and if you ever search for a sparring partner, I would be thrilled to oblige.”

His friends come up to the mat and pull him up. He gives me a quick wave and walks over to the water fountain.

I let myself fall down on my rear and can’t help but smile. That went surprisingly differently than I was expecting. Aramis walks over and pushes a glass of water in my hands.