Page 44 of Hero of Havoc

I don’t blame him.

But I instantly miss his presence when I turn to face my brother to find a pointed look on his face. Thankfully, his eyes can’t hide his amusement.

I brace for judgment.

“So, are you padding up or wasting my time?” He doesn’t wait for a response before he spins on the spot, heading back inside without a glance over his shoulder, while I remain frozen, gaping at his back.

That’s… not where I was expecting that to go.

Before he can call me out on taking even longer, I grab my bag and hurry inside.

It’s a nice change to find the room empty, save for my brother, and I make the most of it. As he suits up on one side of the room, I take the other.

The moment I slip my mask over my face, excitement blossoms in my stomach as I enter a familiar trance. Sword in hand, I make my way onto the mat, spine straight, fingers twitching, and the desire for victory thrumming through in my veins.

“I wonder how many sisters get to say that their brother enjoys swiping at them,” Hugo says with a chuckle from behind his mask, and I grin.

“I wonder how many brothers get to say their sister destroys them on the mat,” I retort, hating that I can’t see his reaction behind his mask as we take position.

“Are you ready for some fun?” he asks, and I nod.

“Are you ready to lose?”

“Oh, we’re doing trash talk, are we?”

I nod. “You know it.”

Our swords clang together before we fall into a rhythm, the tension thickening with every step we take around each other, the air so still it threatens to explode as our swords collide again.

The sound is addicting.

I chase as we go back and forth, moving in sync as time melds around us and sweat beads down my spine.

After the tip of his sword presses against my chest for the eighth time, I step off the mat with a huff.

I feel like a hot mess as I take my mask off, exhaling as I let my sword clatter to the floor.

“Maybe next time I don’t come with any trash talk, and then I might win,” I mutter, earning a snicker from my brother.

“You wish.”

I roll my eyes, taking off my kit and falling onto the bench with a huff. “I thought you were supposed to be nice to me on occasion and let me win,” I mutter with a pout as Hugo drags a hand through his damp hair.

“Please, you almost had me a few times there. I can tell you’ve been working with Teddy,” he states, and I shake my head.

“I can't beat him either,” I retort, and Hugo grins, taking the spot beside me.

“You'll get there. I don't know how, but you'll find a way; you always do,” he promises, and I glare at him as though that will solve all of my problems.

“I thought spending time with you would be fun. Now I’m doubting my decision.” Hugo cocks a brow at me, and I sigh. “Fine, that’s a lie; I’m just salty.”

“Salty or sweaty?”

“Both,” I retort, and he laughs. “Thank you for this, for taking the time to come and see me. I appreciate it.”

“I need to be better at it, but sometimes life is just…”

“Life,” I finish, and he nods, wrapping his arm around my shoulder as he plants a kiss on my head.