Page 97 of Prince of the Phantom Sky

Skylar’s shock was addicting as she sat back, staring up at Kora with her slender throat exposed. Blood dripped from her cut lip, staining Kora’s new blade with its first drops of victory.

“Two, one,” Kora breathed, releasing her.

“Fighting dirty. Now you’re on a level playing field with Barron. You better get with the programme, K.C.,” Skylar pointed at Kora’s scar as she got to her feet. “Forget the same old moves. You’re in fate’s cycle, ever spinning, never ending. Your life begins and ends with you. You need to adapt to survive this world.”

You will meet your fate at the hands of your own.

Kora shivered, her neck cricking as her chin jerked at Thanos’ voice drifting through her mind. Raiden’s frown was glaring two training rings away, and he slowly approached.

“What are you trying to say?”

“I think . . . maybe you’re meant to be here in this moment,” Skylar carefully probed her busted lip. “There’s too many coincidences, too many similarities between how you are now, and before.”

And Kora didn’t believe in coincidences.

“Want me to shut her up for you?”

Kora’s mouth twitched as Raiden stepped into the ring, his broad form causing Skylar to appear small.

“Right, Little Sister,” Raiden patted her shoulder. “It’s time for a new opponent.”

Skylar’s eyes flared as she glanced to Kora, who gulped in return. Aryn appeared at the side of the ring, his shirt loose around his slender frame, watching intently as Skylar strolled to join him. Raiden smiled gently as he discarded his short sword, his muscles rippling beneath his tight shirt. Gods.

“Go easy on me,” he teased as he raised his hands, his large palms open. Kora nervously chuckled, suddenly aware of the sweat coating her neck, her palms turning clammy. Her stomach flipped as Raiden took one step forward.

Silence passed as neither of them moved, his stare unwavering as he bore into her. Kora bit her lip, and Raiden’s gaze dropped, his jaw clenching hard. She took her shot.

Her foot collided with Raiden’s knee, and he grunted as Kora pushed up, her elbow driving down to his shoulder. Raiden deflected with ease and she stumbled back, catching her breath. His palms followed, and Kora raised her arm, recoiling at the force of his spar. He was holding back, she could tell from the precision of his movements, but it still gods-damned hurt.

She went for his flank next, her fist vibrating off solid muscle. Damn. She barely had a moment to appreciate his physique as Raiden swept his leg and she collapsed like a sack of potatoes.

“Get up!” Aryn encouraged.

“Someone needs to beat my brother!” Skylar added.

Kora gritted her teeth in determination, rolling backwards before flipping up with ease. She’d discovered in her questioning last night, with her newfound long lifespan, she’d also inherited strength and agility. Except Raiden was the same, and his ability was tenfold.

Raiden laughed at Skylar’s comment, and Kora’s veins pulsed with the challenge, her water beast roaring for the win. Raiden’s attention snapped to her in an instant as Kora’s power crested, the familiar tingle in her hands telling her she was glowing once again.

With a running leap, she attacked multiple weak points in Raiden’s body, using the force to propel upwards until her legs locked around his neck, allowing gravity to bring him down to his knees. Wind toyed with her hair as they collapsed to the ground, the cushion of air softening her head as Raiden’s real hands slammed down on either side of her face.

Her chest heaved, realising her legs had slid down to his waist, interlocked and pinning him between her thighs. Raiden’s eyes were otherworldly, diamonds bordering on swirling stars as his chest panted in time with hers, his lips dangerously close to her own.

“I won,” Kora whispered, unable to tear her gaze from his, resisting the urge to nibble her lip for the sake of knowing he noticed it.

Raiden’s hot breath blew on her cheek and her legs trembled slightly, causing his body to tense. Oh gods.

“Are you sure? I’m the one on top.” Raiden’s voice was gravelly, the pitch low and catching in his throat. He swallowed, and Kora tunnelled on the way his throat bobbed, down to the peeking muscles of his shoulders through his shirt.

“So you are.” She matched his lowered tone and heat bubbled between her thighs, an aching simmer cresting until she was on fire, and there was only one way to release the increasing burn.

Boom.

Raiden jolted, untangling himself from Kora as she pressed her cool hands to her hot cheeks. As she sat up, her mouth dropped at the open doors to the arena. A dark shape hurtled towards her, heavy paws thudding against the ground, followed by two winding tails that wagged until she was dizzy. Droopy red eyes blinked as a drooling maw snuffled its way onto Kora’s lap.

“Conan?”

“You! I’ve been looking for you everywhere!”