Page 37 of Empire of Dark
I crept to my right, and we circled each other. One moving in, striking, retreating, then waiting for the other to mount an assault.
It went on for a good half hour with little talk, mostly grunts, as we both took stock of each other’s skills. I could see her filing away just as much information on me as I was on her. Testing me with every turn, every swipe of her blade.
Ada was, quite simply, magnificent with a blade in her hand. She didn’t tire, her latest steps just as light and fleeting as her first ones. The ribbons of muscles along her arm flexing with just as much power—even more—than when we had started. She saw my attacks before I unleashed them, positioning herself by inches in the right direction to deflect and counter attack. Sogood, that I wondered if she had a bit of telepathy going for her as well that Triaten hadn’t told me about.
I couldn’t remember the last time I had fun sparring, but this was enjoyable. Almost making me forget I’d just ruined one of my best guards.
Her breath was panting just the same as mine when I swung down hard at her.
She deflected my blow, spinning around me and by sheer luck of being sent off balance, I caught her wrist as she moved past me.
The perfect angle, I twisted her arm back and she had to drop to her knee.
“Fucking hell.”
I glanced down at her. “You swear too damn much.”
“So you’ve said—blame the company I keep.”
She swung her heel into the back of my knee and it shifted my weight forward enough so she could flip her body and twist out of my hold.
“What company is that?” I asked as she jumped away from me, squaring up, and we circled each other, both of our blades poised to strike.
“At the Academy. Those young pups, it’s an f-bomb every other word. Like salt and pepper on eggs.”
I snickered, then set a glare on her. “Aren’t you supposed to be an example for the younger generation? You should do better.”
“Or you should accept less. Welcome to the current fucking millennium. Time to stop your priggish judgment.”
She struck just as I guffawed a laugh and her blade slid down the length of the dagger, barely stopping when it hit the guard. I circled my steel up and around her blade, twisting our arms together as I yanked her toward me.
Our arms were tangled, both of our weapons locked together until neither of us could move.
Stalemate.
Except we were close.
So bloody close to one another.
Our breath mingling, heating each other.
Her eyes went hooded, like she couldn’t stand the closeness but couldn’t force herself to pull away.
“There is no shame in it, Ada.”
“Shame in what?” The slightest whisper came from her lips and I could feel her body tensing, her blood pooling and pounding in her sex.
I set my face even closer to hers, the edges of my lips brushing against her cheek with my words. “Seeing me as something more than what you thought I was. Imagining what I can make you feel. Wanting me.”
She didn’t pull away. Didn’t deny the words.
No resistance.
My mouth crushed against hers.
Hell, she tasted good. Like summer and berries that had stewed in anger and frustration and need.
So good, that I needed more of it, more of her, and I opened my mouth, my tongue searching, exploring the depths of her. She didn’t resist, only parted her lips to me, willingly and pliant. Leaning into it.