Chapter 97

Theodore

She came in fast and hard, cutting low and quick, faster than I expected. Faster than should have been possible with her still laboring under her bond with Violet. She aimed a solid kick to my shoulder, pushing me enough that my feet slipped and skidded across the ground. The sleeve of my shirt rippled with patterns of light as did her shin guards.

Someone let out a low whistle. The ache in my shoulder started to throb and I cocked an eyebrow at her, matching her prowling steps as we circled each other.

"No holding back, remember?" She asked, licking her lips. Her eyes filled with hips. "And watch the suit."

I scoffed. "You watch the suit. I'm watching something else."

Someone laughed. I assessed her stance. She seemed completely calm and unbothered. Calm, composed, and maddeningly self-assured. Battle hardened. I couldn’t help the grin that spread across my face, despite the situation. I wasn't sure who moved first, but suddenly we were rushing towards each other in a blur of movement. The crowd was gasping around us. Her movements were fast and precise, each strike was full of power, but I gave as good as I got, blocking what I could, evading what I couldn't. It made me realize more than ever that there was a gap between our level of training. The hairs on the back of my neck lifted. I saw or felt the air shift and slice around the edge of her blade before she had swiped at me with it. I darted back, evading the slash before drawing my own dagger. Her blade met mine in a series of sharp, metallic clashes that echoed in the air.

“You’ve gotten faster,” I said, blocking her next move. Pleased. She smiled.

"Imagine if I was at my full speed."

"Goddess help me and don't tempt me."

She laughed, slipping aside with some sort of fancy foot movement that had her nearly out of my sight before I could react. She came at me again, fast and hard, pushing me back with our daggers locked. I twisted and she followed the movement before grabbing my wrist, twisting and yanking me off my feet.

A cry of excitement went up as the ground became the sky for a moment. I grabbed on to her wrist, using her stability to land and attempt to throw her. She swung her weight and I tumbled to the ground, barely breaking free of her. She was on her feet again as I scrambled back and away from her.

She dropkicked aiming for my head, and I caught her ankle, grunting at the force she'd put behind it. Her eyes were glowing now, full of magic, almost manic as she looked down at me.

"Are you trying to hurt me, darling?" I asked.

She smirked, anchoring her tongue at the corner of her mouth. "Of course not, husband. I'm just having fun. Aren't you?"

I fucking was and I was hard a damn rock. I felt her hop and twist aiming a kick at my head. I let her ankle go, letting her spin around in air and rolling back until I get on my feet again.

I was almost certain there was grass in my hair, but it hardly mattered. I could feel the magic filling me up, easing my hesitance, goading me to meet her in combat with the same ferocity. The light bands on our foreheads—markings of our bond—began to pulse brighter with every strike and counter. I saw the glow reflected in her eyes and felt it calling to me.

I darted forward and she let out a squeal of joy, lunging at me and meeting me blow for blow. What I didn't have in speed, I had in strength. I deflected her blade, twisting to aim at her waist. She evaded and brought her dagger back around. I caught it on the hilt of mine and shoved. She spun around. I thought I could strike her, but she twisted in the air, landing another solid kick to my shoulder that knocked me aside.

I came out of it laughing and lunging after again. Our blades locked again and we pushed. She leaned in slightly, her breath warm against my cheek.

“You’re holding back,” she murmured.

“Maybe, but…" I panted, leaning closer until our lips were barely grazing. "You look damn sexy when you're trying to kick my ass."

"Bet, I'll have you on your knees when I do."

I groaned, stealing a kiss before she shoved me back with a laugh. The crowd cheered as we fought. The match becoming as much a dance as a fight. She was relentless, goading me, pushing me. The tension between us crackling like a live wire.

Finally, in one coordinated movement, we both struck—our blades flying from our hands and landing in the grass at the same time. The crowd erupted in applause as we stood there, breathless and staring at each other.

“Well,” I said, panting. "What happens--"

I yelped as she tossed me over her shoulder.

I landed in a heap and looked up at her, stunned. "Really?"

She threw her head back, laughing, a high joyous thing as she stood over me.

"Not to your--" she squeaked as I lunged up and tackled her around her waist. She laughed as she tumbled like children. Then, I had her in my arms, up on my shoulder spinning around as she kicked and beat on my back.

"You cheating little thing," I said. "It was first to disarm!"

"All's fair in love and war!" She cried. I scoffed, coming to a stop and finding Dorian and Seraphine watching us with the warmest expressions. The rest of the congregation was laughing. Owen looked outright disgruntled and Lucas looked like he'd exploded.

I set her down, keeping me hands on her hips. I kissed her forehead.

"We should do that more often…" I whispered. "Especially after you're at your full strength."

She lifted her head meeting my gaze. I grinned.

"Can't wait to learn that fancy kick."

Her gaze softened and she threw her arms around my neck. I chuckled swinging her around to the applause of the crowd. Dorian announced the match a draw. The light on her brow was blinding, but it was nothing compared to the glow of her smile, the light in her eyes as she looked up at me.

"You are the moon of my night."

Her eyes widened. Her mouth parted. She smelled like desire.

"What is it?" I asked.

Her eyes glimmered with unshed tears, before she shook her head.

"You are the sun of my day."

Her words struck me. I knew it wasn't… It wasn't the language of this country, but something else entirely. I drew her closer, nuzzling her and basking in the feeling of her pressed up against me.

"Would it be bad form to have sex in another noble's house?"

She snorted, pressing up against me, probably feeling how hard I was.

"Only if it's bed."

I hissed and turned away from her. "Go from me before I do something unrefined."

She laughed, catching my hand and pulled me off the pitch. Both of us recalling our daggers with an almost careless flick of our wrists and laughing. I escorted her to her seat and the attendant who had her skirt and jacket came over, offering them to her. She shook her head and asked that they be taken to our room. The nobles murmured amongst themselves, their voices a low hum of awe and approval. I took a seat on the side of the pitch with the rest of the men. Someone clapped me on the shoulder.

"You two will be a force to be reckoned with."

"Hell, they already are!"

“It's remarkable,” one alpha said, the silver streak in his hair catching the sunlight as he turned to the hosting couple. “It’s no wonder the Goddess favors you both. It was quite the match."

"I haven't see her that happy on the pitch ever."

I glanced across the way to see Violet leaning down so the young girl could touch the band of light on her forehead. I chuckled at that.

Nora

He looked furious, watching Violet on the pitch. Watching her with Theodore. He sat at the edge of the seating for the alphas with the alpha king and seethed. I swallowed.

This couldn't go on.

I pressed my lips together. I had to do something before…

Before he changed his mind, before everything I'd been working toward, dreaming of, came crashing down.

Violet might be happy with Theodore, but she was still basically being held hostage because of the bond and Darkmoon.

I didn't want to lose the luxury, but I had to make it so that Lucas wouldn't lose Darkmoon.

Before I could think more on it, the hosting alpha was talking again.

“Ladies and gentlemen, the first round of matches is ready to begin! As tradition dictates, multiple matches will take place simultaneously. In this round, we have Alpha King Owen and Alpha Lucas…” My stomach turned as he finished listing the names.