Page 70 of Rising Out of the Darkness
“You saw me last night,” I scoffed. “Still sticking with Freckles, I see?” He tossed his shoulders up in a shrug.
“It appears you’ve met our beautifully talented counterpart,” Liam said as the biggest grin I’d ever seen him have spread across his face.
For a moment, I swore Nayla’s cheeks flushed, but my line of sight was interrupted by something flying through the air. The rock that crashed against Liam’s chest sent him barreling backwards off the fence. A plume of dirt exploded around him, and we all combusted in a roar of laughter. Liam scrambled back up to his feet, trying to wipe off the dirt now caked onto his sweaty chest and back. He glared at Nayla as she strolled over, patting him on the chest.
“Always have to be on your guard,Captain,” she hummed playfully before returning to throwing daggers.
Liam growled under his breath as he stalked towards her. Killian shook his head as he followed them. Once again, I was alone with the prince.
“Are you ready for some more training?” he said, his voice gravelly.
Emboldened by my time throwing daggers, I strolled over to where he still sat on the fence. I gripped the bottom of his chin. “I think the real question is, Declan, areyou?”
His throat bobbed as he rolled his lips between his teeth. Delighted, I sashayed into the training ring.
I could feel the heat rolling off him as he stalked behind me, like he was preparing for the hunt and I was his prey. A shiver ran down my back at the thought, and I turned around to face him, preparing my stance.
“Not bad, Wildfire,” he cooed. “Raise your left arm up a little higher though, closer to your face.”
Pursing my lips together, I adjusted my arm.
“Good girl,” Declan whispered. Inhaling sharply, I tried to hide my visceral reaction to his words.
“There will be times where we might not be able to use our dynamis,” he instructed as we circled each other once more. “Like when you’ve exhausted your well of dynamis, leaving you without your gift. There may also be times when we find ourselves without a weapon. This is when hand-to-hand combat and physical strength become important. Let’s see what all that training with your father has taught you.”
In the next moment, he leapt towards me, aiming for a blow to the shoulder. I spun out of his path, in turn leaving his side vulnerable. Right where my fist found purchase. I jumped back before he could launch another attack on me. Smiling, he nodded in approval as we began to circle again.
We each made a few more attempts but continued to evade one another. Sweat dampened our bodies, our chests heaving for air.
At last I saw an opening, so I rushed to take it. However, I was too slow. Declan grabbed my wrist and whipped me around until my back hit his chest with a thud. With me caged between his muscled arms, he leaned down and whispered, “It was a good effort, Wildfire, but it will take a few more sessions before you can take down the Lord of Shadows.” The scruff of his beard bristled against my cheek, making me shiver.
As I thrashed against his hold, I searched my mind for a strategy from the multiple times I’d sparred with my father and Will. Frequently as they won, there had been an occasion or two when I had been able to take them both down.
With all my strength, I threw my head back into his, at the same time lifting both legs and kicking them back, right between his legs. Immediately, I was released from his clutches. His snarl was gargled as he hunched over in pain. I scrambled away, but I couldn’t contain the laughter that fled out of me. That onlycaused Declan to growl even louder as his eyes blazed with fire when they met mine.
An involuntary shriek left my body as he zephyred towards me so quickly I didn’t even have time to blink. The force of our collision was so abrupt that the thunderous sound radiated over the training ring as we cascaded into the ground.
Declan’s heavy body weighed me down, knocking all the air out of my chest. Gasping for the little bit I had left, I gazed upon the prince’s vicious smirk. He rolled off me with a huff, wincing as he rose to his feet. Sweat glistened down his body, and he extended his hand to help lift me up.
“Almost, Wildfire.”
He towered over me, smirking, thinking that he had bested me once more. Little did he know I had one more trick up my sleeve.
I swung out my leg and swept it underneath his feet. The look of pure shock and terror would forever be embedded in my brain. I watched with glee as Declan fell back into the dirt with a crash so hard you could have probably heard it echo against the walls inside the castle.
Shouts and whistles rang out from behind us. Killian and Liam were shouting praise, and Nayla had a huge smile on her face as she jumped up and down alongside of them.
Pain radiated throughout my entire body, but I managed to pull myself up onto my feet. I strolled over to where Declan lay in the dirt. He groaned a little, palming his face. When his eyes met mine, I couldn’t help but smile down at him. The muscles in my legs cried as I squatted next to him. Leaning down close to his ear, I whispered wickedly into it.
“Never underestimate your opponent, dear prince.”
The corners of his eyes crinkled, and a smile tugged at the corners of his lips.
“By the gods, who knew our little lady had it in her. She knocked the great Shadow Lord straight on his ass!” Liam slapped his knee.
“That deserves a few rounds of drinks.” Nayla tossed her arm over my shoulder. “What do you think, Elena? For once, we all have a day off at the same time. Let’s introduce you to the City of Shadows tonight.”
“That is if the prince can walk that far.” Killian smirked over at Declan.
