Page 64 of Light and Shadow
“I think it’s perfect for you to use. It’s a lighter sword than anything else we have, but well made.” I test the blade before handing it to her. “Be careful, it’s quite sharp.”
She wraps her hand around the hilt and keeps the blade pointing toward the ground.
Leaving the fine leather sheath in the box, we head up to the deck.
Many stop to watch us. They’ve not seen Harper with a sword before.
Frowning, Jax crosses his arms and leans against the railing. It’s hard to say exactly what the warrior is thinking. Like my brother, Liam, he keeps his emotions and feelings under the mask of discontent.
Pulling my sword, I stand ready with the point directed toward her.
After a moment of thought, she imitates me. “Now what?”
“Have you had any defensive training?” I tap my blade against hers.
Keeping her grip, she backs up a step. “I took boxing and some martial arts classes at the gym, but never anything with weapons. Also, those classes never had the intention of harming anyone.”
“What were they for then?” Jax pushes from the side and steps closer.
She looks at him. “Exercise.”
I slap her sword harder, and it clatters to the deck. “Never take your eyes off your opponent.”
Shaking her hand, as there’s some sting in the vibration, her face gets red, and she picks up the weapon and holds it up.
Jax shakes his head. “You’re holding the hilt too tight. Keep a firm grip, but not a death hold. Never be rigid. Everything must flow from you, not be forced. These classes you took were hand-to-hand, I’m assuming. Think of the sword as an extension of your arm.”
The white of her knuckles eases and she cocks her head as if feeling the difference. When I step to the right, she counters to the left naturally.
It’s a good sign that she has some innate tendencies and the willingness to listen to instructions from someone she’s unsure of. Jax has not ingratiated himself. It’s not in his nature, but she recognizes his value as a soldier.
I attack and she blocks. Again and again, I go through the motions, slowly increasing the speed and strength of my attack. Left, then right until I jolt forward, unbalancing her.
She stumbles backward, her ass hitting the deck.
Jax smiles for the first time. “Not bad.” He helps her up. “Bend your knees more to stay centered. Don’t look at Aaran’s sword. Focus on his eyes, they will tell you what his next move will be.”
That adorable crease forms between her eyes as she rubs her sore bottom. “How will his eyes tell me anything about the sharp object coming at me?”
“Try it and see.” Jax steps back.
Those gorgeous green eyes stare into mine.
I slash.
Harper blocks.
Recognition dawns on her face.
Striking from the left, then the right, I move faster and try to put her off-balance again.
Feet light and steady, she blocks each move but continues to be backed into a corner.
“Good. Now attack, Harper,” Jax commands.
Panic registers in her gaze.
I knock her sword from her hand and leave the point of my blade an inch from her throat. “The enemy will not stop,mo chroi. You cannot hesitate.”
