Page 187 of Never Kiss a Fae
But I couldn’t change what happened, nor would I want to.
I clawed at his fingers and spat, then crashed my arm down hard against his wrist and broke his hold. He cursed when I retaliated and swept behind him, wrapping an arm around his neck and putting him in a chokehold of my own. It would be so easy to call for his defeat as I weakened his airway.
Alas, I needed him to win.
So I said something I knew would set him off.
“You realize I only mated with Claire to save Exos, right?” I spoke the words without any emotion, needing him to believe them. And I infused the knowledge that I had considered that tactic several times into my expression. “Seems I’ve won.”
Titus roared, his fury snapping at the reins as his fire ignited, forcing me to release him. His elbow connected with my rib cage and sent all my air rushing out of me. I stumbled back and fell right along with Titus as he launched over me, knee on my chest and hand on my throat again. “Submit,” he demanded. “Or I’llendyou.”
Not bad, I thought. And as his fist nailed my jaw, igniting a series of lights behind my eyes, I decided this was good enough.
Conceding to him served so many benefits.
Including enhancing our elemental circle, something Claire badly needed.
And so, for her, I smiled. “I submit.” The words triggered the arena’s magic and froze us both in place, signaling the end of the battle.
Titus’s gaze narrowed, his palm releasing my throat. “You goaded me. Again.”
“Did I?” I asked, my voice hoarse.
“Bastard.”
I lifted a shoulder. Or tried to, anyway. The Fire Fae was big and on top of me.
“You let me win,” he added, a hint of respect coloring his features.
“Why would I do that?” I infused a bit of innocence into my tone, but it really came out as more of a rasp.
He shook his head, amused. “Next time, don’t hold back.”
“Next time?” I wasn’t sure I wanted another public duel. But sparring, I could do.
“Oh yeah. Next time I’m beating you in earnest, Royal Fae.”
“Wait, I thought I was your little king?” I managed to sound hurt. “I mean, here you are, straddling me and all…”
He punched me again for good measure, causing me to laugh as he practically leapt off me. “If I wasn’t exhausted, I’d challenge you again.”
I bounced up to my feet, grinning. “It’s like you’re flirting with me, Titus.”
“For fuck’s sake, man.” Vehemence colored his tone, but he was grinning, too. “Seriously, we’re doing that again.”
“Sure.” I gave him the requisite bow to acknowledge my defeat. “I look forward to it.”
Movement in my peripheral vision showed Mortus backing away as if he’d seen enough—or perhaps he finally sensed what we’d been trying to distract him from.
Claire had found Exos, his location just beneath her feet. And Mortus was already too late. He couldn’t mist, the power purely my own.
But what bothered me more was Elana’s absence.
This seemed like the kind of event she’d try to stop.
Alas, she was nowhere in sight.
Where are you, Chancellor?I wondered.And what have you been up to?
