A Song of Ice & Shadow

Part 18

"I wouldn't say anything. They'd already be dead" he said coolly with confidence.

"Then how is it that you still haven't managed to land a single blow?"

Before he could speak, Y/n twisted out of his hold, catching him off guard and flipping him onto the ground. She straddled him, pinning his wrists above his head. He could've easily broken free, but something held him back- something about the fire in her eyes, the way her chest heaved with exertion.

"Guess I should've seen that coming," he grinned up at her, his tone both impressed and amused.

Frustrated by his restraint, she punched him somewhat harder than necessary in the gut before standing, earning a groan from him.

Although this was a nice change, one she might have enjoyed under different circumstances, she wanted the pain, not the pleasure.

Azriel propped himself up on his elbows as she stood over him. The blow had clearly taken him by surprise, but there was also a spark of something else in his eyes- something that made her heart skip a beat.

He lifted his hand, silently asking for her help to get up. Without a second thought, she grasped it. But the second she did, he moved, swiftly and decisively, reversing their positions in one seamless motion. A startled gasp escaped her lips as her back met the floor in a controlled, almost gentle landing, his grip steady, ensuring she barely felt the impact. His weight pressed just enough to keep her pinned, his body hovering over hers, his shadows coiling lazily in the air between them.

"That's cheating," she protested, eyes narrowing at him as she swallowed hard.

"Tell that to your opponents on the battlefield," Azriel murmured, throwing her own words back at her.

"I wouldn't extend my hand to my enemy," she shot back, "but I'd drive a knife through their head." She managed to wriggle one arm free, just enough to grab Truth-teller, the dark blade sheathed at his side, and pointed it at his throat.

"That's cheating," he repeated her words back to her again, a grin spreading across his lips.

Y/n lingered, her grip on the dagger firm. She nudged the blade closer to his skin, just enough to draw a thin line of blood. Azriel's gaze remained steady, unfazed, as if he was daring her to go further. "Do you enjoy the sight of blood?" he asked, shadows curling subtly around his shoulders.

"You have no idea," she murmured teasingly.

In one swift movement, Azriel grabbed her wrist, disarming her and tossing the blade across the floor. However, she didn't give him time to think; she kneed him sharply in the abdomen, forcing him to move just enough for her to slip out from under him and jump to her feet again.

"I'm starting to think you're not as strong as everyone says you are," she taunted, breathing heavily.

Azriel's expression hardened, his eyes darkening as a grin curved his lips. "Fine, you want to play? Let's play." He got back into his fighting stance, a determined glint in his eyes. He'd warned her but she wanted violence." That was just a warm-up."

He moved swiftly, striking with a quick jab aimed at her midsection. Y/n blocked it but felt the force of his strength reverberate through her arms. She countered with a kick to his thigh, which landed solidly, eliciting a grunt from Azriel. But he was relentless, retaliating with a series of rapid punches, one of which finally connected with her shoulder and knocked her off balance. She staggered back, the impact making her wince slightly. That was going to leave a bruise.