I twirl my hair into a bun and tuck it end underneath the tie, holding up my hair, as Valoukai and I head to the clearing.

"I won't be too hard on you, but be certain I won't let you win," Valoukai says in a low voice, ensuring no one else hears us.

A corner of my mouth lifts. "Show me your worst, Prince." I single out a double-bladed sword, firmly gripping its middle, covered with leather, as I move it around to get my arm used to the weight and size of it. The metal parts are silver and I lightly run down my fingertip over the edge of the blood. They've also been enchanted not to cut.

Valoukai picks his long sword back up and waits in the centre of the earthy ground for me.

I take my stance across from him and from the corner of my eye note everyone's intrigued gazes latched on us.

"You really think you can win against me?" he mocks as he rounds the area. Slowly, I round the other direction.

Moving in a circle, I keep my weapon in front of me just in case he decides to suddenly attack. I'll be able to block him on time.

"With ease," I smugly reply.

His features pinch together and the next moment, he charges to me.

Bringing up his sword, he attempts to stride my neck, but I swiftly block his blow. Not being deterred, he instantly moves to stab me in my stomach, but with a nimble shift of my blade, I block that.

For the third time, he targets where I'm holding my weapon from. Bending my knees, I whirl the double sword and crash it against his long sword, taking him by surprise. Using this element of shock, I snatch my opportunity and fight him back.

Relentlessly I aim his arms and legs, twirling and spinning my weapon, striking with all my might only to be stopped with his sword.

Soon we're both panting, but neither of us has landed a direct blow on the other one.

We circle each other for a beat before pouncing. This time around, I dare to move closer to him. Even though puts me at a higher risk, I'm willing to test.

He comes for my neck and I stop him, our weapons crashing so hard the vibration travel up my arm. Instead of backing away for striking one more time, he keeps pushing on me, causing me to tumble a step back.

My face pinches with anger. He's using his brute force now that swords are not granting him a win.

Grunting, I hold my ground even though he ruthlessly pushes me down. A single drop of sweat slides down my neck as we glare at each other. Once he's close enough, I shift my blade, pressing one side of it to the ground for balance before I kick just below his right knee, his dominant leg.

He loses his footing, diving headfirst to the ground. Taking my opportunity, I land the wide side of my blade on his back, throwing him to the ground. He groans but latches his hand around my ankle pulls in the other, causing me to tumble down.

We roll over and jump to our feet, dirt sticking to our clothes and our breaths rasping in and out of us as we circle each other again.

I don't let him make the first move. Holding my weapon as though I'm going to strike him with it, I storm to him. He brings up his sword to block my blow but instead of hitting him; I slam the edge to the ground, using the force and the blade. I jump up and kick him hard, throwing him off again.

I crash with my knees to the ground but get to my feet on time as he ferociously charges towards me. I block his vicious blow, but the force causes me to stumble a step.

He locks my sword with his in an attempt to disarm me.

I tighten my hold and push back, forcing his wrist the other way.

"I'll kill you if you force me to mate with you because of this stupid deal," he growls.

I'm half tempted to knee him where it'll hurt the most, but I'm not that desperate yet.

"Say as you will, I'll do what I came here for," I breathe out, barely keeping up with his constant try of loosening my hold.

My arms are aching already and my knees still hurt from falling on them, but I don't back down.

For a split second, he weakens his hold, and I push harder only to realise it's a trick. With a surge of power, he thrusts his blade to me, hard enough I stagger a step backwards, almost losing my weapon.

He holds out the armed hand, and flames erupt around him.

I gape at him as his shirt burns away, showcasing a glistening toned body, as he directs the entire flame to his long sword.

He moves his sword as though coming to slash me in half. I block him again, keeping my face away from the flame as I glower at him. He tries to disarm me again, twisting his sword, but I fight back.

Not breaking away from his scowling blue and amber eyes, I manipulate the fire around his sword to twist and whirl around his head.

The move is enough of a shock for him to retreat a step as I direct the entire flame into a whirlwind around his head, obscuring his view.

Before he gets the chance to pull himself together to divert the flame away with one swift move, I disarm arm him, throwing his sword a few feet away from us as the flame disappears from around his head.

I don't waste a second and hit him with the wide part of the blade on his chest, hard enough to make him stumble. In one motion, I crouch, and swipe my leg roughly on the ground, hitting his leg, and making him fall hard. He groans from the impact.

I quickly jump up as he stays lying on the ground. I point the edge of my blade over his throat.

He stares at me with wide eyes, his chest rising and falling rapidly.

Panting, I say, "Are you sure you want to lose two more rounds in front of your family and lover?" I mockingly raise an eyebrow.

The clapping from behind me curls my lips into a smug smile. Not lifting the edge from his neck, I glance in the direction to see King Cyrus' impressed smile and Fyla's grinning face.

I glimpse at Torilia's wide with horror eyes and satisfaction swells in me. Looks like the fight was more beneficial than I thought.

"Well done Audriea," Durgani speaks at last.

I draw the sword away from Valoukai and he slowly raises to his feet. I don't spare a glance at his way as I across the clearings even though I sense his gaze boring into the back of my head. Instead, I busy myself with studying Reese's unsettling smile. His Amber eyes stay latched on me, even when I hand over my sword and stand next to the chair I was sitting on.

"You were right, you're an impressing fighter." Cyrus nods as if he's agreeing with his own statement.

"After today, I'm certain no one would want to get on your bad side, Audriea, but the deal was three rounds." Fyla glances at Torilia before fixing her attention on me.

I smile at her. "I'm sure Prince is exhausted, and how many times can one fail before their lover until losing the lover herself." With a smug smile, I shoot a pointed look at Torilia.

Her face darkens as she clenches her jaw, her brows draw together as she silently fumes.

Cyrus's snicker and Durgani's slowly forming smile ensure me I have responded in the best way possible.

"You got lucky. You won't always be able to surprise me," Valoukai grumbles.

His voice startles me, and I spin around to face him. "We can always say these things for the first win, but never for the second or third... how about we don't test the theory because if you lose again, I wonder what other excuse you might come up with?"

He purses his mouth, his eyes glow with irritation.

"Audriea, freshen up, I like to instruct you on a few of your responsibilities." Durgani raises to her feet and adds, "I'll be waiting for you inside the castle."

"Yes, your highness." I bow as she saunters past me.

"And in a fortnight, the kings and lords of the other courts will pay us a visit. I expect to present a united front," Cyrus speaks and stands up, throwing a glare at Valoukai before setting a pointed stare on me.

"Of course." I dip my chin. From the corner of my eye, I catch Valoukai tensing until his father is out of sight.

He turns to me. "Next time, you won't be winning."

"I'll impatiently wait for the next round." I grin at him as he glowers at me.

He whirls around and marches away. Torilia hurries behind him.

"You did well, Audriea." Fyla walks to me, and pats my shoulder. "Keep up, just not too much. You don't want to appear threatening to everyone present in the court, now do you?" she nods and follows the direction the king and queen left.

Reese stays behind, but I don't give him the chance to talk as I quickly excuse myself and rush away.

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