I scan the room, an idea occurring to me. I move to the left. Her leg connects with my chest, and I stagger back, the breath knocked from me. I gasp as I try to regain myself, only for her to punch me again.
I block my head this time, feeling the jarring pain shoot up my arms as her punch connects with them. She yanks my hair back, and I throw a clumsy punch of my own. She catches my fist, twisting it around, and pushes me to the ground.
I gasp when I land with a thump on my ass before she shoves me back. My head connects with the ground, and I feel Zedkiel's anger rising. I am disappointing him.
She raises her fist, ready to punch me again, and I realise we are just a few feet away from one of the large weight training machines. I roll over as she lunges at me and catch her with my feet connecting with her stomach. Grabbing her arms, I push all my force into it, banking on this.
Dear Goddess, I hope I don't overdo it.I push with all my strength into my feet, throwing her over me and straight into the machinery behind us. I flinch when I hear the clang of the machine and the pained whimper that comes from her before her body lands on the floor. I spin around, getting up as she growls, staggering to her feet.
"That was low."
"There are no rules," I reply, glancing at the machine behind her again. She runs at me, and I do the same, but instead of attacking her, I jump, grabbing onto the top bar of the machine and swinging my leg straight at her jaw.
She tries to block, but she doesn't expect it, and my knee connects straight with her face. She falls, and I drop to the ground, stumbling as I turn to look at the woman on the floor.
My heart is thumping loudly in my ears. The adrenaline rushes through me. My head hurts from when she pulled my hair, and my entire body is bruised from her kicks and punches.
"She wins," Zedkiel says, his voice holding a hint of surprise.
"Maryka." Chasyn makes his way over to her. She's still on the floor, slowly getting up, and I look at Zedkiel, watching me with keen interest.
"I'm sorry. Are you alright?" I whisper, holding my hand out to her. She smacks it away, and I back off, only for Zedkiel to place a hand on my shoulder. I flinch, feeling the pain in my shoulder. She had done a lot more damage, and I won’t heal.
"Hold your ground," he says firmly, looking down at the woman who, to my horror, is bleeding from her nose. "You shouldn't be a sore loser. You were happy to spar and attack her, yet you get offended the moment you get hurt? I hate fake people, Maryka. Consider this a warning. Stay away from my woman unless it's completely necessary," he snarls venomously.
Chasyn looks up sharply. "Zedkiel, they can-"
"Nothing. You two have helped enough. Let's go, Evangeline." He grabs his shirt, taking hold of my wrist as he pulls me towards the door. I bite back a whimper as pain rushes through my aching arm. But my heart is thumping for another reason. He called me by my name.
"Thank you for sparring with me," I say, trying to smile at Chasyn and Maryka, but I don't manage it as Zedkiel yanks me from the room.
"You're resilient. This might work," he mutters. I don't reply, still shaken from that fight.
I fought back, and I actually won! Zedkiel's gaze snaps sharply to mine, staring at me, but I don't say anything, thinking just one thought.
That was actually pretty fun. I think this tournament might not be completely hopeless. I will do my best to win; win my freedom and win Zedkiel the crown he wishes for. We got this."I think we could both use a bath after that training," he says coldly.
My stomach flutters as I stare at him. "B-bath?" I squeak.
He stops, turns, and yanks me into his arms. Pulling me against him, my heart pounds faster when his free hand slips under my shirt. I whimper when he presses against one of my bruises. He leans in, his scent invading my senses.
"Yes, a bath. Together. Is there a problem, Little Mouse?" he purrs dangerously, his lips brushing my ear, making a whimper leave me.
I shake my head, although my heart thumps violently, and he slowly moves back, brushing a few strands of my messy hair off my face.
"Then let's go." He smirks, baring those predator-like teeth at me, and I notice that his canines, despite not having part-shifted, are extremely sharp.