Page 8 of Wings of Ice and Steel

Ariadnne exhaled, tapping into her well of power, spooling out enough to sharpen her focus and enhance her reflexes. The faintest shimmer of scales moved beneath her skin. The only time it was allowed.

She dodged a slow blow that could have removed her head and replied with a swift upward strike to Holt’s chin, snapping his head back. Seizing the moment, she slid round to his back and gave him a concussing blow. He staggered forwards and Ariadnne finished the fight by dropping to a knee and sweeping his legs out from under him. Poor Holt barely had a chance to blink before she was standing with one foot on his chest and the end of her stave pressed into his neck.

It was over in seconds.

‘Do you yield?’ She raised a brow.

‘He yields!’ Lord D’avant strode forwards rubbing his hands together in delight. ‘That was wonderful!’

The High Lord’s attendants clapped, putting Ariadnne on the spot. She gave them all a little bow and turned to leave the ring.

‘Wait.’ Lord D’avant raised a hand and the applause died. His lips twisted and he straightened, tilting his head Melixanthe’s direction. ‘General. Ariadnne has more than proven herself against the best of my guards, but I wonder if you would entertain me; I find myself dying to see how she fares against another warrior of the Guild! They are the best, after all.’

Ariadnne ground her teeth; she had hoped that her display had been enough to sate the Lord’s appetite, but it seemed he craved more of a show. Gathering her composure, she inclined her head, begrudgingly acquiescing.

Lord D’avant glanced at the other companies who had arrived and stood watching the spectacle from a respectable distance. ‘You there. Sol, is it?’ He shielded his eyes from the sun as he squinted in the captain’s direction. ‘Who is your best fighter?’

‘My Lord.’ Sol’s eyes widened at the request, but he remembered to bow his head respectfully before surveying his knights. All five stood tall, but Ariadnne’s eyes were only drawn to one. She knew who Sol was going to choose even before he uttered her name. ‘Nieve.’

A shiver chased up and down Ariadnne’s spine.

Nieve’s porcelain face registered no surprise, but her mouth twitched as she stepped forward, her eyes seeking Ariadnne’s across the sand. She’d forgone her signature armour for lighter, form-hugging gear, and as Ariadnne dragged her gaze up to her face, one pale brow rose as though asking for permission.

Ariadnne swallowed.

Lord D’avant grinned. ‘Very well! The White Knight is to be our challenger. No magic, mind you…’ He wagged his finger in her direction as she bowed gracefully and advanced toward the ring.

The heat from the rising sun beat down, driving Ariadnne to loosen her collar as Nieve took her place. The knight’s braided, silver hair glinted as she tucked it behind her ears. Ariadnne inhaled softly, feeling none of her usual surety. Instead, her traitorous heart beat a rapid staccato against her ribs as Nieve’s chin tilted, her lips curling into a soft, feline smile, her relaxed, almost insolent posture begging Ariadnne to take her on.

‘What weapon would you prefer we use, My Lord?’ she asked.

‘Swords.’ The word escaped Ariadnne’s mouth before Lord D’avant had time to react. Swords were Nieve’s weapon. Ariadnne wanted to see how she used them.

‘Well then, Ariadnne has spoken.’ Lord D’avant called to the crowd. ‘Swords it is! Just don’t damage your pretty faces, eh?’ He winked.

A youth scurried forward with Ariadnne’s small shield and blunted training blades, of which Nieve chose two, twirling them with skill before settling into a ready stance. Her eyes were focused on Ariadnne, a smile tugging at the corner of her mouth, looking almost playful.

The noise from the assembled crowd faded as Ariadnne’s other form stirred, uncoiling sinuously to regard her opponent. It was rare for her to take such an interest, but Ariadnne sensed something like approval. Forcing her attention from the beast to the ring, Ariadnne rolled her neck, spooling a wisp of power from the beast. If Nieve wanted to play, she’d play.

‘Begin!’ Lord D’avant brought his arm crashing down.

Released, Ariadnne attacked in a flurry of steel. Nieve’s canines flashed in a wild grin as their blades crossed, Ariadnne’s rebellious mouth answering in kind. Nieve was a whirlwind of elegance and power, attacking without hesitation and testing Ariadnne with unexpected twists and feints. Ariadnne’s pleasure heightened as she realised Nieve was the real thing. A true challenge.

Feinting left, Ariadnne dove forwards, enjoying the subtle drop of Nieve’s jaw as she caught her by surprise. With a deft sidestep, Nieve deflected the blow. She flicked Ariadnne’s sword away, Ariadnne’s shield sweeping up without missing a beat. Her push forced Nieve back. Recovering instantly, Nieve’s blades flashed round and met Ariadnne’s shield with a thud. Ariadnne’s smile split her face as she seized the second it took for Nieve to pull back, ducking and sweeping at Nieve’s feet with a low kick Nieve barely managed to dodge.

They circled cautiously. Nieve was fast, faster than Ariadnne had given her credit for. Ariadnne tried to focus and plan her next move, but instead found her eyes drifting up the curve of Nieve’s form…

Thump. She raised her shield in the second it had taken Nieve to dart across the sand, only just catching the blow. She shook her head, what was wrong with her? Bringing herself back to the moment, Ariadnne sliced, trying to catch Nieve’s middle, but Nieve knocked the blow away, catching Ariadnne’s swing of retaliation between crossed blades, forcing Ariadnne’s arm up.

Suddenly Nieve was there, pressing in close to get inside Ariadnne’s guard. She was close enough for Ariadnne to feel the icy kiss of her skin against her chest and smell the sweet scent of her sweat, laced with pine and snow.

Time slowed, the edge of Nieve’s lip curling in a way that made Ariadnne’s skin tingle.

The sensation left her reeling as they pushed apart.

Five paces away Nieve panted and stared at her like she was seeing her for the first time. A low rumble of noise made Ariadnne aware of their audience and she dropped back into a fighting stance. There was no space to process…whatever just happened…right now.

She unleashed a flurry of blows, the movement spurring Nieve back to action.