Bound By Dragons: A Standalone Fantasy Romance by Alisha Klapheke

Author:Alisha Klapheke [Klapheke, Alisha]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2023-06-29T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter 12

Tahlia

The giant male’s sword crashed toward Tahlia’s head. But where she’d thought maybe he’d be a bit lumbering due to his impressive size, he was sadly quite quick. She lunged sideways and a lock of her hair fell to the sandy earth.

“Thanks for that,” she said, panting. “It was getting in my eyes. I thought we were supposed to be using the flat of our blades.” She glanced at Marius. “High Captain, isn’t that the rule here?”

She spun and thrust her gladius toward the giant male’s kidney, turning the sword so it would just smack him and not pierce the leather vest.

“Flats, yes,” Marius said, his arms crossed and his stormy gaze locked on her opponent.

Though he agreed, he didn’t seem overly concerned with the giant male nearly slicing her in two.

They fought on, her going low mostly and him high. Once she had him lulled into a rhythm, she threw her blade at his chest, timing it so it would hit hilt first. The hilt bumped the male and he stumbled back a step.

Marius cocked his head, then looked toward the three scribes jotting down points. “Death hit. Lady Tahlia of Northwoods is the winner.”

The scribes agreed, and Tahlia was announced as moving on to the next round. Fara jogged up and handed Tahlia a small bucket and a ladle. Tahlia tucked her gladius into its sheath and scooped a serving of mint-scented water. It tasted divine.

“Thanks, squire.”

“Of course, my lady.”

“You still look green around the gills.”

“I feel like death, but I’m not going to fail you.”

Tahlia returned the small bucket. “You’re the best squire in the world, Fara.”

“I’m really not.”

“You put mint in my water.” Tahlia exhaled, enjoying the fresh feel on her tongue. “That’s fabulous.”

“No, I didn’t.”

“But it smells like mint,” Tahlia said.

Marius lunged forward and grabbed her arm. “What did you say?”

“I said it smells minty. How is that bad?”

Swallowing, Marius held her in place. He shouted a question, but he sounded like he was underwater.

“What did you say?” The arena began to spin. “I can’t hear you.”

Tahlia rubbed her face with numb hands.

“Tahlia?” Fara’s voice was pitched too high.

What was happening?

“Sit down, competitor,” Marius said. At least that’s what it sounded like.

“I don’t feel quite right.”

The arena tilted sideways and night fell.

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