Never in her wildest dreams had she imagined they would come to this.
If anyone could see her now, she didn’t doubt they would question her audacity to challenge the most gifted warrior in Elysian. This was neither a game nor one of her covert practice sessions, and there was the likelihood that she would not survive this night. But they had a score to settle, and he was as determined as she was to lay everything to rest, so she banished all trepidation until only one dominating goal remained in her thoughts.
The abysmal and haphazard life she was so unceremoniously thrown into could not make her forget who she was at heart. Not a day passed without her reminiscing better times gone by in a distant land that she had once called home. Tonight, she would have retribution. For her father, for everything that had been lost.
For herself.
Her life now belonged in the hands of Fate. The idea of her probable death didn’t frighten her, couldn’t debilitate her. Kill, or be killed, that was the rule of survival on the battlefield; she understood it a long time ago.
Her grip on her sword tightened as she regarded her nemesis. He stood about twenty feet away, a single blade held languidly in his hand. His posture was relaxed and collected as he returned her scrutiny with the same detachment. Even now, he continued to be an intriguing man.
It had startled her when he sauntered into their meeting place without any protective armour. Did he believe she was incompetent to meet him in combat because of her sex? Did he think her the submissive woman who wouldn’t stand up for herself?
Well, she would show him what she was worth. She never was as fragile as those around her thought. The passing of a vagrant breeze would not extinguish her life like it would a candle flame.
He ought to be seeking her forgiveness. The son of a bitch knew she wasn’t someone he could tamper with at will. His ruthless reputation had no effect on her determination to best him. She was prepared for their grand finale, and to be the last one standing. She would fight to her last breath to make him pay for her misery.
He owed it to her. She was simply here to collect her prize. Nothing more, nothing less.
Night winds caressed her skin like a mother’s loving touch, as though they were whispering she had an alternative besides the inevitable. Perhaps, in another life, she could hold a discussion with him in peace. Tonight wasn’t that night, unfortunately. Planting her feet on the ground, Manon raised her sword, mirroring Kaden’s every move. Emotions flickered in his grey-green eyes and disappeared as soon as they had come. She licked her lips in anticipation, her limbs impatient to put her skills to the test.
Take him by surprise, knock away his weapon, a slash across his strong throat, a thrust to his heart, or one to his abdomen, and he would drop like a sack of potatoes at her feet. She could do it. She had to. One quick, simple attack, it would be over and done with.
Then why was she hesitating?
