Hidden Knights (Knights of the Realm #3) - Jennifer Anne Davis Page 0,27

heavy and his momentum was going forward, she easily came up behind him, one sword at his throat, the other at his stomach. “I win.”

He nodded in acknowledgment. She’d never—never—won the first round against him.

“You’re fighting with more confidence,” Knox said. “As if you know you’re going to win and are toying with me.”

She shrugged. “Shall we have another bout?”

“Of course. Can’t let you beat me once and have it go to your head.” He attacked faster than usual, his intent to beat her clear.

Reid raised both swords, blocking his strike. When she lifted her right leg to kick him, he twisted, knocking her off balance. She landed in the mud. Clamoring to her feet, she faced him again. “Have you always held back when going against me?”

“I have.” He circled her like a predator. “It seems I don’t have to anymore. I still wish you’d fight without your cap and shirt on though for different reasons now.”

Instead of taking offense, she laughed, knowing he was just trying to throw her off. He swung his sword low, luring her in. Blocking with her left sword, she held her right at the ready, assuming he planned to punch her. When his right arm flew at her torso, she hit it with her sword and twisted, trying to get in closer to disarm him. He swept her legs out from under her, and she landed in the mud.

Knox reached down. She took hold of his hand, and he pulled her to her feet.

Reid caught sight of Dexter and Ackley sparring without weapons. Each man had a different body shape and fighting style. Yet, they were well matched. Where Dexter was all power, muscle, and brute strength, Ackley exhibited lean, cat-like precision.

“Done?” Knox asked, pulling her attention from Dexter and Ackley’s match.

“No,” she replied. “One more round to determine the winner.” Her arms shook slightly, but she wouldn’t let Knox know her muscles were tired. At least he had a sheen of sweat across his torso, revealing some exhaustion on his part.

She flicked a chunk of mud off her hair, thankful most of it was caked to the back of her head so she could still see.

“Hang on,” Knox said as he squatted to tie his boot.

Reid removed her cap, tossing it off to the side. She didn’t like the shadow it cast over her face on this cloudy day. And, if she were being honest with herself, she’d gotten used to not wearing it.

“Look at you.” Knox righted himself, pointing his sword at her. “I’ve never seen you remove a single article of clothing before.”

“It’s a cap. That’s hardly clothing.” They started circling one another. She knew he was getting ready to attack—could see it in the way he shifted his fingers on the sword’s hilt as he widened his stance.

She raised her swords, barely blocking his strike in time. He grinned, and she knew he was planning something. She jumped backward, out of striking range, narrowly missing his front kick. Instead of giving him a moment to regroup, she came at him with a series of attacks, trying to force him to make an error so she could have the upper hand. If she were going to have any hope of winning, she needed to disarm him. A plan formed. She pretended she could barely hold her swords up. He fell for it, trying to attack higher in order to wear her out faster. The second he went higher, she lashed out. Both swords on his wrist, she applied just enough pressure that he dropped his weapon.

She stood, chest heaving, both swords now pointed at his torso. “Concede?” She grinned.

He nodded. “I was holding back.”

“What do you mean?” She sheathed her swords, feeling a blister already forming on her right hand.

“Since I now know you’re a woman,” he said, “I went easier on you.”

Eyes narrowing, she took a step closer to him. “I’ve fought you countless times over the years. You didn’t go easier on me.” If anything, he’d been harder and more intense.

“But you’re a woman. You’re not as strong as a man.”

Without intending to, she punched him, the hit landing on his cheek.

He cursed. “What was that for?”

Her hand hurt like hell. Cradling it to her chest, she tried not to scream. She should have punched him in the stomach, then she wouldn’t have hurt her knuckles.

Ackley, Dexter, Gordon, and Idina all gaped at her with wide eyes.

Embarrassed she’d lost her temper, Reid muttered, “He deserved it,” before climbing