to the side and swerved around him. Suddenly, his back was wide open.
I brought one sword down, but he was quick, moving like a shadow, as he turned and blocked my hit with his blade. Steel kissed steel with a dull clang, and I jumped back and went in for another blow.
Kalon defended himself almost effortlessly at first, but my stamina soon prevailed. We waltzed across the training hall, swinging our swords at each other. He managed to smack me over the arm twice, the flesh burning from the brief but heavy blow. I was faster and lighter on my feet, but his technique was illustrious.
His use of the longsword gave me a good runaround, as well. I wound up with my blades crossed in front of me, holding his back. Kalon smirked. “Military training. And what else? They don’t teach you this in the army, do they?”
I chuckled and kicked him in the stomach. He fell backward, taken by surprise, but got up quickly and charged at me with a full swing. I dodged and slid to my right, swiftly turning around so I could always see him coming.
“I’ve picked up a few more things along the way, I suppose,” I said, panting and having the time of my life. “Different tribes that my brother and I have studied have different traditions and fighting styles. You learn a little bit from everyone, in the end.”
He came at me again, and I continued to escape his attacks. I wondered how long it would take to wear him out. Soon enough, our physical differences began to emerge. The Aeternae lasted longer in direct combat. I was the one getting tired, while Kalon kept at it, his breathing ragged but his energy still way above mine.
His ability to foresee some of my movements didn’t help. Then again, he’d fought plenty of people in the Blood Arena. He must’ve learned some patterns. His experience was superior to mine, in that aspect.
“You’re very good,” Kalon said, as we circled one another around the broken dummy. “Though there is always room for better. I could train you.”
Did I want him to train me? Why the hell not? I had a lot to learn from Kalon, clearly. And he was offering. I doubted Crimson, the one responsible for champions like Valaine and Kalon, among others, would’ve spared a moment of his time to teach me, and I’d made it my mission to never pass up an opportunity to learn something.
Sweat trickled down my temples. “You would train me out of the goodness of your heart?”
“Why is that so hard to believe?”
“Because you’re not an easy creature to read,” I said.
He stopped, his brow furrowed as his blue eyes darkened. I wasn’t sure what to make of his reaction. Had I insulted him? Had I pointed out an uncomfortable truth, perhaps?
“Nothing in this life is easy,” he replied and kicked the wooden dummy so hard, it bumped into me. I lost my balance and focus.
It was all it took for Kalon to move like a flash of lightning as he jumped over the fallen dummy and pushed me against the wall. Before I knew it, my swords were on the floor, and his forearm pressed into my throat, while the tip of his blunt sword poked me in the stomach.
For a moment, neither of us dared to move, paralyzed by what had just happened. His face was inches from mine, and I had a hard time making sense of anything. Sweat dripped from my eyebrow, forcing me to shut one eye. His breath brushed against my skin.
The face I made with one eye closed must’ve been funny, because Kalon laughed as he pulled back and offered a polite bow. “My apologies, Esme. I hope I didn’t hurt you.”
I wiped the sweat from my forehead and eyes with the back of my sleeve, my cheeks ablaze and my limbs trembling from the adrenaline. Kalon packed a solid punch, for sure. There was delightful danger lurking inside me, and I’d merely gotten a glimpse of it.
“I, for one, hope you didn’t go easy on me,” I said.
He shook his head. “Not at all. I wouldn’t have wanted to offend you.”
“Hah. That’s considerate. Thank you.”
“The offer stands,” he said, his eyes glimmering with anticipation. That black leather looked wicked on his athletic form. My mouth was dry. “I can train you. Help you improve certain skills. Your speed is exquisite, and your technique is certainly varied, but you need to