Total pages in book: 138
Estimated words: 131875 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 659(@200wpm)___ 528(@250wpm)___ 440(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 131875 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 659(@200wpm)___ 528(@250wpm)___ 440(@300wpm)
Kerrigan nodded. “Understood.”
The man sighed and then filed their paperwork away. Kerrigan figured his disbelief was to her advantage. No one was going to expect her to win. But always went into her fights as the underdog, and she’d endured the Society prejudice for more than a year. She could win this too.
“I can’t believe I let you talk me into this,” Constantine said as they left the coliseum.
“I’m not sure you had a choice after I handed Myron his ass on a platter.”
Constantine pursed his lips. “He’s going to be a problem.”
“Yep.” She had known that before she challenged him. She also didn’t care.
“He was displeased when I told him I was moving him to the staff fights.”
“Yep.”
“He’s my best gladiator.”
“And I beat him with ease,” she reminded him.
He stared back at her with indifference. “You’re a real pain.”
“Heard that before too.”
She followed him across the massive bridge to the western banks of Carithian. Both were silent as they traversed the crowded streets. She wasn’t the damsel, and now, he was learning that first hand.
They reached the house, unmolested. The sounds of training came from the pit already. Her hand itched to hold a sword again and to fully put this pretty-girl persona behind her. She could primp and preen with the best of them, but she was happier with her feet in the sand.
“The first match for the main fight is in a week,” Constantine said as a servant pulled the door open to let them inside his house. “The lower fights start in three days. I spoke to Evander, and we agreed that I’ll handle your training.”
She blinked. “Training?”
“You think I’m going to let you into the coliseum without seeing where you’re at? I’ve been working with Myron for a year. I’m not putting my name behind you any other way.”
“A year,” she said softly. “And I still beat him in a few minutes.”
“Maybe don’t keep saying that where people can hear you.”
She shrugged. “I’m used to long training hours.”
“I want you to know that if I don’t find you up to it, then I’ll pull your name from the tournament myself.”
She glared up at him. “What benchmark are you going to move to prove that a woman shouldn’t be in this tournament? Because you were going to let Myron go off and die without much effort. I could see easily that he wasn’t ready, and now, you want to judge for yourself whether or not I am.”
Constantine returned her heated expression. “I don’t believe in training women, but you’ve forced myself. So, I’ll give you the same instruction I gave Myron. He was ready, which is the only reason we’re having this conversation. Because if you beat my prized warrior, then you might have a chance of winning this thing.”
“Then, let’s get started.”
Sweat coated Kerrigan’s pale skin, running down her back and into her eyes. Sand was a second layer on her body. It kicked up onto her legs and chest and arms. It got into every nook and cranny. No wonder the men headed to the baths every day after training ended. She had sand where no sand should ever belong. Her hair was dripping, even with the tie that she’d taken from one of the other gladiators earlier in the day to hold it off her back.
She received some good-natured ribbing about her training, but most chose to leave her alone. Theo continued his persistent flirting. At least this hadn’t changed his opinion of her. Though Myron’s distaste was apparent. Even that she had to block out. She had no room to do anything but react when fighting Constantine. Before today she had never seen him fight or train anyone. Evander had done much of the actual coaching. But was a reason Constantine was the general. Why he was kurios.
His men respected him because he had earned that respect.
“Again,” he snapped at her.
She came forward with her sword, beating the series of attacks he threw at her. They shifted throughout the hours of exertion. They were like nothing she had ever fought against back home.
“The last step is like this,” Constantine said when she finished. He cut through the sand like water. His movements effortless. “See?”
“It’s like coming at it sideways.” She brought her sword up and tried again. It wasn’t perfect, but she was getting there. It didn’t matter how good she was. She always wanted to get better.
“Yes,” he said without emotion. “That was it. Now, do it again.”
So, she did. Again and again until the movements sailed out of her. It was different than her training in Alandria. Yet they were related moves. As if they had been trained side by side, but not interacting. One person mimicking, but not replicating.
“Take a break. Get some water.”
Kerrigan let the sword swing down to her side. Her muscles ached in the best way. She swiped sweat off of her brow and reached for the jug of water. She wanted to upend the entire thing over her head.