“Dariana’s a cheating bitch,” Fadima finished for Dancer. “You have to be in control of your strikes and temper at all times so that she doesn’t lure you into making something the ref will misconstrue as a back attack.”

“Ah, gotcha.” Sumi licked her fingers then moved to take the staff from Dancer. “Let’s try this.”

Hauk stepped away, even though it was the last thing he wanted to do. Every instinct inside him wanted to protect Sumi. It was a painful, demanding ache.

But to Sumi’s credit, she was an incredible fighter. She met every one of Fadima’s strikes. Her circular moves were flawless and she had good weight behind her jabs.

“Dang!” she said as she stepped back after striking Fadima’s side. “Andarions are solid. Were you born with a staff in your hand?”

Fadima laughed and glanced to Hauk. “You have your male to blame for my skills. He was forever picking a fight with me. I had to learn to fight him off or stay bruised.”

Hauk snorted. “The lies that drop from your tongue, cousin. I was the innocent victim. I’d be lying on the floor, playing in total harmony, and she’d run up my back, flip, and pin me in a hold.”

“I did do that,” Fadima admitted with a smile.

“And let’s not forget,” Fain added, “how many times we’d be playing ball and she’d run in out of nowhere and throw us down.”

“That was only after she’d kicked us in our balls.”

Fadima laughed. “As I said, I take no offense to your thinking ill of me, cousin.” She met Sumi’s gaze. “But I never once defeated Fain in a fight. Until the Iron Hammer came along, he was the youngest Ring title holder in Andarion history, and never lost a single match in his entire career.”

“Iron Hammer, what?” Sumi asked with a frown.

“Iron Hammer is a legendary Andarion prize fighter,” Fadima explained. “He retired a couple of years ago, undefeated in all class weights and in both league divisions.”

Dancer jerked his chin at his brother. “In his youth, Fain was every bit as famous. He was one of the most celebrated Ring prize fighters of his generation and would have gone on to be the undefeated champ of all three titles had he not…” His voice trailed off.

“Had he not married my sister.” That knowledge made her even sicker. Omira had cost Fain so much.

Fadima held the staff up for a break.

Sumi stopped immediately.

Breathing heavily, she passed an impressed expression on to Dancer. “Your female is very well trained.” She tossed the staff to Shahara. “I’ll let you have a go and see what you think.”

Sumi thought she was prepared until Shahara started for her. She came after her like a psychotic ten-armed windmill. In less than a minute, Shahara had her flat on her back.