He swung high and hard, but her spin had both her hands gripping simultaneously at her hilt, holding it with the rigid strength of her outstretched arms as she blocked again. She grunted from her belly as her weapon absorbed the hit. She took his blow and spun, swinging for his legs with another high sound. Amaris had hoped that his weight would slow him, but she should have known better than to catch him off guard.

Despite his size, Malik was quick. He leaped backward, successfully avoiding her sweep. His side- step may have helped him to dodge her initial swing, but it left his right side open. She faked to the left and came in hard for his right. His green eyes went wide with surprise as he registered her movements. Amaris barely had time to twist her sword and strike him with the broad side, sending him to the ground with a blow to his pride rather than a pierce through his ribs.

He groaned from where he’d fallen. She grinned, certain she’d won. She extended a hand to help him up, but Malik had some fight in him yet.

Dust kicked up between them as the golden-haired man bared his teeth. He was on his feet before she’d even realized that the fight was to continue. He twisted his full body weight into an arc, whirling from one side to the other, but what Amaris lacked in size and strength she made up for in deft, nimble speed. Her ground roll put her behind him before he could blink, now smiling with the thrill of the fight. She was on her feet with instantaneous grace before he could turn. With a hard kick, she shoved her foot into his back and had him on the ground. In one more leap, Amaris was atop him, beaming from ear to ear.

“Fuck!” he gasped as he stared up at the sky.

The older reevers unleashed a mix of cheers and good-natured boos as they watched.

Malik was momentarily conflicted between feeling proud of his friend and embarrassed at his own defeat, but he shoved her off him while she beamed her glee. The men around the camp barked their approving laughs. Malik dusted off both his tunic and his pride while Amaris made a show of bowing in faux humility.

“Fighting you is like battling a rabbit with a sword! You’re so damn agile!”

“Yes,” she panted happily, unbothered by his comparison. “I’ve always fancied myself a bunny with a blade. Thanks for that.”

He clapped her on the back and grinned, heading for the water.

Ash stepped up. “Do you have another round in you?”

Malik took a break from the water he’d been guzzling. “Not fair,” he gasped between swallows. “If you beat her, it will be because I wore her down.”