Change of Darkness (The Change Series Book 3) by Jacinta Jade (best new books to read txt) 📕

She turned her head at his words, frowning at Loce momentarily before turning back to the fight still playing out before her. ‘What do you mean?’

‘Chezran was made to train for what Xarcon is trying to achieve since he took his first steps. While skill develops over time, there is a limit to it—not that I can match either of them yet.’

Siraay frowned as she watched the blows being traded before her, strong muscles flexing and contracting, intent directing each blow with accuracy. ‘So, you’re saying that they’ve both reached the top of their fighting ability?’

Beside her, Loce shook his head. ‘No. I’m saying that you can have all the skill in the world, but what makes the most difference is experience. And in that regard, Chezran can’t be beaten.’

Siraay observed the fight more closely, not watching each blow, but trying to get a sense of the fight overall. And after a moment more, she finally began to see what Loce was trying to get at.

While there was no division of skill between the two males, and in fact, Pyron might have had more power than Chezran due to his aggression, the lord’s more icy approach seemed more relaxed. Not that he wasn’t taking it seriously—there was no doubt that each male was intent on knocking his opponent into the ground. But he did appear as if … he was waiting?

It was a poor way to describe it, and Siraay shook her head a little. Chezran was fighting with pure focus, but it seemed as if he knew the script of the fight …

Maybe that was it. His anticipation was better.

‘Something seems to be driving them particularly hard this morning,’ Loce commented under his breath to her.

Siraay wondered at his quiet tone, given they were half a room away, but was even more curious about his words. ‘Is something about the way they are fighting different today?’

Loce nodded slightly beside her. ‘There’s a different feel today … ah.’

Siraay frowned at him. ‘What?’

Loce smirked a little in her direction. ‘I think Lord Chezran might have overheard more of your … discussion with Pyron this morning than he let on.’

Siraay raised her eyebrows, silently asking Loce to elaborate, but he simply shook his head and jerked his head back at the continuing fight, only saying, ‘This will be interesting.’

Siraay refocused on the battling males, annoyed at Loce for his secretiveness and at herself at being ignorant of his meaning, but she remained keen on trying to observe what Loce had obviously already identified.

It was during one of Pyron’s vicious attacks that it happened. The flow of the fight had so far been balanced, two forces of matching skill giving and taking the lead as they switched smoothly between defence and offence.

Then the balance snapped when Chezran struck a flat-handed blow to Pyron’s chest.

As soon as it happened, Loce’s previous comments about Chezran’s experience clicked in Siraay’s head. Chezran had been reading the fight from start to finish, waiting for this moment.

The lord’s hand moved with such speed that Pyron’s body was thrown backwards before Siraay’s mind even registered the blow.

But Chezran wasn’t done.

As soon as Pyron’s feet left the ground, the lord was moving, leaping forwards through the air.

And as his opponent hit the ground, Chezran landed just behind him and, rolling, came up with one hand wrapped around the chief archon’s throat.

Loce inhaled sharply as Chezran’s face became hard as stone.

The Lord of Xarcon bent his head down to Pyron’s face and muttered quietly to his second-in-command for a moment.

The tension in the air was thick, and Siraay didn’t dare move while the two males were face-to-face, Pyron’s body tensed and Chezran’s hand squeezing tightly.

Then the chief archon muttered an even quieter response, and Chezran relaxed instantly, releasing his grip and standing, even offering a hand to Pyron, who took it and stood.

When Chezran shifted and saw Siraay watching with Loce, he smiled smoothly at them while Pyron strode swiftly towards the exit.

‘Pyron is an excellent fighter but sometimes gets carried away,’ Chezran said, moving gracefully towards Siraay and Loce. And even though he was breathing heavily, his shirt dark with sweat, he seemed otherwise unperturbed by the intense sparring match that had lasted longer than even Siraay’s multiple rounds with Loce.

Something to remember, Siraay thought, impressed.

Loce quickly nodded his head to his lord. ‘As always, a great fight.’ Loce glanced at Siraay before turning back to Chezran. ‘I’ll be happy to continue sparring with Lady Siraay to complete her training in the upcoming days.’

Chezran nodded. ‘I think that’s a good idea. Though, from what I observed, the lady’s skill is increasing rapidly.’ Chezran turned his eyes fully on her now, and Siraay felt the intensity of that gaze in her bones.

‘Thank you, my lord,’ she said, smiling. ‘Watching you fight was most … instructive.’ She drew the last word out almost playfully. And was it her imagination or did a slight shadow cross Loce’s face at her words?

‘I’ll need to excuse myself, lord, as my duties need me elsewhere,’ Loce said, nodding to Chezran before he pivoted and began moving in the direction of the door.

Which left Siraay and Chezran alone.

Those dark eyes were fixed on hers, and Siraay returned his gaze steadily until she spoke, almost without realising. ‘I would be keen to learn more about the city and operations here.’

True—but it was not what was really on her mind. Yet she had felt the need to break the silence that had hung between them like a tangible line.

Chezran gave her that knowing smile of his. ‘Freshen up, eat, and then I’ll be happy to increase your knowledge.’

Siraay smiled back, dipped her head, and departed.

CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT

ON HER WAY back to her room, a dedicated escort of two following, Siraay’s triumphant smile became a thoughtful press of her lips.

Chezran prized her, that much was obvious, but she also needed him to elevate her in his own mind from mere asset to … counterpart?