He flipped the snap off the holster attached to his wrist and the familiar warmth of his knife’s pommel slid into his waiting hand. Biting back a smile, he approached, certain that she had not seen him. An aura similar to hers, but blue, snaked across his skin. In one swift movement his left arm pulled both of hers back, drawing her to his chest and pressing his blade to her throat.

“You should learn to be more cautious, my lady,” he hissed in her ear. A line of red formed along the sharpened, steel edge.

In the blink of an eye the light around her flickered to a vibrant yellow, electromagnetic magic striking temperate ice water and causing him to hiss in pain. The momentary distraction was enough. Her hands moved to the small of her back and her head whipped back, skull catching him in the jaw. Dropping to the ground, her leg struck from beneath her skirts and knocked his feet out from under him. She stood with a twirl, her hands bringing two well hidden daggers into view.

Pushing back to his feet the moment he hit the ground, he mentally chided himself for thinking he had her this time. His long blade left its scabbard at the same time the sunlight glinted off her shorter pair. “Lightening? That’s new.”

“Only to you.” A smile tugged at the corners of her mouth. She struck first, stepping inside his reach and slicing from the side.

The feint to get him to guard his left arm was familiar and he moved into the blow rather than deflecting it. He brought his dagger up from the right to block what would have been a wicked puncture to his kidney. The blade missed his skin, but sliced cleanly through his orange waistcoat.

She twirled with his dodge, jumping back to avoid a sweep kick when he dropped to one knee. Bouncing on the balls of her feet, she taunted him with a smirk.

A lock of hair pulled loose from its restraint at the base of his neck, falling across his eyes and obscuring his vision. He tucked the midnight blue curl behind an ear and sprang toward her, coming up inside her reach.

Her eyes widened in surprise at the new tactic; most of the time he preferred to use his longer arms to his advantage. She didn’t falter for long, but it was enough for him to extend his blue glow, bathing her in the light.

She jumped back, more sluggishly this time. “So I’m not the only one with new tricks up my sleeve.”

He grinned in response, moving into a ready position, sword in front of him, dagger at his side.

She mimicked his pose.

His brown eyes searched bright green, trying to anticipate her next move.

As her weight shifted he was on the move again, his blades meeting hers with a loud clang. She caught him off balance, putting him on the defensive and only giving him enough time to block each blow.

She smirked, an arrogant gesture.

When she swung wide he saw his opening. He blocked the downswing, her leading hand striking the outside edge of his blade and knocking her own to the ground. Catching her left wrist, he brought it to meet her now empty right. He locked both above her head, pushing her until her back was to a nearby wall. “Submit.”

She pouted and a weak whimper escaped her throat. She leaned forward, only having to reach up a few inches to accomplish her goal, and pressed her mouth to his, startling him.

He closed his eyes when she deepened the kiss, her tongue running along his lower lip. Another whimper floated into the air and he realized it was his own. His eyes flew open when he felt her weight shift, but he realized too late.

Her dagger was in her right hand now and pressed to his throat. She blinked at him, her face a picture of innocence. “You need to learn to be more careful, my lord.”