verbatim.

As she lunged forward, her blade aimed towards his throat, she noticed his swift, calculated move. The leather armor deflected her strike, but she wasn’t surprised. Flare had always been quick on his feet.

She felt his paw descend upon her foreleg, the metal caps grazing her fur. The pain was sharp, but it only fueled her excitement. Her muscles tensed as he shoved his chest forward, aiming to knock her off balance.

She growled through gritted teeth, the sound dripping with both pain and pleasure. She embraced the brutality, relishing in the challenge he presented. But if she were beaten here, she would lose the confidence she had worked hard to earn from Sephiran. Flare would not be shown mercy. She allowed the momentum to carry her, twisting her body with the force of his push. Her blade flicked upwards, aiming for the underside of his chin with deadly precision, where his armor did not reach. Her eyes locked onto his, a wild, almost feral gleam in her emerald gaze. Stopping as Sephiran’s voice rang out, she disengaged, stepping back and returning the Sultan’s blade to him with cool calculation.

Sephiran was talking to Flare, and then his attention was on her. Absinth’s posture remained strong, her emerald eyes locking onto his. She had vouched for Flare, and now the weight of that promise hung in the air between them. When Sephiran mentioned the season of proving, a spark of fierce pride ignited within her. She nodded, her voice steady and resolute. “One season.” Her gaze flicked to Flare, a silent promise in her eyes, a grin splitting her maw in two.

wormwood