Free Tiva Boon: Heir of Abennelp (Tiva Boon Series Book 2) by Jenn Nixon Page A

from blue to green and back again then he ran toward her full speed raising the spirit-sword above his head.
    Tiva gripped the hilt with both hands, and prepared for the attack. When the swords collided, she felt the tremor course through her entire body to her toes. A quick blink and hop to the right later, her lips curled up and she knew this was going to be exactly what she needed.
    She struck at him, forcefully pushing against the blade with her upper body. He moved back slightly, and the dance began.
    The weapons sang beautifully in rhythmic concert as Tiva and Adam wielded them expertly against one another. Soft gasps and incomprehensible comments from their friends did little to sway their attention. They were engrossed in the heat of the spar. They parried around each other, circling, twisting, and turning. Each assault that followed a block was increasingly brutal and focused.
    He was quick, perhaps quicker than she was. Adam sliced at every part of her body within the first few sets of blows. She kept her concentration on his shoulder, forcing him to favor one side. She nipped the fabric near his elbow, but he jerked to the side at the very last moment avoiding harm. With nothing in the room to gain height from, she ducked more often than she liked, and shifted her position constantly trying to throw him off balance.
    Her winged opponent spun around after his last attempt, and grinned. She stepped back at the pause. He glanced down at his protector. “Cala’s having fun.”
    “Then I am glad,” Tiva answered. She was not about to let him distract her, so she moved in for another strike. This time, she brought the blade aloft from her side. He saw it coming easily enough, but she knew it was one of her most powerful attacks. Adam lowered Cala to the front of his body when she neared, just as she hoped. Tiva was but a few feet from him when she leaped into the air moving the blade upward with all her strength. Unprepared for the change, Adam adapted well, considering, and elevated his weapon as the katana clipped his left shoulder. Tiva didn’t have the chance for a follow up maneuver. Adam pushed down on her sword using her own momentum against her. She twisted her body mid air as he hindered the attack, and when they separated, he spun around. Just as she landed, he swept his blade across her stomach with a smooth fluid flip of his wrist. The fabric of her shirt fluttered to the ground, exposing her navel and scar. She heard Aliri gasp and Raife chuckle. Adam paused and stared for a moment, then smiled.
    “Uh…oops,” he said.
    Tiva ignored him and the slight trickle of blood. She grunted and flipped the sword over in her hand. He was a challenge, and she was enjoying herself far more than she should. Adam’s fingers curled around the hilt tighter, he was preparing for another strike, and Tiva was more than ready.
     
    An hour passed, they continued to battle with as much force and speed as if it were the first move for each of them. He had been in many wars, she took part in a fair share of fights, neither was the type to give up. Tiva checked for her friends, but they were gone. She did not blame them, watching a spar never held her own attention for long.
    “You know, you’re a damn good fighter, Tiva.” He raised Cala in his hand and struck down at her right side. She dodged to the left, spun around and slashed at his midsection.
    “As are you, Adam.” She moved the katana above her head, as his sword came up at her. This would be her strongest attempt. Tiva clenched the hilt tight, the weapon almost touching her back as she prepared. She sensed Cala stronger now, she tried to ignore the feelings and then gasped as the sword neared. Each knew they were too close, Adam maneuvered to her right, she twisted to his left, but the blades connected with flesh, and they both cringed in pain.
    Adam lacerated her upper right thigh. Blood dripped down her leg creating a puddle at her feet. He was not without