A Court of Wings and Fate

12. Defense

"Pair off and work on the hand to hand maneuvers we went over yesterday! I want to see some wing work out there too!" Commander Ameer hollered.

Estelle scanned the training grounds for Celeste, Sienna, or anyone familiar. She spotted Celeste first, already paired up with Lysander. Estelle arched an eyebrow, catching her little brother's eye. She cast a pointed look at Celeste and he merely shrugged with a grin.

Estelle sighed and kept looking. Sienna was partnered up with another Illyrian female. Nyx and Calden had squared off, and Corbin stood in a ring opposite a brown haired and golden eyed Peregryn male.

"Need a partner, Batsy?" Mikael asked behind her. He sought her out at every training session now. She always gave him the same answer.

"No." She chose a random direction and started walking. Estelle smothered a groan as she heard Mikael's footsteps following her.

"You pulled a move on Sienna the other day that I thought was interesting. You used the curve of your wing to pull her off balance, but it looked like you used your horn in the process. I want to see if I can figure out how to do that too."

"It's a basic move. I learned it when I was ten. I'm sure you can work it out. Use one of your books."

"Books can only show you movements in the form of diagrams. I can study a diagram for hours and still not figure out how the maneuver is done. A physical instructor is far better."

The shadows were surprisingly quiet. Aren't you going to tell me to help your Angel of Dawn? Estelle scoffed.

"It'll give you an excuse to throw me around," Mikael added. Estelle paused, looking back over her shoulder. He grinned. "I knew that would catch your attention."

"Don't start smiling yet, Feathers. You won't like it when I throw you. Take it from Nyx." Estelle shouldered past him.

A point for the Prince of Sunrises, the shadows snickered in her ear.

You're keeping score now?

Marks of progress, both his and yours.

"Why would I ask Nyx when I can just find out for myself?" Mikael asked. "I may be a scholar, but nothing can beat hands on learning."

"Touch me outside of training and you will lose your hands," Estelle snapped.

A point for you.

Estelle strode into a ring and dropped her sword and dagger sheaths. Mikael followed suit, then grabbed a set of hand wraps that dangled from his belt. He situated them around his fists and shook hair from his eyes.

"Hand to hand first," he said. "My father is watching."

Estelle's gaze flickered beyond the rings, where Commander Ameer was making his rounds. She nodded begrudgingly and readied herself. Mikael struck high. She dodged and hooked her fist into his side. He brought up a leg, catching her blow. He jumped, swinging up his other leg in a roundhouse kick.

Estelle flipped herself backwards, flaring her wings out for additional balance as she straightened. Commander Ameer paused beside their ring. She launched another attack, but Mikael was ready. He blocked all of her blows and landed a solid punch to her gut.

Estelle staggered backwards and he took advantage of her disorientation, swinging at her face. She managed to avoid the attack and hooked her leg around his waist. Mikael raised his eyebrows.

She swung herself around him and onto his shoulders. With a roll of her hips, she threw him off balance. They hit the dirt and Estelle sprang to her feet. Mikael was up a heartbeat later. He wiped dust from his cheek, breathing heavily.