The Illyrian Warrior

Chapter Thirty-Three

Azriel stood at the edge of the ring polishing Truth Teller as he watched Davina ready herself to fight that ignorant Illyrian male. He glared at the male every time he risked a glance in their direction. Dead, that pathetic male would be dead if Azriel had his way. Polishing Truth Teller and waving it in the male's direction whenever he felt inclined was helping, but only a little bit. He had immediately wanted to object to this challenge, he would've dragged Davina away if he had to. But she would've hated him for it, and he couldn't stand to see more apprehension and hate in her eyes than there already was.

"Strap me up?"

Azriel blinked at the question but didn't hesitate to sheath Truth Teller and tighten the buckle around Davina's waist. Azriel had a strong feeling Davina was only doing this so he could occupy his hands another way instead of sending threats at the opposing male.

"Relax", she said pointedly, "I'll be fine, I'm a good fighter. You did train me".

Azriel sighed, allowing his hands to linger on the closed buckle a second longer than they needed to.

"I am relaxed", he replied.

"No you're not, you're acting all protective and moody".

"I am not being moody", Azriel grumbled as Davina faced him, tying up her hair as she did.

Davina raised a brow, "you didn't deny the protective part".

Azriel glanced at the male in the ring who was being hyped up by equally stupid males.

"I'll kill him if he hurts you", Azriel growled.

Davina grabbed Azriel's jaw, using it to turn his head to face her.

"It's a fair fight", she said, "if I get hurt it'd be a fair win".

Azriel hated that she was making sense. The mating bond was destroying any other thought besides the primal one to protect Davina.

"I'll be okay", Davina said before leaning up and kissing Azriel on the cheek.

Azriel couldn't make any objections as Davina wandered off towards the fighting ring. The males on the opposing side were sneering all sorts of obscenities. Cassian slapped Azriel on the shoulder.

"She'll be fine", he said watching the way Davina annoyed the males, "she knows what she's doing".

Azriel didn't doubt it. Davina was smart, she always was. He just despised his species and would squish every single one of them if Rhys gave him the chance. What fucking species degrades their women like that? And restricts their role in life to nothing more but a child barer? Savages.

Rhys watched Azriel out the corner of his eye. Azriel shadows were swirling around him, it was an effort to hold them back as Davina shook the male's hand.

"You cannot, under any circumstances, interrupt the fight", Rhysand whispered to Azriel.

Azriel risked a glare at his High Lord. If Davina were truely hurt and the male wasn't relenting, of course Azriel would step in. He couldn't bare to see her hurt like she'd been so many times before.

"If you don't think you can manage that", Rhysand said sternly, "then leave and come back in a hour or once you've cooled down".

The second worst thing, in Azriel's opinion, would be to leave and be unable to silently threaten anyone that opposed Davina.

"I'll be fine", Azriel hissed.

"Good", Rhysand replied curtly.

Seconds later, Davina was in a fighting stance, preparing to take on the ignorant male. Azriel hadn't seen Davina do any fighting in a while, but it was nice to see her in her element, in the stance they had workshopped together so long ago. Cassian was cheering loudly as Davina and the male circled each other, both looking for the perfect opportunity to strike.

"Kick his ass, Davina!" Cassian roared even though nobody had even punched the other yet.

Rhysand rolled his eyes at his brother's enthusiasm, but even Azriel could see a smile pulling at his lips. It wasn't long until the male lunged forward, aiming to punch Davina in the shoulder. His form was as close to perfect as you could get, there was a reason he was Dallas' personal guard. It became clear to Azriel that Davina had purposefully left her shoulder open in order to bait her opponent. Since Davina had predicted his move, she dodged easily out of his way. Cassian whooped loudly. Using her momentum from the dodge, Davina punched the male in the stomach.

He winced in pain, his face scrunching up at the effort to remain standing. Azriel was inclined to cheer louder than Cassian in that moment. Although his happiness was short-lived as the male swung his wing around and knocked Davina off her feet. She fell to the ground and landed with a thud on her ass. After the brief surprise, Davina quickly recovered and kicked the male in his shin as he stalked closer to pin her. He hissed in pain which allowed Davina enough time to stand up and return to her stance.

Azriel knew this fight meant a lot for Davina. As they fought, several Illyrians surrounded them to watch. Both males and females watched with skepticism and awe as a female was outcompeting the best male in their camp. It would install confidence in the female Illyrians, and Azriel knew how much this cause meant to Davina.

Davina and the male continued in their tango of punching and dodging, Davina only got hit twice and when she did, she always hit back harder. It was going to be a struggle to pin down the Illyrian male but after Davina had kicked him to the kidneys he was in enough pain that he didn't resist.

As Davina had him pinned, the surrounding Illyrian males looked furious. Azriel watched them carefully as they eyed Davina. If they touched a hair on her head, Azriel would tear them apart.

"Easy, Azriel", Rhysand said maintaining the mask of the polite High Lord, "they won't try anything while we are here".

Azriel relaxed his shoulders, Rhys was right, what male would be foolish enough to harm Davina with a High Lord present.

Davina leant down to help up the Illyrian male who was still in pain, but the ignorant prick slapped her hand away. Davina merely shrugged and pushed through the small crowd to stand by their side.

"Told you I'd be okay", Davina said brushing her hair out of her face, the ponytail had come loose in the fighting.

"You did amazing!" Cassian said ruffling Davina's hair more, "I'm super proud, little warrior!"

Azriel subtly tucked Davina into his side. All these males were staring at her as if she was either food to be hunted or a female to be conquered.

"You did well, I think you impressed the females", Azriel said softly kissing her head.

Davina looked around at the females who looked towards her in admiration.

"Do you think we could win them over now?" Davina asked Rhysand who'd be surveying the crowd.

"I think you've already won them over", Rhysand replied smoothly.