FIRE NATION

CHAPTER 16

Roseanne ducked to one side, dodging the crackling whip of flame that lashed toward her. Sharp heat seared beside her cheek, but the blow didn't land. Lalisa's attacks almost never did, although it was becoming more and more difficult to avoid them. The near miss didn't shake her. She vaulted into a handspring, outpacing the brilliant plumes of fire Lalisa shot at her. Staying ahead wasn't too challenging, but getting close would be.

She hit the ground and sprinted, weaving to make herself a more difficult target. A tight twirl only just spared her from a streaking ribbon of blue fire. Lalisa fell into a defensive stance before she could get close, moving her flattened palms in circles. Burning wheels spun between them, and Roseanne knew approaching from the front was useless. Firebending was offensive by nature, but Lalisa's defenses had shored up considerably over the past few weeks.

Instead of trying to break through, Roseanne fought to find a way around. She took several jabs, knowing they would miss, but gaining valuable ground. Lalisa tensed with concentration, and Roseanne saw beads of sweat break out around her temples. She smirked in satisfaction. Her best chance of winning was to wear Lalisa down.

"I'm getting better at this, aren't I?" Lalisa panted, letting her fists flicker out. Normally, Roseanne would have chastised her for not using her bending, but she was curious to see how Lalisa would fare without it. If her student felt confident enough to try and take her down with chi blocking alone, that was a good sign.

"We'll see," Roseanne said, wasting as little breath as possible. She blocked Lalisa's first blow with her forearm, sending it glancing to the side. Lalisa didn't let it faze her. She rolled her shoulder and crouched, dropping into position to try again.

Although she could have launched her own attack, Roseanne decided to wait. She wanted to see what Lalisa had managed to pick up during their training. Lalisa's movements were quick and confident, if a bit obvious. Roseanne didn't have any trouble, but she doubted Larce would know how to defend against them with anything other than brute force. If Lalisa could get near enough and land a hit, she stood a decent chance.

"You're improving," Roseanne said, leaning just in time to dodge a tap to her shoulder. Lalisa had been a second too slow, but her aim was almost perfect. "Maybe you'll be able to defeat the Fire Lord after all."

"I will be the Fire Lord." Lalisa's eyes narrowed, beginning to smolder. She struck again, missing by less than the length of a finger. "Let's make this interesting. If I paralyze you, I get to fuck you before I let you go. Right here on the training mat."

Lalisa's suggestion was so distracting that Roseanne nearly forgot to dodge. The prospect of Lalisa's hard body over hers, driving into her while she couldn't move, sent a pulse of desire straight between her legs. She had long since stopped pretending that the prospect of being overpowered was unappealing. But an even better idea began to take shape as she sidestepped another strike—Lalisa, frozen under her, unable to do anything but endure while she took her pleasure. It would be a complete reversal of their roles, proof that the dynamic between them had shifted.

She hadn't known she wanted it until Lalisa brought it up, but suddenly, it was all she could think about.

"Fine. But if I win, I want the same prize." Lalisa faltered, and Roseanne took advantage of the moment, backing her toward the nearest corner. "The chance to do anything I want." She struck, and Lalisa barely managed to move in time. "By the way, it's been over a month, and you haven't beaten me yet."

Lalisa's hand snapped out, seizing her wrist and drawing her in. "There's a first time for everything."

Roseanne allowed herself to be pulled, using the momentum and taking the next opening she saw. She twisted further than Lalisa expected, landing a soft tap right at the base of her spine. Lalisa froze, eyes widening as most of her muscles went limp. She dropped to her knees, and Roseanne helped her the rest of the way so she wouldn't fall. "Maybe. But not today."