The Blood Maiden

Chapter 37 | Physical

Elaire's POV

"You're here." Narinig kong sabi ni Kaelis pagkapasok niya sa mala-kwebang silid ng arenas. "Thought you'd be busy preparing for the king's coronation next week."

Hindi ko siya pinansin at nagpatuloy sa paglilinis ng Sai swords ko. Duguan ang mga ito dahil kagagaling ko lang sa isang duel. One of the blades clinked on the clay table before I picked up the other sword to wipe it with a bloody rag.

Patuloy akong nagpunas, balewala ang paglapag ni Kaelis ng duguang daggers sa mesa. Sandali siyang naglaho mula sa aking paningin at bumalik na may dala ring basahan. Umupo siya sa tapat ko para simulan din ang paglilinis ng kanyang mga sandata.

Pinulot niya ang isang dagger. "You haven't thanked me."

"Thank you," agad kong sabi dahilan na makaani ako ng nababagot na tingin mula sa kanya.

Nang muli siyang tumuon sa paglilinis, "Do you even know what you thanked me for?"

"No," sagot ko. "I just wanted you to stop talking to me so I can clean my swords in peace."

"It's about the green gasoline, Elle." As always, he didn't get the hint, at nagpatuloy siya sa pakikipag-usap sa'kin. "If it weren't for me, the Halzenian king would've died in our kingdom."

"Thanks," pagpasalamat ko ulit ngayong naipaalam na niya sa'kin ito. "And aren't you supposed to be training the new members?"

Hindi kami nagsibalingan habang nag-uusap.

"Si Vesper na ang nagte-training sa kanila ngayon," aniya.

"Aclisia?"

"Not here."

"Harmon?"

"In the pits with Vesper."

Itinapat ko ang talim ng Sai sword sa liwanag ng nakasinding lampara. Pinihit-pihit ko ito sa kamay ko at nang may nahagilap ako na kaunting dugo, bumalik ako sa pagpupunas nito.

"Elle," sambit ni Kaelis. "Kulang ba ang sinasahod nila sa'yo sa palasyo?"

"I'm not here to just earn money, Kaelis," sabi ko sa kanya. "I'm here because I need to train."

"You can't train in the palace?" he asked.

"You sound like you don't want me here," I replied, na may kasamang dagliang tingin sa kanya. "Is it because you want to replace me as the arena champion?"

He grabbed another dagger to clean. "Are you inviting me to a duel, Elle?"

Sinundan ito ng isang buong minuto ng naglalabang katahimikan, nagtutugisang mga tagong sulyap, habang hindi pa kami tapos sa paglilinis ng aming mga sandata.

"Don't worry," I assured him. "I'm not going to kill you."

"Do try." His lips curved to a smirk. "Because I will, try to kill you."

'Yong sinabi niya. It ignited a spark of anticipation inside me because the truth was, I have been wanting to fight against him, ever since we fought together in the arenas.

For a moment, our eyes locked in a battle of wills. Kung sino ang unang magpapakita ng pag-alinlangan ang siyang matatalo. But neither of us got a glimpse of each other's weakness. Instead, we found ourselves trying to drown each other's stare, as if we could actually break down each other's walls with just a look.

"I'll defeat you without magic," sabi ko, habang pinapaibabaw ang aking titig.

Pinaningkitan niya naman ako. "Whatever you say, Elle."

"You know you'll just embarrass yourself, Kaelis." I gave him a chance to back out. "Stop playing with me—"

"I am not," giit niya, determinado. "Playing with you."