Tiva Boon: Heir of Abennelp (Tiva Boon Series Book 2) by Jenn Nixon Read Free Book Online

plummeted toward him. He raised his arms in front of his face. Her foot connected with his forearms with enough impact to push him backward, but before he fell, he grabbed her ankle, pulled her down, and slammed her into the ground with him.
    His grip was tight; there was no way to break free. Catching her breath, she twisted her body trying to break loose. Tiva lifted her free leg into the air and forced it down toward his stomach. The strike was forceful, he let out a small gasp, and his hands opened releasing her. He seized her other foot, twisted her over. She cringed and got to her knees. Adam kicked her in the back, sending her across the room. She hid a grin at the force of his attack. No one had fought this hard against her during a spar. No one had challenged her in this manner before for various reasons. Cooper had certainly gained her interest.
    After rising to her feet, she looked across the room and waited for him to move. Instead, he stood up, spread his wings, and took to the air. For a moment, he lingered in the air above her, dusting himself off.
    “Hmm, I seem to be getting dirty...” he said, laughing. “You’re a lot better than the riff-raff I usually school.”
    She followed his ascent and skewed her head. “You have trained before?”
    “No. Well, yes, but it’s an expression. It means horribly, horribly defeat.”
    “Oh, I see. I trained in a more stringent environment than this. Many here have learned late in life. This is all I have ever known...”
    In a fluid motion, he turned in the air, bringing his foot around in a wide arc, level with her shoulder. Though she was talking, she neither missed the attack nor lowered her guard. Knowing that grabbing hold of him would not serve her, she ducked as the kick landed on her shoulder. She growled and rolled forward springing up behind him. She spun around raising her leg high in the air targeting his shins.
    The strength of her attack pushed him back, though he adjusted his wings using the momentum to spin. His foot tilted toward her head. She felt the breeze as his position changed, and barely dodged the assault. She tucked her head down at the last second only to feel the heel of his boot slam into the base of her neck. Crumpling to the ground, she grunted before jumping to her feet and turning around. He was an impressive fighter, and did not seem to hold anything back. Adam took the brunt of her attacks with ease. Next time, she would be more aggressive.
    “You have a superior advantage due to your wings.”
    “I suppose I do.” He grinned, his wings flapped, bridging the distance between them.
    “I do not know how to counter your measures. I have never fought someone who could fly.”
    “Then you must practice. That is how one gets better. But you’re a damn good fighter, Tiva.”
    Her markings lightened. “Thank you, though I doubt I will come across many like you in combat.”
    “Probably not. After all, I haven’t met anyone like me in ages,” he replied with a chuckle and descended to the ground. “So, what does it mean when your moons get lighter? Does it mean you’re having fun?”
    “Yes,” she lied. Took a moment to catch her breath. “And I thank you. I must admit this is the most fun I have had since being here. You are a formidable opponent. But I must retire for the evening...”
    “Yeah, early start...”
    “Thank you for the spar, Adam.”
    “Anytime, Tiva.”
    Tiva extended her hand as she had seen done so many times before. He took her hand in his and lightly kissed it. She blinked and her markings pinked. Smiling kindly, she slipped her hand from his.
    “Goodnight.” She moved toward the exit.
    “Goodnight.”
    She glanced back once to see him step back and draw his sword. He swung it at nothing, merely practicing. She was tempted to watch and learn his fighting style, but instead, she silently took her leave.

Chapter Four
     
     
    Captain Maar called Tiva and the others into his office soon after they