The Duchess felt like the world slowed down around her. The seas of gold, white, and blue became a pale grey and black, the only outline of red being the enemy right across from her. It was like she could see Sylas' very heart pumping, every shift and twitch of his muscle reflected in her eyes.
She crossed her daggers, blocking the path to her liver. She could feel his fist and exactly where it would land almost as though there was a push and pull of gravity between their two blood streams.
BANG.
A fist landed across her chin.
Her head spun to the side, her eyes widening in shock.
She had been so sure of where the attack would land.
"No!" her body swayed off the branch, panic taking hold in her heart. But she barely had the time to think before her brain shut down and instinct took over.
Sylas landed on the branch deftly, about to make a move to catch her when his eyes narrowed.
