You could have been more careful

I watched as Aeliana gazed at Nathaniel with those starry eyes. The Sergeant might have been good at his job, but in my eyes, he was a piece of shit. Strong, sure, but no stronger than a hundred other demons I'd met. And he had this holier-than-thou attitude that made me want to punch him in his pretty face. Seriously, what did Aeliana see in him?

He was fit, sure, but a lot of people were fit. It wasn't like his muscles could do anything mine couldn't. And his charm? Ugh, I wanted to gag.

Watching Aeliana make heart eyes at him was nauseating. It just reminded me of why love was a fucking useless emotion. Give me a night of fun and no strings attached over this sappy bullshit any day. Love was for the weak. 

I glanced at Aeliana again. There was something about her that pulled me in, despite my better judgment. I didn't know why I wanted her so badly, but the thought of conquering her, of making her mine even for just one night, was intoxicating.

I was pulled from my thoughts when I noticed Nathaniel looking at me. He walked over, that irritatingly confident smirk on his face.

"Ciara," he said, inclining his head in greeting. "Care for a spar?"

I smirked right back at him. This was going to be fun. Time to show Aeliana how weak her precious Sergeant really was. "Sure, Nathaniel. Let's see if you can keep up."

We moved to the center of the arena, and the soldiers gathered around to watch. The anticipation in the air was palpable. Nathaniel drew his sword, and I did the same, feeling the familiar weight of the blade in my hand.

We began to circle each other, eyes locked, each step measured and deliberate. Nathaniel's gaze was intense, his body coiled like a spring ready to unleash. He made the first move, lunging forward with a swift strike aimed at my midsection. I parried easily, the clash of our blades resonating with a sharp, metallic ring. "That all you got?" I taunted, my voice steady.

He grinned, not backing down. "Just warming up." With a sudden burst of energy, he swung again, launching a series of rapid strikes. I met each one with precision, our blades a blur of silver in the afternoon sun.

The crowd's murmurs grew, their appreciation evident as we danced around each other, the choreography of our duel both brutal and beautiful.

"Come on, Nathaniel," I sneered. "You can do better than that, can't you?" I saw the flicker of determination in his eyes just before he unleashed a powerful overhead swing. I sidestepped gracefully, bringing my sword up to his throat in a fluid motion.

He managed to deflect it just in time, but the flash of realization in his eyes told me he knew I was toying with him.

Our swords clashed again and again, each impact sending vibrations through my arm. Nathaniel was skilled, undeniably so, but I had years of experience and a lifetime of rigorous training on my side. My movements were a blend of speed and agility that his brute strength couldn't match.

From the corner of my eye, I saw Aeliana watching intently, her gaze never leaving us. The desire to impress her surged within me, spurring me to push harder, to show her that I was superior to this fool she seemed so drawn to.

Nathaniel attempted a low swing aimed at my legs, a tactic to unbalance me. I leapt into the air, my sword coming down with a forceful strike that sent him stumbling backward. Seizing the moment, I unleashed a flurry of blows, driving him to his knees.

He looked up, his breath ragged, sweat streaming down his face. "Is that all you've got?" I mocked, pressing my blade against his shoulder.

With a roar, he surged to his feet, knocking my sword aside in a desperate bid to turn the tide. His strikes were wild, fueled by frustration and fatigue. I deftly blocked and dodged, letting him expend his energy. His attacks grew slower, less coordinated, and I saw my opening.

In one swift, precise movement, I disarmed him, his sword skittering across the arena floor. I advanced, my blade at his chest, pushing him back until he fell to the ground, gasping for breath.

"Looks like you lose, Sergeant," I said, my voice dripping with disdain.

Before he could respond, I flicked my wrist, and my blade sliced across his arm, drawing a deep, bloody gash. He cried out in pain, clutching his arm as blood poured between his fingers.

The crowd fell silent, and I looked over to see Aeliana rushing towards him, her face pale with worry. She knelt beside him, her hands glowing with healing magic as she tried to staunch the bleeding.

"You could have been more careful, Ciara," she snapped, not even looking at me. Her focus was entirely on Nathaniel, and it pissed me off. Here I was, the victor, and she was tending to the loser.

I threw my sword on the ground, the clang echoing in the hushed arena. "I'm getting out of this shitty place," I growled, turning on my heel and storming out.

As I walked away, I could hear the murmurs of the soldiers behind me, and I knew they were talking about me, judging me. Let them. I didn't care. They were all beneath me, just like Nathaniel. And one day, Aeliana would realize it too.