Race

Gladious snarled, flames flaring around his fists, but I held my ground, unwavering. The room crackled with energy as our powers clashed, the heat of his flames meeting the cold fury of my storm. Azazel's gaze flicked between us, her body tense, ready to bolt at the first sign of violence.

"Do you think you can challenge me, El-Kharis?" Gladious spat, his voice a low rumble, the floor beneath us vibrating with his barely contained rage. "You dare to insult me in my own domain?"

"I don't care about your domain," I shot back, my voice cold as ice. "This realm is under my protection, and that includes my mate. Your little trysts with Azazel are of no concern to me, but if you think for one moment that I will allow her to conspire against Esteria, you are sorely mistaken."

Azazel finally found her voice, trembling with fear and fury. "El-Kharis, please, I was only—"