Rhian looked at her. "Come on… stop holding back."
Nia narrowed her eyes. There was something off. He knew what that ability did to her.
He knew the strain it put on her body, the way it left her aching for days after even a short use. And yet here he was, taunting her to bring it out. Again.
It wasn't just this moment, either. She had noticed it lately, Rhian had been fighting rougher, hitting harder, and demanding more from every spar.
It wasn't like before, when they exchanged moves and respected each other's limits. Now, he pushed her like he had something to prove.
And deep down, she had a feeling it wasn't about her at all.
She wondered what was going on with him, what was driving this shift in the way he fought. But the thought barely settled before Rhian lunged forward without hesitation.
His right fist came fast, a bait. Nia sidestepped on instinct, only to realize too late that it was what he wanted.