The explosion threw them both back.
Reign hit the ground hard, ears ringing. Smoke and steam filled the courtyard, thick enough to choke on. She rolled to her feet, searching for the Fire Prince through the haze.
He emerged from the other side, clothes singed, face streaked with ash. Blood ran from a cut above his eye. But he was grinning.
"Now we're getting somewhere," he said.
She didn't waste breath on answers. Just launched herself forward, ice forming a blade in her hand. He met her with fire wrapped around his fist. The collision sent shockwaves through the courtyard.
Strike. Counter. Dodge. Block.
They moved like they'd been fighting each other for years instead of minutes. Her ice adapted to his patterns. His fire found gaps in her defense. Neither gave ground.
Reign felt th
