Mated To An Enemy

The grey eyes Ashleigh had grown to love and cherish now bore into her soul as the imposing figure stared at her with cold judgment.

“He looks like you,” Ashleigh whispered, thinking of Caleb’s eyes, his strong jaw, and his auburn hair.

“My great son has many admirable qualities,” Solana said.

“Are you… my Luna?” Ashleigh asked.

Solana’s eyes lit up brightly.

“I am THE Luna,” she growled. “You wish to take the role; you must prove your worth.”

“Did Fiona meet you?” Ashleigh asked.

“In one form or another,” Solana replied. “But not like this, not in my true form.”

“Why not?” Ashleigh asked.

“You already know.”

“No, I don’t.”

“You do,” Solana grinned. “You just don’t remember.”

‘She mocks you,’ a voice whispered in Ashleigh’s ear. ‘Teach her who the real Luna is.’

Ashleigh looked behind her but found no one._-.

“You dare to turn your back on me?” Solana asked with a growl.

“No! Sorry,” Ashleigh said quickly. “I thought I heard someone else’s voice.”

“I am the only one you should be listening to,” Solana growled.

Ashleigh swallowed.

‘She thinks you are too weak to take the role of Luna…’ the voice whispered.

Ashleigh shook her head, trying to focus.

“Fiona mentioned a hunt,” Ashleigh said. “Is that what I need to do?”

Solana chuckled softly. She grinned like she held a secret.

“No child,” she said. “There will be no hunt, not for you.”

“Then what?” Ashleigh asked.

Solana lowered the sword from her shoulder, holding it in front of her as she smiled.

“Best me in combat,” she said. “Then, I will acknowledge you.”

Ashleigh couldn’t help but think of how Fiona had forced her to play the game for weeks.

‘Is this a Summer thing?’ she wondered to herself.

Before Ashleigh had a chance to reply, Solana charged at her. She brought the sword down hard. Ashleigh was barely able to move out of the way.

She dove forward into a summersault and put some distance between them.

“Come, daughter of Winter, show me your worth!” Solana cried out as she charged at Ashleigh once again.

‘Daughter of Winter… she says it with scorn… as though Summer is superior in any way!’ the voice growled.

Ashleigh ignored the voice and pressed the pin at her chest, bringing forth her armor and summoning two daggers.

She crossed her arms and held the daggers up to block just as Solana was coming down at her with the sword.

Ashleigh grunted and strained to hold the sword back.

Solana was a strong opponent, and down on one knee, Ashleigh was in a poor position to fight. Still, she managed to gather her strength enough to push Solana back.

Ashleigh quickly got to her feet and took several steps back, putting distance between them.

“You are strong,” Solana said.

“Thank you,” Ashleigh replied.

‘Do you hear the surprise in her voice?’ the voice whispered again. ‘She treats you like a child!’

Ashleigh looked around once more. Where was this voice coming from?

Solana charged again; this time, Ashleigh was distracted, only noticing at the last moment. She dodged but not before the sword left a deep wound in her arm.

“Argh!” Ashleigh cried out, dropping her weapons. She grabbed the injured arm with a howl.

“Focus!” Solana snarled, attacking once more.

Ashleigh was able to step aside as Solana tried to run her through. However, as she stepped to the side and turned, Ashleigh was able to land a hit on Solana’s shoulder.

Solana hissed and spun round. She gave Ashleigh a dark glare.

Ashleigh clenched her jaw and got herself into a defensive position.

Taking a deep breath, the Luna sheathed her sword at her back.

Ashleigh furrowed her brow but did not relax her stance.

Solana ran at Ashleigh, who prepared to block a flurry of blows but was surprised when Solana jumped over her. She kicked Ashleigh between the shoulder blades. Sending her falling forward into the dirt.

Ashleigh recovered quickly and rolled away just as Solana prepared to stomp on her. She got to her feet and observed Solana for any sign of where she would move next.

“Are you scared to fight me, child?” Solana asked with a grin.

The other voice that Ashleigh had been hearing growled in response.

“No,” Ashleigh said. “I’m not.”

Ashleigh charged at Solana.

She punched and kicked but was blocked at every move. Solana smiled the entire time.

Ashleigh growled and increased the momentum of her attacks, but still, she couldn’t break through Solana’s defenses.

Ashleigh was getting tired, never had she fought someone that was able to block her every move like this. Even Caleb and Fiona had taken several hits from her during their sparring.

She felt her strength waning.

“Is that all?” Solana sighed.

Ashleigh looked up. Solana smiled and then drew back.

“My turn,” she whispered.

Solana’s open palm flew forward, slamming into Ashleigh’s face. The pain shot through her like a shotgun blast as her entire body was thrown back into the solid earth below.

Ashleigh tried to move, but her body ached, and her energy was all but drained.

Solana stepped forward, standing above her with a satisfied grin.

“Have you given up already?” she asked with disappointment. “The way Lian spoke of you, I expected so much more.”

‘See how she looks down on you?’ the voice whispered. ‘She never planned to accept you. She only wanted to humiliate you.’

Ashleigh clenched her jaw and took quick breaths through her nose as she felt the rage rising in her chest. She took a deep breath and rose to her feet.

“I don’t give up,” Ashleigh growled in a voice deeper than her own as the moonlight shone through her eyes.

Solana’s eyes widened. She took a step back and then narrowed them again. An angry growl escaped her lips as Ashleigh’s appearance changed before her eyes.

The spectral armor of steel with golden accents and fur lining at the shoulders appeared to form over Ashleigh’s body.

A circlet of gold and steel adorned with a set of small wings at her temples.

In her hand, she held a great sword of steel and gold.

And her eyes were filled with the bright white light of the full moon.

A slow smile spread across Ashleigh’s face.

“Now, it is my turn,” said the voice whispering in her ear.

Solana growled once more. She reached her hand back and grabbed the hilt of her sword, unsheathing it and preparing to fight.

With low snarls and growls, Ashleigh and Solana charged each other.

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