"Ah!" Zaeryn stumbled backward, one hand flying instinctively to his face. His left eye began watering uncontrollably, the tears streaming down his cheek. The skin around his eye felt raw and hypersensitive, every nerve ending screaming. When he pulled his hand away to look, there was no blood but the area near his eye was angry red and already starting to swell.
"That's what happens," Leia said, her voice carrying a note of dark satisfaction, "when you play with fire."
Through his watering, compromised vision, Zaeryn could see her advancing again, flames now dancing around both fists like eager hounds straining at their leashes.
His vision was blurred. His face felt like someone had pressed a hot iron against it. His reserves were nearly empty.
But still, Zaeryn refused to quit. Not like this. Not when he'd proven he could hurt her, could surprise her, could fight on his own terms.
