Sonya rose without accepting Simon's hand.
She brushed dust from the back of her clothes, then glared at him as though losing the spar had somehow been his fault.
Akaza watched her expression and gave a quiet snort.
"You should not look so offended. The result was hardly surprising."
Sonya turned toward him.
"What is that supposed to mean?"
"We have all sparred during the past month," Akaza replied. "We already know how powerful Blackmoon has become. Even when he uses only his body and limits his strength, his control and experience are troublesome."
He glanced at the shallow marks their feet had left across the floor.
"You losing was expected."
Sonya's heel pressed down, and a pebble rose from one of the cracks.
Akaza immediately pointed at her.
"Throw that and you prove I am right."
The pebble hovered for another heartbeat before dropping.
"This Honourable merely allowed little kitty to become confident before the invasion."
Simon looked at her.
"How generous."
