Axel's POV
A mad giggle burst from Shahar as he lunged at me again with fast and wild strikes, like he had something to prove. I gritted my teeth, blocking him, but his speed had doubled since we started. I was sparring, he was fighting like his life depended on it.
"Admit that I won," Shahar taunted, breathless. A grin stretched across his face as he tried to pin me down.
"Fuck off," I grumbled, shoving his hand away when he tried to pull me up.
It was all lighthearted, nothing serious, but even the warriors watching knew he had put in twice the effort I had. A few of them chuckled, shaking their heads even when we both knew I was naturally stronger. Shahar had always been this way, competing with me in ways I never invited.
"I smell like shit. I'll freshen up before coming back to see Eve," he said, wiping sweat from his forehead.
Something sharp twisted in my chest, and I forced a smile, pretending his words didn’t sink into my bones like a curse.
Envy.
It burned through me like a
