Chapter 50

[ 1,025 words ]

Arabella Toussaint:

Did Maya really try to contact me? What if it was just my imagination? Just a coincidence?

But I knew those numbers. We played that game a lot.

Our secret decoding game. Once Vanessa caught our chit but couldn’t find out what was written there.

Lost in my thoughts, I wandered through the palace without paying attention to where I was going. I didn’t even realize I had reached the training grounds. Suddenly, a foot slid in front of mine.

I stumbled. Before I could catch myself, I crashed hard onto the ground. Laughter erupted around me.

Heat rushed to my face as I pushed myself up on my elbows. I looked up and found that mean warrior girl standing over me with arms folded across her chest. The smug smile on her face was hard to miss.

“Well, well, well….” She drawled, looking me up and down, “What an upgrade!”

I looked down at my black jeans that were now covered in mud.

“A few days ago, you were scrubbing pots in the kitchen,” her smile widened, “Now look at you. Spreading your puny legs for the king?”

Her words struck harder than the fall. It made something burn inside me.

What did she just say? She thought we slept together? Was that why His Highness allowed me to walk freely in the palace? In return for my… umm services?

I stood there, my hands hanging limply at my sides as I heard the laughter of the warriors gathered around us.

These were the same warriors who got their boots cleaned by me.

I wanted to tell them that the king wouldn’t like it. But why scare them off by taking the king’s name? Was I a baby?

Jasmine tilted her head, “What happened?” she asked me with a sweet smile, “Did I hurt your feelings, kiddo?”

Something stirred inside me. That familiar strange sensation was back, crawling beneath my skin. It started in my wrists before slithering through my veins, sending tiny tingles into my fingertips. Another pulse brushed against my temples as though hundreds of tiny legs were crawling beneath my skin. It reminded me of the insects I felt just yesterday.

Why was she bullying me?

Trying to ignore those strange sensations, I smiled. And this time I just knew that my smile wasn’t my usual timid one.

Jasmine’s smile seemed to falter a little.

“You know?” I moved a little to get closer to her, “I was told that you’re a very capable and skilled head warrior. But today… I’m quite disappointed,” I glanced at the soldiers watching us, “You spend an awful lot of time worrying about who shares the king’s bed. What about our borders, head warrior?” I made a face while asking her, “What about the security measures to avoid further attacks on the royal family?”

The laughter stopped, and her expression froze.

Without realizing what I was doing, I began circling her slowly. Like a tigress. Assessing its prey. My fingers brushed lightly over my wrist as I tried to get rid of the strange crawling sensation still weaving through my veins.

Her sharp eyes caught my little action, and she smirked, “What? Couldn’t take a shower before coming out of the quarters?”

“Oh, I did take a shower,” I tried to smile, “And I was not alone,” I finished with a smug wink and then decided to return to the king’s chambers.

My shoulders suddenly felt heavy. I was enjoying this verbal judo, but I wanted to climb into bed and sleep.

Jasmine seemed taken aback by my boldness, and I didn’t stop to take in the expressions on other warriors’ faces. But she was the one who started this.

She deserved it.

I was crossing the royal backyard when a hand shot out in front of me, blocking my path. I looked up and was taken aback when I saw Jasmine standing there.

What kind of sick game was she playing?

“How dare you question me about the kingdom’s security?” She hissed, taking a step closer, “Since when am I answerable to an ugly mistress?” She tried to smile.

Uh huh. She seemed a little obsessed with me. Because that must be the only reason she decided to follow me.

“You’re right,” I said with a subtle nod, “You aren’t answerable to me,” I tilted my head a little, batting my eyes with fake innocence, “But you’re answerable to the King.”

Jasmine tightened her jaw and opened her mouth to speak, but my hand shot out to brush off invisible dirt from her khaki training shirt, “Spend less time worrying about my sex positions…” I said with a pout, “… and make sure no one sneaks into the palace grounds again.”

Her eyes flashed in disbelief, but soon it was replaced by a forced playful smile, “You’ve suddenly found a backbone, Slave. How about you prove it too?”

I frowned when I didn’t understand her question.

“Tomorrow evening the king is leaving for an overnight visit to the Red Moon Pack. I’ll wait for you in the west training grounds. Nobody is usually there. We’ll have complete privacy,” A dangerous smile spread on her lips as she tilted her head, “You and me. No guards. No servants. Just a fight.”

Fight? Was she seriously asking me to fight her, knowing full well that I didn’t have a wolf? Nobody ever trained me for such fights. It would never be a fair fight.

Like, come on. She was a head warrior.

For a brief moment, common sense screamed at me to refuse. Accepting the challenge would be the dumbest decision of my life.

I never fought a soul in my life.

I spoke before I could stop myself, “Fine…”

Jasmine looked at me as if I had lost my mind, and then a filthy smirk spread across her face, “Wow. You’re brave.”

She slapped my shoulder, “Try not to run away before tomorrow.”

With one last satisfied look, she turned on her heel and walked away. After she left, I released the breath I’d been holding.

Goddess. What had I just agreed to?

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