13. Chapter 13

OPHELIA

The metal door clanks and slides across the stone floor, my hackles raised and my sword pointed forward. It's been nearly two hours since King William left me here and I'm on edge, every little sound making me think that it's the moment I've been waiting for. The silence is torture and the stench is starting to sink into my skin.

I take a deep gulp, readying myself for anything when someone charges through the opening just as it clanks shut. Not waiting to be speared through, I raise my sword and slice through the air, awarded with a deep groan and a heavy thud. The outline of a large figure on the floor alerts me to my victory, wetness traveling down my cheeks.

Is that it?

Adrenaline races through me as I try to make sense of King William's plans. A cackle rings through the space and I look up, unable to make out the figure on the other side of my cage. However, with the glint of expensive stones, I know who's come down to visit me.

"You had no business touching my woman, soldier."

"She's not yours," I hiss. "She has to choose."

"And that would be me. Which is why I will ensure you won't leave this arena tonight."

I frown as I hear the door slide open again. The sparse light pouring in allows me to see who I'm facing and I'm not ready for the giant approaching me. These men are nothing like I've ever seen before but are remnants of the rumors from Queen Helvania's country. Thick, muscled, and nearing seven feet tall. Monsters in every sense of the world with their permanent snarls and terrifying green eyes so dark they are nearly black.

Why they are here in Kusovania, I have no idea but I stand no chance against men like these. The first one was lucky. The second one might also be. But these men may destroy me without breaking a sweat.

I have too much to live for, though.

"You see, if it was my choice, I would have had you speared through the heart when you were first brought to me. King William likes to play games but I need to ensure that he wins this deal. You will not find your way out of this, soldier. Give up and die or fight until you die. That's your choice."

There's a few hearty chuckles that no doubt come from her soldiers as another one steps in and then shuts the door behind him. A devilish grin splits across his face as he steps forward, cracking his knuckles with such glee that my stomach churns in disgust. Two against one? This… this was never going to be fair, was it?

I take a step back, cursing myself now that I'm plastered against a wall. To my left is the smaller room, the only thing between me and these two guards is the man I slayed a few moments ago. When the man on my right charges, I slash at him with the sword, catching his arm. He cries out but the sound is more like a roar, rumbling through the room.

The man on my left doesn't wait for his turn as he lunges toward me, a quick twist of my hips saving me from his sword. However, I'm not quick enough as he barrels into me, unable to stop his momentum. I stumble forward, groaning as I collide with the stone wall. Something cracks and pain shoots through my face as I hold back a cry.

No need to give Queen Helvania the satisfaction of my pain. Still, I know that if this is only the beginning, I'm in for a rough evening. The man behind me growls in frustration when I slip out of reach from his outstretched hands, the other swiftly moving in front of me for another attack. My heart beats erratically in my chest, my breath coming in quick pants even as I try to calm myself so that I can approach this as rationally as possible.

When the door clanks open again, another figure stepping inside, I know that all rational thought is no longer viable. With three of these men locked in here with me, I will have to use all of my wit and underhanded tactics. Growing up with two brothers has taught me a lot, nothing we would ever use in battle or on the front lines but a few moves that may give me the upper hand.

Taking several deep breaths, I close my eyes and then figure out my first step. They're expecting me to fight back, to lose control, to be unable to handle three men charging at me. Fine, I'll wait for them to come to me.

Their silence is terrifying, as if they're waiting for Queen Helvania to give them the go-ahead so I brace myself, once again holding my sword in front of me.

"I like when they put up a fight," the new guard purrs. Then chaos explodes as I swing my sword like I have nothing to lose, hoping and praying that I make it out of this room alive. Queen Helvania's cackles echo through the space as she disappears down the hall and it's the first jab to my side that catches me off guard.

I stumble to the ground, crawling around for relief. They seem to have been released in here without weapons, everyone so sure that I would succumb to their brute force.

A hand is on my ankle, dragging me backward, another person grabbing at my arm and pulling me in two different directions. I can't help the scream that tears from my soul as something pops in my shoulder. My other hand is still tightly wound around the hilt of my sword as I swing wildly, adrenaline kicking back up when it catches with the man holding my arm.

I kick my feet, rewarded with another groan as I fall to the ground before scrambling to stand and prepare for the next attack.

They keep… stopping.

Waiting.

This really is a show, a way for them to play with me until I die.

I won't be dying though.

Not tonight.

Not for a very long time.

"Stop playing with me," I push out, bracing myself for the worst. "If you want to die honorably, come at me like men."

They burst out in laughter. "We will not be dying, sweetheart."

"No? Well then, I guess we'll just have to see." I give them no warning as I charge at the one to my left and drag my sword up across his chest and continue as it slices through his chin. His eyes darken and he grunts before dropping to his knees. The other two rush toward me but I've gotten my second wind.

I've poked the beast but I'm determined to come out on top.

King William, you better hold up your end of the deal.

***

I have no idea how long I've been down here, covered in sweat and blood. My arm and side ache, both throbbing. Sharp jabs of pain run through my body as I wearily stumble to my feet for the millionth time. The three guards were hard to put down but underestimating me worked in my favor. Unfortunately, there seems to be a horde of them outside waiting their turn. Or maybe just a handful more.

I smack at the blood dribbling down my forehead into my eyes, my vision hazy and tunneling as I try to catch my breath. The tip of my sword drags along the stone as I find my footing, waiting for the door to clank open again. I'm hoping that it won't but my hopes are dashed as the drag of metal rings through the space, two more figures stepping inside.

"Why won't you just die? We thought we would be done with this hours ago."

"Because," I smack at the blood pooling down my forehead again, slowly raising my sword. "I have everything to live for." I'll fight for Juliette to have a choice. I'll fight to prove to King William that he can't dictate her life. I'll fight to return to my brothers because we need each other.