Chapter 14

Chapter

Fourteen

TAMAS

Osmud and Garrat would question my sanity. In quieter moments, I'd question myself too, but hiding before the eyes of my enemy was an excellent sport. Still, I couldn't shake Romelda's persistent warnings. The people of the north relied on my success, and I was whittling away precious time fooling the Tannard heirs.

Unfortunately, it was only after I'd taken possession of Bloodwyn's soul did I learn he wasn't favored among the elite of Tarragona and was often shunned from important events. This meant it would take some work on my behalf to ingratiate myself with the royal family. Juel, in particular, loathed Bloodwyn because of his expertise across the card table and his stamina with the ladies.

I worked the blunted sword, assessing its weight and balance in my hand. Shoddy craftsmanship had gone into fashioning its blade, and the guard was severely dented, but it was evenly balanced and lighter than what I was used to. It would do.

I waited opposite the royal box, in the shade of the pavilion, my attention fixed on the woman sitting beside Juel. Tressya had yet to see me; her gaze was on the two noblemen fighting in the arena. I was sure she soaked in every move the nobles made. Given I suspected her sword skills to be excellent, I would assume she found them lacking, as did I. Already, I had a dozen offensive and defensive moves playing out in my head to counter every blow either made.

Having placed two gold gowl on the tall redhead winning, I left the pavilion and headed for the royal box.

A united groan rippled through the onlookers to signal the end of the fight. I didn't bother to glance at the winner. Tressya settled back in her seat. Beside her, Juel turned to his mistress, Lady Astaria, giving Tressya his back. I smirked, enjoying the thought of the humiliation I would deal Juel on her behalf and for my pleasure.

Tressya did a double-take when she caught my approach. The closer I came, the more her brows knitted together. When she glanced around to Juel, I was sure she contemplated ways to avoid our meeting.

"Your Highnesses," I exaggerated my bow, keeping my eyes on Tressya as I rose.

"Lord Bloodwyn," Juel drawled, looking down on me from his seat. Seeing the sword in my hand, he quirked a brow. "Are you here to ask me to put money on your win?" He snorted a laugh as he turned to Lady Astaria, who fluttered her fan as she sniggered.

"I've come to ask if you would join me in the arena?"

"No," snapped Tressya.

Juel stared at her in stunned silence.

"I see Your Highness is practicing her charm for her duty as wife." I gave a short bow, adding salt to the injury. Her furious glare made the win all the more rewarding.

"His Highness does as he pleases," she announced, raising her voice so everyone in the royal box could hear.

"Spoken like a dutiful wife," Juel replied.

I regretted forcing everyone's attention to Tressya in this way.

"I feel such a fight is beneath you, Sire. Surely you could find yourself a more worthy opponent," Tressya responded with a strong voice.

Good. Juel had failed to humiliate her. My smile broadened. Juel was about to suffer some hard knocks thanks to Tressya. I was going to savor every moment of this.

"What you say has merit," Juel sounded mollified.

"To refuse a request in front of his royal court…" I faded away, leaving everyone's minds to wander on my suggestion.

"To beg in front of the royal court is little better," Tressya countered.

"To stand behind the skirts of one's betrothed?—"

"Return to your card games, my lord, and leave sports to the men."

"You've asked about me. I'm flattered." I locked my eyes on hers and gave a small wink.

Having remained in stunned silence through our banter, Juel, along with everyone else within the royal box, now stared at Tressya. My cue to rescue her.

"Your Highness, I apologize for the intrusion."

"Wait," he demanded. "I can make up my own mind." He rose from his seat, looking down on Lady Astaria. "I leave your side momentarily. I'll finish this soon enough, and then we shall retire to the pavilion for tea."

Tressya's glare turn sharp as an arrow when I gave her another wink.

"Ten minutes, Bloodwyn." Juel waved at his squire to attend him as he strode away.

"Take your time, Sire." I strolled toward the preparation tents close to the entrance of the arena, keeping my attention on my back. She had ten minutes to accost me with her whip-like tongue before I ground Juel into the sand.

"Last night was a mistake," she panted, hurrying toward me from between the tents.

She wore a deep green gown that set off her blue eyes, practically glowing in her fury. I wasn't a romantic, but the blood-red streaks of color glistening through her black hair made me ponder a poetic line or two. "Because you failed to kiss me?"

"I left you alive. That's not a mistake I'll make again."

I waved my sword. "It's blunt. Now's the perfect time." And I opened my arms, offering my chest.

Compared to me, she was so small, yet her demeanor was anything but meek. She inhaled deeply. "I'm smarter than that, but you're an imbecile, so I should warn you of your failure should you do anything out there."

I could crush her in one hand if I chose, but I'd rather anchor her to me while I kissed the fury out of her. "A good thrashing is all I plan."

"Coming from a man who loves wine, women, and gambling."

"Wine, not so much. But I'm touched you've taken the time to get to know me."

She folded her arms. Stars, I loved teasing her. "I'm interested in the man underneath."

It was an attack, not a seduction, but my blood boiled all the same. "Well, well, you have got to know me."

She took a step back when I advanced forward, dropping her arms as her haughty expression faltered. A flicker of some emotion crossed her face—self-admonishment, I would say—before she drew herself straight.

"It was hard. Few find you interesting enough to talk about."

"But that's not who you're interested in, remember?"

She briefly closed her eyes while exhaling. Calming breaths. I knew all about those. And I was getting under her skin. Excellent. It's where I wanted to be; under her skin; in fact, inside of her any way I could.

"Tell me if I'm going to live long enough to be queen?"

"I'm not an augur, but if you eat well, drink less, and stay away from dangerous men, you should live a normal lifespan."

She pulled up her sleeve, baring the scar I'd made. "This," she demanded.

"Do you really want to be queen?"

"I want an answer."

"Beside Juel, I'm sure it'll be a loathsome duty."

She growled, bunching her fists. "Not as loathsome as time spent with you. Now tell me."

"It won't kill you."

"Then why did you do it?"

"So I could hunt you." Really, where was my head? The words just came out. I probably made a terrible mistake in revealing that. Her eyes flared as her lips parted in horror.

"Then it's poison," she hissed.

"It depends on your point of view. If you were Huungardred, you'd be flattered."

"I'm appalled."

That wounded. "Though it's never done without permission. I apologize for that, but it was necessary," I wasn't going to tell her everything about the bite.

"The Salmun will have means of nullifying it."

"You haven't revealed me yet, so I doubt you'll do it now." I could only hope. Osmud and Garrat would gut me for this. Romelda would burn me on the spot.

"I bit you, so I didn't have to kill you. I needed a way of keeping track of you, and that was my only option at the time."

"What does that mean? Tell me what it does specifically."

"You don't want to know the specifics, trust me. Let's just say you're never far from my mind now."

She took a step toward me. "Listen to me, beast-man. Either you tell me the truth, or I'll?—"

"The bite is part of a love ritual between two mating partners when they surrender themselves to each other. It's a Huungardred tradition."

Her mouth sagged open as she stared at me.

"It's usually very well received by both partners in the relationship."

"We're not in a relationship," she shrieked. "Unless you want to count enemies until death."

"Death is usually the only way to separate a mated pair."

Tressya's eyes could go no wider. I closed her mouth with a finger under her chin, but she jerked her head away. "Then I shall have to make yours swift."

I chuckled.

Then she surprised me by saying, "So you've just blown your chance at…" She swallowed. "Mating…" A faint flush filled her cheeks. I couldn't be sure if it was embarrassment or fury. "With someone else."

At the time, I was desperate and had shunned thinking about the implications of what I'd done.

"Essentially, yes."

This meant I could never accept Bryra as my mate, not in the full sense, not as a Huungardred would like. I pushed the guilt aside for not speaking with Thaindrus first before committing myself as I had. But if Thaindrus knew the reason for my actions, he'd understand; at least I hoped he would.

"This makes no sense. You make no sense. Why would you do that? Why are you being so honest with me?"

"I plan to lull you into trusting me."

"Huh," she snorted. "That will never happen." She jabbed her hands on her hips. "Tell me how it makes me easier to… hunt?"

"I'm all out of confessions for now."

"Then I'll have to find my answers elsewhere."

"Is that a threat, little princess?"

"Take it how you like, beast-man."

Hurrying footsteps disturbed us. I looked beyond Tressya to see Juel's squire rushing over. Saved. Thank the stars.

"Your lord?—"

"On my way." I bowed to Tressya, giving her no time for a rebuttal, and headed toward the arena.

You fool, Tamas . I should never have told her the truth.

I watched her stomp away, feeling more convinced than during our first meeting that Tressya was my foremost rival in the race for the throne. Yet it didn't have to be that way. She could be a valuable ally. I really hoped she would be. In fact, I'd gambled the safety of the north, and my chance of choosing a mate, on the belief she would be more than just an ally.

I entered the arena, facing Juel, who was slashing his sword through the air in preparation.

"I thank Your Highness for the honor." I bowed, then brought my sword up to the ready. Juel was perfectly placed to help me expel some tension.

Bloodwyn was an ass at blade-dueling, and Juel knew it, having set him on his backside on more than one occasion. Which meant I had a full inventory of Juel's favored maneuvers. The prince was a skilled swordsman, but his talent was born from arrogance, his attention drawn to how he appeared to those watching and not on the fight itself. Diverted attention meant death.

Once we'd started, I wasted no time using offensive strategies and deception to maneuver myself into a favorable position, ensuring the sun was at my back and in his eyes. Juel expected a bumbling idiot with two left hands, which played to my advantage.

Keeping just out of reach of his sword, but not far enough that it gave him time to read my moves, I taunted him with a few half-hearted slashes and thrusts.

Timing, distance, and footwork were key beside mental discipline. Juel's rhythm was predictable. He used repetitive moves coupled with flamboyant flourishes, but he was fast, agile, and determined to win.

We parried back and forth as he tried to force me around him, giving himself the better position. I relented, allowing him to think he'd fooled me.

I shifted my balance, raising my foot, deliberately signaling a move, which he fell for and took the advantage, lunging forward. But I was ready, dodging while half turning to sweep my blade along the length of his. My strength was greater, and I could've disarmed him at that point. But I allowed him to keep his sword.

I danced with him for longer, gaining fresh insight into his skills until I saw his growing frustration. Time to harry him some more. Juel fought for his reputation, which made him an angry and desperate opponent.

"You've been practicing," he quipped.

"Just a little."

This was too fun to end, but I caught sight of Tressya as she moved closer to the side of the arena. Her eyes would be on me while she tried to learn as much as she could of my sword skills, and I had to resist turning my attacks into flourishes.

Beads of sweat ran into Juel's eyes. With a savage swipe, he cleared them away, then lunged while I blocked. He grunted, lunged again, opening himself for my counter, but I stopped shy of poking him in the stomach.

Tressya fisted her hands, her body tense. Stop paying her attention.

I blocked his thrust, dodged his lunge, then closed the distance with my sword raised. He fell for it, raising his own to block, and I kicked him hard in the midsection, knocking him backward four steps. A gasp rippled from the royal box.

Tressya had folded her arms, a hand pressed against her lips. What was playing through her mind?

My distraction gave Juel time to recover his distance. He came at me with a series of aggressive attacks, which forced me off balance.

Dammit . Now who's the fool?

I maneuvered so she was at my back, robbing me of temptation.

"I'll end you, Bloodwyn," Juel panted, his face flushed.

I smirked. "Try."

His eyes flared. This time he bellowed as he attacked. I went with him, flowing around each stab, thrust, and lunge. Losing one's mind to anger led to failure in this game.

So far I'd been kind. With my next reversal, I jabbed him hard in the stomach, technically a win. Another united gasp from the onlookers shook the restraint from his fury, and he redoubled his attacks, ignoring the rules.

I cut from up high, which he blocked, but I swiftly followed by feinting a harder cut high, which Juel fell for. Meeting his eyes, keeping my true target in my periphery, I sidestepped his potential counterattack and dropped my attack into his foremost leg, swiping it from under him.

Juel went down hard on his back, and I followed through, digging the hilt of my blunted sword into his throat. It took one breath for him to move, stunned as he was. Then, with bared teeth, he attempted to rise, but I refused to relent the pressure.

Our eyes locked. An instant of surprise, then horror passed over his face as I stared dispassionately upon him. It would take a sudden force of pressure to puncture his windpipe and sever his spine.

I looked over my shoulder to see Tressya running toward us.

Out of time. I flicked my sword away and held out my hand. In my periphery, I caught Lady Astaria making her way from the royal box, perhaps hoping to beat Tressya to his side.

"Your Highness," I said.

Juel glared at my hand, then took it, smacking his hand into my palm as if he dreamed of punching my face.

"I want to thank Your Highness for giving me the win," I announced loud enough for the courtiers in the royal box to hear once I'd pulled him to his feet.

Tressya had slowed to a walk, but Lady Astaria pushed past her and flung herself upon Juel. "Are you hurt, Sire?"

His ego, perhaps.

"Not at all," he said in the most pompous voice he could muster after such an embarrassing defeat.

"His Highness took the fall for me. In fact, His Highness held back his most lethal attacks to give me the advantage, and to save me from yet another humiliating loss. I'm most humbly grateful." I bowed deeply.

When I rose, it was Tressya's eyes I sought, but she turned away, unable to hold my gaze, and I swear I caught a twitch on her lips.

"Yes. Well." Juel was lost for words.

I ducked and retrieved his sword, but Tressya suddenly appeared at my side, snatching the sword from my hand.

"My lord has proved himself adequate with a sword, I'm sure you're ready to retire." She handed the sword to Juel, who looked at her askew. Forthright and outspoken was not how a princess of the Tarragona court ought to act.

Juel took his sword without thanking Tressya. "Come, my lady, I've earned some refreshments. Bloodwyn, you're welcome to join us."

"Bloodwyn looks in ill health after his blade-dueling, Your Highness. I fear he's?—"

"More than happy to accept His Highness's invitation."

"Excellent." Juel ignored Tressya as he guided Lady Astaria away with a slight limp, but Tressya was too busy staring at me to notice the limp. And I doubted she would've cared.

I bowed in front of her. "My lady, was the spectacle worth your time?"

She glanced to the royal box, perhaps checking who was watching. "I've seen better." And she turned and walked away.

Hurrying to catch up, I said, "You really thought I would be stupid enough to kill him in front of the royal court?"

She didn't stop. "I believe you're stupid, yes."

"But you're impressed."

She spun on me. "Leave now, and I'll ensure your excuses are plausible."

"I can't wait to sample what His Worship dishes up."

"I'll gut you if you try anything."

"Is this intense antagonism toward me because of our almost mating?"

Her eyes narrowed like the end of an arrow. "Courage. Never waver from what must be done. I know exactly what must be done. Your end, beast-man. It's only a matter of time."

"It seems I bring out the best in you."

"You make me want to stab something, preferably you."

"Love and hatred. Both are passionate emotions."

She stalked away. I followed, counting in my head how long it would take her to spin around and verbally assault me again. I knew I was in her head, as much as she was in my veins.

Since Tressya had yet to reciprocate in the bond by taking my blood—if she ever did—we'd never reach the level of intimacy mated partners could achieve; a knowing of each other that needed no words. I was the one to benefit from this one-sided union, and I had to admit my shame. Especially since a Huungardred would never impose a mate bond on another; it is considered sacred.

It was either kill her or claim her, and I'm sure in time she would appreciate my choice. Tressya was inside of me in more ways than she could ever imagine now I'd tasted her blood. She could never escape from me.

"You held back from using full force with most of your strikes."

I knew she couldn't make the distance to the prince's private pavilion without saying a word, but what she said surprised me.

"I doubt he noticed."

"Why did you do it?"

"I'm overcome by generosity at times."

She cast me a sideways glance. "He was a poor opponent. He was too arrogant. He underestimated you and misread every move you made. Worse, he failed to compensate for his earlier mistakes by taking you more seriously, and he was driven by pride. That makes for terrible concentration."

"So you are impressed with me."

She groaned. "You were sloppy at times."

"Deliberately so. I couldn't set him on his ass at the start."

She harumphed.

"Did you see any maneuvers you'd like me to teach you?"

She sighed as she halted. "I'd rather stick a knife in my eye. Better still, I'll stick it in yours."

"Tressya, Tressya, Tressya, you do deserve to be queen." I bowed on seeing her surprise and shuffled backward, spun and walked away, leaving her gaping.