HIS QUEEN
Chapter 24

I jerked upright at the sound of my name. My head hurt badly and my heart was pounding in my chest. I looked around expecting to see the angry mob. My eyes met green orbs filled with... Worry? "You were screaming in your sleep" I scratched the back of my head.

"I had a nightmare" he lay me down and got into bed behind me, wrapping his arms around me.

"You don't have to stay with me" he ignored me and switched of the light and I tensed.

"No, please leave it on for a while" he switched it on and pulled me into his chest. I couldn't go back to sleep. I was scared I was going to see worse than what I'd seen in the previous dream. "Stop worrying. I'm here" he breathed out. I tried to relax. Steadying my breath and thinking of my family until I fell asleep.

I stretched my limbs as I woke up from sleep. Today was the final day. I didn't know what the outcome of the sword fighting was going to be. I had trained diligently for the last two days.

I had doubts about winning but I was going to put in my best. I was going to fight until I couldn't. I woke up early today to soak in the tub and relax my muscles. As I stepped into my room, a golden light blinded my eye. The sun reflected on a golden armour.

"A gift from the king. Specially made for you" I smiled at Althea. It was absolutely beautiful. She helped me to put on the armour and left as Jairus stepped into the room.

"You look beautiful" he smiled warmly at me. He held a scabbard in his hands.

"He asked me to give you this" i took it from his hands. "It's his sword" but why would he give me his sword?

"It's for goodluck and it shows he favors you" did he really favor me? I had not seen him since the night of the nightmare. And that was two days ago. Last I heard he was with the unknown she wolf from the other day.

"Thank you" he pulled me into a hug. Tears welled in my eyes. This was probably the last time. I had grown really fond of him. He led me down the hall, across the field until I stood opposite Gardenia. Her armour as bright as mine. I scoffed in my mind. Specially made my foot.

We faced each other and took our stance. The fight was about to begin.

A gunshot rang out signaling the beginning of our fight. We circled each other while waiting for the other to strike.

She advanced with a battle scream for an overhead strike. I blocked the strike with my sword and staggered a bit until a hard kick to my midsection sent me sprawling on the floor. A loud cheer erupted from the audience.

I groaned in pain and stood on my feet. A bit unbalanced but I tried not to show my pain. We circled each other and she attacked. I dodged blows and blocked strikes but I was unable to deliver a strike of my own.

I panted for breath as she smirked. I charged at her for an overhead strike, she blocked it with ease and pushed me away.

I attacked again, going for her leg. She parried and delivered a hard kick to my leg. I fell face first into the ground. A kick to my side sent me back on the ground as I tried to stand. A groan escaped my lips.

She brought her sword down and I blocked the strike. Rolling and kicked her feet, she fell on her back. I groaned and stood up delivering a kick of my own to her side.

She groaned and tried to stand. I went in for another kick but she caught my foot and pulled me hard. I tumbled on the ground.

Something hard hit the back of my head and I fell back. My eyes blurry and blood coming down the side of my head. I stood up unsure of my surroundings. Everything looked unclear. I heard a sickening crack as a I received a punch. My nose ached and blood trailed into my mouth. The crowd cheered her on, chanting her name in praise.

I was pushed on the floor, she straddled my waist and blows rained down on my face. I lifted my hips and rolled us over. I threw blind punches but smiled when I heard a crack. I fisted her hair and slammed her head into the ground repeatedly. I dragged her by her hair and slammed her jaw on my knee. Once, twice and threw her on the floor.

I sat on her back and pulled her head and slammed it on the ground again. I pulled her arms back and pushed them up toward her shoulders until I heard a crack. She howled loudly. I searched for my sword an placed it against her neck.

I prayed she submitted. I was dead on my feet and I couldn't see clearly. I didn't think I could fight anymore.

"I submit" she said weakly. The crowd cheered loudly. Not as loud as when I was receiving a beating, but loud enough.

I breathed in relief and let the sword fall from my hands. I collapsed on my knees.

"Anybody that challenges her and loses is not fit to live" Thane growled out. I heard her scream and turned just in time to see him rip out her heart. He tossed her lifeless body and her heart away and marched towards me. He lifted me into his arms. "All Hail The Queen" a voice shouted.

"All Hail The Queen" the crowd chorused. I shut my eyes in exhaustion and he blurred us out of the field and into the castle.