Page 14 of Hands Off

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.

Chapter 14

JULIETTE

A soft knock rises me from my sleep the next morning and I push up onto my elbows, groggily looking around to survey my surroundings. I don’t know when I fell asleep or when I crawled onto my bed, tangled in my sheets as I waited for news of Ophelia. Neither my father nor Queen Helvania has come to gloat which both worries and excites me. Did she lose and they are merely waiting to reveal that during the gala? Or is she still fighting for her life and there is nothing yet to report?

The soft knock comes again and then the door lock is undone, a familiar voice hitting my ears through the wood. “Juliette? You awake?” I shoot out of bed and smooth down my dress, mentally scolding myself for not being prepared.

Maids will be in and out of my room all day preparing for the gala and seeing me in this state will only perpetuate information that my father will later scold me for. I finger-comb my hair, whining when it does nothing to help my appearance.

“Yes! Yes, wait, hold on, argh.” I stumble over my shoes I discarded last night and swing open my door, greeted by Duchess Evie. I’ve only met her a handful of times but her personality is just as free and wild as Her Majesty, Seraphina. “Hi,” I say lamely.

Duchess Evie grins but it doesn’t quite reach her eyes. “The gala is in a few hours.” It comes as almost a warning but I know as much. The gala is usually an evening affair but with the royal heir being so young, Queen Daniela and Her Majesty, Seraphina wanted to be able to fully enjoy the event. As such, the gala is set to unfold just after lunch.

I frown and look around her, wondering why she has come into my room. Queen Daniela would make more sense than Duchess Evie. “Is something wrong? Where is my father? Is Ophelia-” I wring my hands in front of me, Kusovanian guards on either side of my door. I don’t recognize them and while they are placed here by my father, Duchess Evie's command seems to have given her access to my room.

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