Page 3 of Champion of Cards

“Whatever,” she said. “He deserves a chance.”

Kingsnake gave a loud sigh.

I slithered out of my tree and joined them in the other room, snaking up the bed so I could perch myself up and be level with their gaze.

He looked at me. “What do you expect me to do about it?”

“Force them to let him play,” Larisa said. “You’re the King of Vampires and Lord of Darkness. They’ll do what you say.”

“The Kingdoms are now under the rule of my father, an egomaniac.”

“Then ask him to make an exception.”

Kingsnake studied her for a moment before he turned to me. “What’s the winning prize?”

A trophy…and the Golden Card.

“What’s the Golden Card?”

A necklaccce.

“You want to play for a necklace?” he asked incredulously. “You don’t even have a neck.”

“Hiiiiisssssss.” I want the honor. I want everyone to look at me and know I’m the bessst.

“Kingsnake,” Larisa said as she gave him a scowl.

He turned back to look at Larisa, a look of resignation on his face. “Fine. I’ll speak with him.”

Larisa smiled and moved into his chest to hug him tightly. “I’m excited. I can’t wait to see Fang’s dream come true.”

I needed to practice. I slithered to the coffee table in the other room. Come on, let’sss play.

Kingsnake pulled away to look down at her. “Now look what you did…”

TWO

FANG

Kingsnake took the lead with his horse while Larisa and I shared another steed. If I weren’t so heavy, we’d be able to ride together, but that was too much weight for a single horse. I was stowed in my bucket lined with sheep’s fur, staying warm as we traveled through the snow toward the east.

Once the temperature started to warm, I poked my head out of the top. Where are we?

Close to Raventower.

I slithered out of the bucket and up the saddle to move around Larisa’s shoulders. It’sss warm.

I’m surprised you don’t choose to live somewhere warmer during the colder months.

And be apart from you and Kingsssnake? Never.

She remained close behind Kingsnake, who glanced over his shoulder every now and then to check on his wife.

I’m a vampire, and he still treats me as feeble…

He loooovessss you very much. You ssshould have ssseen how he treated the othersss.

He was that unkind?

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