Page 8 of Champion of Cards

“To compete in the Champion of Cards tournament,” Kingsnake said. “It’s a yearly tournament in the Kingdoms—”

“I know of what you speak.” Her eyes remained on me.

“Vampires, werewolves, and snakes aren’t allowed,” Kingsnake continued. “I asked my father, King Serpentine, to make an exception, but he refused. Our only option is to make him human to compete.”

“It’s that important to you?” she asked.

Yesss.

“He says yes,” Kingsnake said. “It’s his dream.”

“Well.” She looked at Kingsnake again. “I think something can be arranged. Of course, I want something in return.”

“I assumed,” Kingsnake said. “Name your price.”

Her lips softened into a smile. “You.”

The air suddenly turned tense, so intense it felt like daggers against my scales. Kingsnake immediately glanced at Larisa to see her reaction.

Larisa snapped. “What the fuck did you just say?” She stepped forward, the hilt of her blade tight in her hand.

Kingsnake grabbed her by the arm and kept her back. “I’m married,” he said. “And this is my wife, Larisa.”

Larisa stared at her and slowly dragged her fingers across her throat, the threat clear.

I liked it.

The witch seemed unfazed by Larisa’s anger. “Kings have mistresses.”

“Not this one,” Larisa snapped, trying to take another step forward. “And bitch, you have some gall—”

“Baby.” He grabbed her arm again and gave her a hard look. “It’s okay.”

“It’s okay?” she asked incredulously. “If this were reversed, she’d already be dead—”

“Silence.” He turned away from her.

Now Larisa looked angrier than ever.

Kingsnake faced the woman. “I will not break my commitment to my wife under any circumstances. Not out of obligation, but desire. Is there something else I can grant you instead? I can give you enough money to change your circumstances substantially.”

She continued to look at Kingsnake like a slice of dessert. “I want you to feed from me. That is my final offer.”

“I told you I won’t break my commitment to my wife—”

“I’m not asking you to. I’m asking you to feed from me.”

Kingsnake hesitated before he looked at Larisa, who looked enraged.

As much as I wanted this, I couldn’t ask her to go through with it. It’sss okay, Larisssa. It’sss not worth it. Let’sss go home.

Slowly, her anger started to fade. I know how much you want this….

There’sss nothing I want more than your happinesss.

“Excuse us.” Kingsnake escorted us away from the witch.

I moved up Kingsnake’s body to look at Larisa head on.

---