Page 79 of The Cursed Kingdom

“Not small enough for you,” Mason says, chiming in. “You’re too weak, and they’ll gouge out your eyes and tie you up before you manage to do any harm.”

I grind my teeth, annoyed with his interruption. I’m also annoyed that I can’t tell if he’s being serious or not. I’d like to think he’s just saying this to frighten me, but it’s also no secret that I’m weaker than most of the other races that inhabit this realm.

I’m no match for the faeries. I’m especially no match for the shifters. It’s not a massive surprise that I won’t be one for the trolls, either.

“They’ll try to keep you alive for as long as possible, though,” Mason continues. “They believe meat tastes best when infused with a healthy dose of adrenaline.” He lets out a quiet hum before smirking at me over his shoulder. “You’re most afraid of being raped, and it won’t take them long to discover that.”

I stiffen, not liking what he’s insinuating.

“Mason!” Kie hisses.

Mason continues, ignoring him. “I’ve heard rumors that they’ve got exceptionally fat cocks, and I imagine after four or five have run through you, they’ll—”

Kie interrupts. “That’s enough.”

Mason comes to a hard stop and spins around, facing Kie and me. I shut my eyes. I just want one hour of peace. Is that too much to ask for?

“Why?” Mason asks. “Shouldn’t she know what’ll happen if the trolls get their hands on her? Wouldn’tyouwant to know?”

My skin is itchy, and I want to peel it off.

Kie shakes his head. “You’re being cruel.”

He steps toward Mason, and I move out of the way as he goes toe to toe with the shifter. The last thing I want is to get caught in the middle of their dick-measuring contest. I already know that won’t bode well for me.

“Life’s cruel,Your Highness,” Mason taunts. “And as much as you want to pretend otherwise, we both know the trolls will want to test the human’s cunt. I bet she’s—”

Mason doesn’t get to finish whatever he’s about to say.

Kie’s on him in a heartbeat, and I trip over my feet in a hurry to get away. His fist connects with Mason’s jaw with a sickening crack, sending the shifter’s head reeling to the side. Mason’s eyes flash, and when he licks his lips, I notice blood inside his mouth.

I flinch.

Mason takes the hit with steely resolve, hardly reacting before launching for Kie. His movements are quick, too quick to follow, but it doesn’t appear he’s holding back. His swings are hard, and he aims for the face.

Kie’s able to dodge most of them, and he even responds with a few of his own. Ones Mason struggles to avoid.

“You were raised better than this.” Kie grunts, pinning Mason to the ground. He buries his knee into Mason’s ribcage, directly over yesterday’s stitches.

I expect the move to be the end of the fight. There’s no way Mason can fight through that, but Kie only has the upper hand for approximately three seconds before Mason kicks out Kie’s leg and flips them.

He shouldn’t be able to do that in his injured state. Hisgutswere just spilling out yesterday, for fuck’s sake.

“You don’t know how I was raised,” Mason spits. “I was given to you as a fucking gift, and you have no idea what my life was like before the treaty. You have no fucking idea.”

I cover my mouth, my eyes wide as Mason slams his fist into the side of Kie’s eye socket. This feels like a conversation they should’ve had years ago, not in the middle of the forest while surrounded by shifters who want to kill us.

“The human is manipulating you,” Mason continues, pulling back his fist. “And you’re too fucking dumb to see it.”

Kie attempts to dodge, but he doesn’t move in time. Mason’s fist connects with his temple with a sickening crack. They’re going to kill one another.

I’m convinced the hit is enough to earn Mason a win, but Kie manages to smoothly avoid the next one Mason throws in his direction. Mason’s clearly the stronger of the two, but Kie’s faster. He’s able to dodge most of Mason’s hits, occasionally even getting in one of his own.

I’m not going to stick around to see who wins. It doesn’t matter. My outcome will be the same either way, maybe slightly worse if Mason comes out on top.

The pair isn’t paying me any attention, and they speak to one another in hushed, angry whispers.

I’ll take it.

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