Page 55 of Crowned In Venom

And inside, a man.

The fighter who won.

His hands are bound in chains, his body trembling from exhaustion, from blood loss.

He should be celebrating his victory.

Instead, he is on his knees, waiting for whatever comes next.

A new wave of anger burns through me.

But I cannot show it.

Not yet.

Varkos steps forward, staring down at the broken man.

"You fought well tonight," he says smoothly.

The dark elf does not respond.

He is too tired. Too broken.

Varkos crouches in front of him, gripping his chin, forcing the fighter’s gaze upward.

"You are bleeding on my floors."

The fighter swallows hard. "Forgive me, my lord."

I hate the way his voice shakes.

Varkos tilts his head. "Tell me, do you believe in mercy?"

A pause.

Then, finally—a whisper.

"No."

Varkos smiles, satisfied.

He releases him and stands.

"Good," he says. "Because you will find none here."

Varkos turns back to me.

He steps close, his body a wall of heat, of power.

"You told me to look at my fighters," he murmurs. "To look where I least want to."

I hold my breath.

"Do you think this one tried to kill me?"

I glance at the fighter—shaking, barely conscious, waiting for judgment.

Varkos watches me as if he already knows my answer.

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