Page 11 of Reign of Betrayal

“You need to be precise with your footwork. Dancing and fighting are both a similar art. Master one, and you can master the other.” His slick blonde hair clings to his sweat-sheened forehead as he moves with fluid grace.

I chuckle. Elm insists on teaching me dance moves before he teaches me hand-to-hand combat. He and his husband used to dance at the theater and teach private dance lessons to the royals. He moves gracefully—like water flowing through narrow channels. It’s mesmerizing really.

It’s been just over a week, and while I’ve made progress, it’s slower than I’d like. Thank the gods for Larah and Elm. Without them, I’d be lost. They’ve shown me how things work here: wake, eat, shower, train, chores, more training, eat, sleep. Every day is the same routine.

Apparently, Elm is one of the best and most celebrated fighters here. Larah is slowly but surely working her way up there. The guards encourage us to train, knowing the monthly fights draw bets from wealthy spectators—including the heir to the throne, Princess Vanna. I guess that is why those of us who lived in the Drifts never heard about it—we were too poor and too busy surviving to care about such things.

The first thing Elm taught me, on my second night here, was how to make a stone palm blade. It was surprisingly simple, and besides the few cuts to my fingers, it went well.

We pick up broken bits of stone, where and when we can. The smaller stones are used to break down bigger ones for a blade, and we use flat ones to sharpen it. The tiny blades are surprisingly sharp. We wedge them between our beds and the wall when sleeping, making them completely camouflaged unless you inspect the area closely.

Larah made a slit in my waistband so I can conceal the tiny blade across my waist, while the butt of the blade is easily accessible. This makes accessing the blade in an emergency effortless. The entirety of the blade fits in our palms. They are small, easy to conceal, and deadly—the perfect weapon in an underground prison. I hope I never have to use it, but I am glad for the security and comfort the small blade gives me.

Elm told me to always keep it with me, in case other inmates try to attack me and I go down. He said the most vulnerable times would be in the washrooms. I just wish I remembered to use the small blade when I was attacked earlier. He said I need to keep my eyes open and know my surroundings at all times. He warned me to only use them as a last resort.

Elm said he used the blade on two inmates that attacked him. They were going to execute him, but when it was his turn in the ring, he brought in the biggest crowds, meaning the most coppers. So, Big Al only wanted him punished. His punishment consisted of the hole, then the tub.

Elm’s description of what he endured in the tub makes me physically sick. He said the guards bind him, cover his head with a soaked cloth, and submerge him in freezing water. He fought to stay afloat, lungs burning as the guards dunked him repeatedly, only letting him breathe when he was on the verge of drowning.

I shudder at the thought. I pray I never experience that level of torment.

“Elm, I heard some inmates talking about how you were going to be fighting Jack in two full moons. Maybe that’s why he keeps looking over here,” Larah says while looking over the massive stone training room.

Elm and I look to where Larah is staring. Sure enough, there is a muscular, bald man sparring with someone, but he is staring our way.

“He is predictable. I am not worried.”

“Wait. You are fighting this month and next? I thought they rotate who fights when?” I ask, concerned I may have to go into the ring more than I originally thought.

“Don’t look at me with those big lavender eyes, 7296,” Elm chuckles. “You can wipe that worried look off your face. They only put the best of us in the ring monthly. We bring in the wealthy to bet on the fights. You won’t be monthly for a while.”

“If ever.” I roll my eyes.

“You will get there. If you listen to Elm, you will get there,” Larah says with a half-grin on her face.

At the moment, I decide that I will use every ounce of my energy to train and be the best. Since I am stuck here for the rest of my life, I might as well.

“Inmates! Cells, now,” the one guard in the room yells to us all.

“Well, good night, ladies. I will see you across the cells.” Elm smiles a wide, handsome smile. I don’t know how he is so okay with everything that goes on here. I have only been here a little more than a week, but I don’t see how I can live the rest of my life here. This existence is terrifying and definitely not for the weak—physically or mentally.

Back in our cell, I watch as Elm, who is in the cell across the hollow center, gathers the straw from his bed into a ball and wraps it in his blanket.

“What is he doing?” I turn around to ask Larah and notice she is doing the same thing.

“We are going to practice throwing the palm blades.” Larah props it up on the bed and then walks to the cell door and looks both ways. She then turns to me. “Step out of the way. Come behind me.”

I am thoroughly confused, but I do as she instructs and walk behind her. Then she turns to Elm and gives him a nod. After a few seconds, a stone palm blade soars across the hollow center and into our cell, striking the bundle of straw. I am stunned—shocked.

“How in the double burning hells did he do that?” I know my face is a picture of pure shock and amusement.

Larah’s grin widens, making her eyes squint. “When you have been here as long as him,” Larah nods in Elm’s direction, “you will be able to do it too. But for now, throw your palm blade at the sack in here.”

I pull out my blade. The stone is cold against my palm. Larah shows me how to properly hold and throw it. I do exactly as she instructs and strike the straw sack on its side. I did not hit dead center, but I am just happy I hit it on my first try. I grin from ear to ear triumphantly.

“Well done,” Larah says with a smile. Even Elm nods in approval from across the way.

Suddenly, Elm makes a funny noise, and Larah frantically empties the sack of straw

---