Page 48 of Vicious Princess
On our left, Kata’s red hair catches my eye. She stands close to the ring, Fern and Bloom flanking her. Tonight she wears a revealing spring-leaf-colored dress with a deep cut that reaches her hip and barely holds together on two thin straps.
Her body is beautiful, just like her face. Luminous skin, silky smooth. Not a single mark. Even my fingers itch to touch it, to savor that sensation.
I bite the inside of my cheek and look away. But then, an idea pops into my head.
This place is full of Ezkai and cadets. Every single pair of eyes is focused on the fight that takes place in the ring.
The way Ezkai pat Daegel on the shoulder and embrace him as they congratulate him on the win is beautiful. Their eyes are full of awe, full of admiration and respect.
This is the perfect place for me to prove my mettle.
I elbow Roman in the side to draw his attention. “How do I get into the ring for a fight?”
“Are you crazy? Princess?—”
“I didn’t ask what you think about it. I asked how I get to fight.”
Roman clicks his tongue. “You enter the ring and call forth the person you want to challenge. If they accept, you fight.”
“And if they don’t?”
Roman shrugs. “Never seen or heard of that happening before. Fae egos are too big for them to back down from a challenge.”
“Go figure.”
Roman frowns. “What are you going to do?”
I don’t answer. I’m already on the move, pushing my way through the bodies towards the pit. Once I’m on the edge, a tallfae who stands with Daegel looks over. He jerks his chin at me, and Daegel turns around.
I lift my chin. “I challenge Kata Nightingale to a brawl.”
Silence.
Kata’s gaze is burning. She purses her lips.
I smirk. “Not up for a fair sparring match, huh? Not surprised.” I tsk-tsk, shaking my head. “Only brave when my hands are tied and your little pets stand guard.”
That rouses the crowd. Snickers, whispers, and mocking laughs go through the people surrounding the pit.
A muscle in Kata’s jaw ticks. And then she steps forwards.
“Shoes off, ladies.” The fae man next to Daegel stands. “Fight lasts until one of you taps out. No weapons, just your fists.”
I nod and unlace my boots. Roman shows up just in time for me to hand them off to him before I jump down into the ring.
The moment my feet connect with the flaming honey, a shiver goes through me. Slowly, my feet sink into the thickness until it reaches my ankles.
Kata tosses her flat sandals to the side and jumps into the ring, too. Panic flashes in her gaze when her feet are devoured by the substance.
Just as I thought.
She has no experience with flaming honey.
For a heartbeat, we stand on opposite sides of the pit, our gazes locked. I smirk and curl my index finger at her.
With a sneer, Kata charges forwards. I can see the strain on her body from the flaming honey. Every muscle in her body works overtime as she stomps towards me.
I stand and wait.
