Page 73 of The Fury Queen's Harem

“It could be a trap,” Rai said. “Elvey and the demons are the worst kind. What if we refuse the duel and fight them with all we have?”

“Elvey threatened to bomb and level my jungle with everyone inside,” I said, and Blaze snarled in rage.

“They have the means to do just that as they have one of the most powerful battleships,” Rai said gravely.

New Hopehad been destroyed, though it had taken downFalling Star.

“I thought Elvey would have volunteered for the duel,” Blaze said. He was still angry that Elvey had cut a piece of his armor last time. He wanted to duel with Elvey.

Elvey was much older than all of us. I figured he’d spent lots of time either on the battlefield or in the bedroom. A sour feeling rose in me at the idea that he’d had been with many different females. That was why he was such an excellent kisser, even though that kiss hadn’t been real. I shook off the images of him entangled with a woman in bed.

I had seen how he fought. It was better none of us dueled with him.

“Elvey nominated himself as a judge,” I said.

Blaze sneered. “No one will accept his position.”

“We’ve never foughtFomorian in person,” Rai said, “but we battled his minions. We don’t know how good the demon captain is.” He was always the most considerate one and liked to think things through from all angles.

“It doesn’t matter,” Iokul said. “I’ll duel him.”

“Not a chance,” Blaze said. “I’ll face him in the arena.”

“Then the three of us should fight it out and the winner will fight Fomorian,” said Rai.

Iokul sighed. “We’ve done this before. We all know when it comes to sword fighting I’m the best in the realm. This isn’t about vanity or bravery. Daisy’s life is on the line. I’ll duel Fomorian.”

Blaze and Rai silenced for a few seconds and nodded.

“Maybe I should duel him myself,” I said.

“Absolutely not,” all three princes yelled at the same time.

“Elvey didn’t say exactly what the rule is,” I said. “Three of my Furies can take one demon captain.”

“It’s the Old Country rule when it comes to dueling,” Rai said. “He doesn’t need to specify. And you’ll be nowhere near that arena when the duel occurs.”

There was no chance of that happening, but I didn’t intend to argue with them now.

“We’ll split our team,” Rai said. “Half will stay here to guard Daisy, and the other half will go to the arena.”

“Did Elvey set the time?” Iokul asked.

“High noon tomorrow,” I said.

“I’ll be ready,” said Iokul.

My throat tightened, and my lungs constricted. I turned my face away from the dragon princes, so they wouldn’t see the wretched fear in my eyes.

What if I lost him? What if I lost all of them?

“Daisy,” Iokul said. “I won’t lose. I’ve never lost in a swordfight. It’s the best solution for us. Winner takes it all, and we’ll take the ship and leave.”

Even so, I couldn’t leave. The curse bound me here. But at least they could leave. And I wanted them to leave me and the doomed planet behind.

However, I wanted to give them one last gift before they departed if we won.

“About my curse,” I started.

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