“She was challenged,” Bash said, clearly disappointed. “By Jacob. He’s using his grandson.”
Liam whistled. “William? He’s an animal. Princess, I’ll gladly take yer place.” He placed a fist over his heart and bowed his head in loyalty.
I liked Liam. Though he didn’t often speak, I could tell he was a good guy. In true Scottish fashion, he boasted a full head of strawberry blond hair with bright green eyes to match. Broad and muscular, he was all business.
“Don’t bother,” Bash grumbled. “I’ve already tried.”
With his hands clasped behind his back, Liam urged, “Princess, please. William will nae take it easy on ye.”
That was what I was hoping for, but I couldn’t necessarily tell them that. Bash would lose his shit, and well … I didn’t know about Liam. My skin felt itchy and I just needed to blow off some steam. So what if I got my ass kicked? Maybe it would do me some good. All I knew was I couldn’t back down now, not even if I wanted to. It was too late for that. I gave my word and my word was my bond. The only way I would ever gain the Council’s respect was to fight—and I couldn’t do that with a champion. Maybe they would finally shut up after this.
“Both of you, relax.” I gave each of them a comforting pat on the shoulder. “I got this.”
I heard the groan of the heavy doors and when I turned to look, I saw the full Council stroll into the Guard’s Tower. Jacob stood in the center of their group with someone I didn’t recognize. The newcomer was around my age, maybe a year or two older, with a buzz cut. He was already shirtless, confidently making his way through the tower like he’d been there many times before.
This must be William.
This dude was big. Not gigantically tall, but pure, beefed-up muscle with tree trunk arms that could easily knock me out. Jacob had an arm around William’s shoulder, whispering in his ear, and William nodded in understanding. Behind them, I saw Ranulf hurrying to catch up, but instead of going toward the councilmen, he headed straight to me and Bash.
“Princess,” he greeted as he reached me. “Yer father refuses to attend,” Ranulf added with a nod.
I dipped my head in acknowledgement. It didn’t surprise me. Alexander didn’t like to see me get hurt. During my battle with the Wendigo, he became physically ill. There was no way he would be able to stand still and watch me fight with this William guy, especially if he was as good as everyone said he was. It would drive Alexander insane.
“That’s fine, Ranulf,” I replied calmly, but he bristled beside me.
“It is nae fine, Princess! The King is very upset. Stop this now,” Ranulf urged, stark worry shining in his dark eyes.
Damnit.
The last thing I wanted to do was upset Alexander. I let out a heavy sigh, about to tell them I would withdraw, when Jacob sauntered over with William.
“Here she is!” Jacob crowed as he motioned toward me. “The luna ye’ll be fighting.”
William’s head whipped around to gape at his grandfather in shock. “Ye want me to fight a luna? I cannae do that, Grandda.” William peered over at me nervously again, catching the amused look in my gray eyes, and his amber ones widened further. “She’s the bloody Princess!”
I guessed they didn’t tell him who he would be fighting. Interesting. William might be a beast in the ring, but he had a moral compass. I decided I liked him.
“Aye, I agree,” Ranulf cut in. “The fight is off!”
“Hold on one bloody second!” Jacob held up a fat finger to stop everyone and raised his voice. “A challenge was made, and the Princess must answer. Now, if she’s too afraid …”
I locked my jaw to keep from growling. He was obviously trying his hardest to bait me and it was fucking working. “I’m not afraid,” I gritted between my teeth.
Jacob grinned maliciously. “Good. Then the challenge must be answered.”
William looked horrified by his grandfather. “She needs a champion,” he quickly suggested, trying to save me from fighting him.
For fuck’s sake.
I rolled my eyes and stepped forward. “I don’t need a champion,” I announced, making sure my voice rang out across the arena. “That means it’s me and you, buddy.” I pointed between us. “And don’t go easy on me because I’m a luna.” I winked at him in the hopes it would ease the tension, but he only gaped at me like he was afraid he was about to be accused of being a woman beater.
Walking past him and everyone else, I tore off my shirt and whipped it over my head, tossing it to Bash. I stood there in my sports bra and started to limber up. I heard a chorus of gasps all around and heard their hushed murmurs.
What happened to her back?
She’s completely scarred!
I ignored them and stretched my arms on my way to the center of the ring. All around us, the guards stopped what they were doing and watched me intently. I reached into my pocket for a hair tie and pulled my hair into a low ponytail.
The men of the Council surrounded one end of the ring, giddy with excitement to witness what they were convinced would be my upcoming downfall, while Ranulf and Bash walked over to the other side with Liam to watch my back.
Jacob kept whispering in William’s ear and patting him on the chest, pumping him up for the fight ahead. I could tell from William’s stony expression that he wasn’t happy with what he was being instructed to do. As discreetly as possible, I opened my hearing and attempted to hear what was being said, but could only catch the tail end.
“… teach her a lesson, lad.” That was the last thing Jacob told his grandson before sending
