Chapter 24PIPERThe last person I expected to see after regaining consciousness was Sage. He barely showed any concern, while Sloane was beating me to a pulp, so seeing his figure resting against my window, his back facing me, made me blink twice. His scent filled my nostrils but I still couldn't believe it. Maybe this is a dream, I am still asleep which explains why he's here.However, Kaela walking in made me think twice. “Princess, you are awake.” She announced, her voice holding a tinge of happiness to it. Sage turned, his face as stoic as always,he didn't say anything,just stood and watched like a frozen statue. Kaela settled by my side, helping me sit up, she brought the cup she was holding to my mouth, urging me to drink.Fortunately for me, this concoction wasn't as bitter as the ones she gave me on our first meeting.“How are you feeling?” She asked, brushing her hands through my hair, her fingers,warm and relaxing.“Better than yesterday,” I replied, clearing my throat.
Chapter 23KAIUS As soon as I announced Sloane as the winner, my instincts pulled at me to check on Faye. I approached her, kneeling beside her body, lying on the ground like a log of wood. “Princess Faye,” I whispered, gently tapping her shoulder. Her eyes were closed shut, and it didn't seem like she was ready to make any effort in getting up. “Princess,” I called again, tapping her shoulder. She didn't make a move as twitch. I panicked, my heart sinking to the depth of my stomach. I placed my hand under her nose and felt nothing. A lump formed in my throat instantly,I refused to accept the thought flooding my mind.“Kaela.” I yelled,my composure slipping, “She's not breathing.” Kaela and Faye's handmaid sprinted towards us. Kaela mirrored me, kneeling at Faye's side. She touched her neck, closing her eyes as she tried to feel a beat; her silence pulled at my patience. I glanced around, as murmurs filled the crowd, everyone had stopped to gawk. Gritting my teeth, I scooped
Chapter 22PIPER I could hear my heart pounding in my ears. “Ready to go down the drain princess.” Sloane's smirk grew into a grin.The horn sounded, and my heart sank.The first round had begun.In a flash, Sloane descended upon me. Her fist came at my face, but I was quick to dodge; my stance was sloppy, and I almost lost balance. She didn't give me time to recollect; her movements were so sharp. Fear consumed me as I realized this was a lot more than I imagined. She struck again, using her leg. She aimed at my chest, but I stumbled backward, avoiding the hit. And to my bad luck, that was just the beginning, her strikes came in quicker, and I blocked, stumbled, dodged, barely, but every form of my defense chipped away at me. And the worst happened, a punch slammed into my ribs, and air whooshed out of me. “Ahh.” I gasped as my knees buckled, the pain shot through my body and I could barely breathe. I could hear the cheers in the crowd, I knew it wasn't for me, but it gave me t
Chapter 21PIPERA FEW DAYS LATER…The D-day was finally here and I happened to be more tense than I imagined. Kaela had been training me for this moment and each time our session ended, I felt confident. But right now, as Elara helped me in fixing my leather armour, a sickening feeling settled in my stomach.I wasn’t ready and I realized that pretty late. I wasn’t ready for a lot of things. Facing Sage after that horrible night, living with the shame that I tossed myself at Sage despite his love for Sloane, and seeing Kaius after ignoring him multiple times. I was too ashamed to even look at him, wondering what he now thought of me.A cheap whore of course, desperate to seal her position as Luna.“All done,” Elara said, pulling me out of my thoughts.“Thank you,” I whispered a reply.Elara smiled at me, brushing her hand on my hair which had been tied in a tight bun and gelled to stick to my cap.“You will do just fine.” She reassured me, but I needed more than that. “Thank you,” I
Chapter 20PIPERKaela's boot hit the ground, her movement slick as she showed me some of her striking poses. I tightened my grip on the practice dagger, sweat prickling down my back. She circled me like a predator, her silver eyes watched me closely, waiting for me to falter.“Focus, Faye,” Kaela’s voice cut through my thoughts, her tone commanding. “Your enemy won’t give you a moment to think. They will aim where you are soft, your throat, ribs, and knees. If you hesitate, you are dead.”My heart skipped a beat, but I nodded, never breaking eye contact. I asked for this, because I needed it. I begged her to teach me so I could take my mind off everything that happened. I knew I couldn't run from the mistake I made, but I could take my mind off it for a while.Also, time was running out, and I still wasn't ready to face Sloane, who I knew wouldn't waste a chance in destroying me on that field.Standing in the training yard, I couldn’t afford to look weak now.Kaela lunged suddenly,
Chapter 19SAGEA rapid knock came on my door, sharp and restless, as if whoever was on the other side couldn't wait for a response. I frowned as the knock remained persistent. It was barely dawn, and I had been woken by the unpleasant sound of the door rattling. “Come in,” I said in a low growl, sitting up in my bed. I didn't realize I would fall asleep when I returned to grab more ink from my nightstand. The princess scent still lingered; it had this strange way of calming every storm I was feeling.The door handle clicked, and the door opened, Kaius walked in, his jaw tight, his eyes moved straight to my desk, before snapping in my direction. “Princess Faye.” He said, hesitating, almost like he was forced to even say her name.I cracked my fingers, suppressing a yawn as I asked, “What about her?” “She's hurt, I heard her scream,” Kaius said, taking a step forward, his shoulders rising like he was preparing to pounce on an enemy. I frowned, getting off my bed. “She's fine, the