ROYAL BLOOD
Her eyes flashed in all directions, and she caught Racheal glaring at her with a puzzled look before retracting her gaze and faking a smile to hide her surprise.
With a final bow to Micah, the knight returned to the arena, trotting on his black horse. He stood before his opponent, then slowly wore his helmet back to protect his face.
But before Micah could fully recover her composure, the second knight approached. His armor gleamed no less proudly, and his bearing was steady as stone. He came to stand before the king and queen, his voice firm though touched with reverence.
"Your Grace," he said, bowing deeply, "that I may bear your favor, that I might fight with your blessing?"