Eres…Was my mother alive? Eres was alive? Impossible!
"Penum!"
"I'm afraid we don't have time to discuss this matter. The upcoming fight is nearing."
"But, Penum!" My eyes burned, and as if a knife slid down my throat, I couldn't voice anything.
"I know, My lady," Penum rested his hands on mine to console me, "I will explain everything. I swear. Just brace yourself for the next combat."
I inhaled and squeezed shut my eyes. Was it possible that my mother inhaled air and opened her eyes somewhere? Was she touching the ground and not buried in it?
"My lady."
"Alright." I wiped tears off my face and breathed out. I was alright. I was going to do it.
I nodded at him as Penum smiled at me.
"How long will your magic last up there, my lady?" Penum asked and faced the king.
I had never been called gifted, but I liked my powers and how I wielded them. The only hardship I went through using them was the time limitation. Unfortunately, I wasn't great, nor was I an experienced sorcerer. Taking this into consideration, I couldn't benefit from the magic as the strong sorcerers. Soon, my clone would vanish in thin air.
That's why I was fidgeting in my place and fondling my fingers awkwardly. I had a favour to ask Lee.
"What is it?" Lee inquired with amusement.
"My lady, ask anything you want, and we will gladly obey your wish," Penum said, and Lee rolled his eyes. No, Penum, it was me in debt to you.
"Yeah, yeah. Whatever."
Penum shot daggers at his son with his eyes, at which Lee only chuckled.
"Penum, get my fighting gear ready and gather preceding information on my opponent."
I was starting a real fight here. I would unite with my mother at any cost.
"Yes, my lady." Penum withdrew as he had his head lowered.
"Lee," I faced my ally and was cut off as the careless smirk danced across his face.
"Yes, my lady."
Surrounded by handsome figures should have been more pleasurable! But instead, my palms were sweating! Okay, I had to do it, or else Axel would unfold my mended webs. I needed Lee to disguise as the princess Rebel beside Axel, so he would take over from when my powers would fade away.
"Lee, I want you to switch places with me. I need you on top."
As the last word slipped past my lips, Lee was turned to me with his whole body on a full alert. His quirked eyebrows and a gaped mouth made me question my statement.
'Lee, I want you to switch places with me.' That made sense since I would fight on the bottom, and he would replace me on top of the arena- WAIT! 'I need you on top.' What did I just say? I swear I didn't mean it like that- Ugh, fuck!
Before I clarified my intentions to him, Lee had his head thrown back and was laughing his ass off.
"You dirty-minded!" I snorted and crossed my arms on my chest. What was with the people around me? Did everyone interpret my words in the wrong way? Or was I just a dumb girl running her mouth thoughtless?
"Okay, princess. I prefer dominating my females anyways." He sauntered towards me with a lion's strides and a seductive smirk.
My mouth fell at his claim as my cheeks heat up. I couldn't believe my ears, and why was he nearing me?
"Stop right there, and… hey, you into guys?"
"Nope. Why?"
Lee ceased his advances, but his smug smile only widened.
"I'm in a male's form, and you're flirting with me shamelessly. By the way, turn around."
Lee narrowed his eyes but did as was told while spreading his arms to show me his loyalty. His broad back was facing me as I had no view of his expression.
"Look at me."
Lee sighed in lethargy and pursed his lips while meeting my demanding gaze.
"What was this all about?"
"We are ready!" Penum emerged from the crowd with a shaky voice and jittery look. He had a sword for me.
"Why did you turn around?" I approached Lee as I mulled about my upcoming clash.
"You told me to." Lee snarked as his eyebrows knotted in confusion and irritation.
"Controlling others' sexual needs isn't dominance, Lee. " I brushed my hand on his shoulder as I mirrored his smirk, "But this is." And I followed his father into the arena.
Before I left him, the only thing I heard was the low chuckle as I imagined him shaking his head.
"My lady," Penum whispered, "I couldn't make anything slip from the king's adviser." He jerked his chin towards Ash as we took the front rows on the arena. "But The serpents were all jumpy and agitated."
"Ash?"
Was Ash Axel's advisor? I remembered Danu's words about his importance. I had to be wary with him and get on Ash's good side.
"Yes, my lady. You know him, I suppose."
I was about to respond, but Ash cropped up before us with lively eyes.
"Penum?"
The familiar, melodic voice made the corners of my lips turn upwards. Ash's lazy and carefree expression adorning his flawless face.
"My lord," Penum slightly bowed at the blonde.
Ash shot us charming smize of his honey eyes.
"Is your chosen one ready?"
"Yes, my lord." The shadow lord admitted and handed me the sword.
"And where is he from?" Ash motioned to me with his head, and guess what I did?
I grinned at him with the dumbest face ever. Ash narrowed his eyes as he examined me, and my mouth hurt from the effort of 'freeze while you think of what to say.'
"From the Lost Clan."
Lee walked beside me as he laid his hand on my shoulder. Ash lifted his eyebrows at us as Panum gulped. Really, the Lost Clan? Oh, I had to silence my thoughts with Ash.
"The Lost Clan?"
"Yes, my lord. They reign over the lands far from here."
"Ash!"
I shuddered as Axel's guttural voice resonated, and the arena went silent.
"Yes, your majesty." He bowed at his king before he turned to us, "Okay, whatever clan you belong in, come out."
Penum pushed me forward as Ash led me to the clear arena. I looked up at Axel, who was studying me, and I glanced beside him to ensure my clone was still there interacting with Danu. Then I shot a gaze at Lee, who also looked at my throne before he peered at me and nodded, reading my thoughts.
I didn't look back as I was sure he had taken off to my place.
"We have a representative of the Lost Clan!" Ash announced, and instead of loud exclaims, the murmurs engulfed me.
"And his opponent is from the Serpent's Clan!"
What?
I snapped my head towards the other end of the vast area. The audience roared as the adrenaline surged through their veins. Many of them stood up, and believe me, I would as well if I was seated.
The enormous snake advanced towards the center as I bit my tongue. Unbelievable! Was it even a shifter? Did it have a human form too? How was I going to suppress it?
The purple snake with orange eyes slithered its way to Ash as I plodded forward as well. I was so dead. It was at least 30 feet tall and glaring down at me with cruel intentions glistening in his eyes.
Axel narrowed his eyes at me as if pondering about something, and every muscle in my body tensed up.
"Start!" Ash shouted, and air harshly smacked my cheek I froze in my place not noticing the danger before me.
I was gawking at the higher tier. What was that blonde priestess doing abreast of my duplicate? Did she suspect something?
"Run!"