Fight
A/N: Hi guys! This is my first ever fanfic. The story is set after the majority of events in King's Cage. It's mainly about Mare fighting various people in the arena, but later on the story will develop.
Mare
The pain in my head is unbearable. I don't dare to look up and face my captor but I can still feel the heat of Maven's anger from my position on the floor.
"Get up."
His words are cold and detached, there is no sign of the innocent boy I once knew in his monotone voice. I know he wants me to kneel, but I have no strength, the last few days have not been easy for me. Tortured and humiliated in front of thousands of Silvers and Reds, nobles and common. Just the thought of it makes me sick. I vomit on the nearest Sentinel's feet, I'm in so much pain my mind doesn't process the potential consequences of my actions until it's too late. The Sentinel is a strongarm and his kick sends me flying across the room. I feel my back crack as the wall slams into me, temporarily stunning me from the sharp pain in my ribcage. I try my best not to cry or scream, but a week of abuse has cracked my pride and I soon feel a tremor in my throat, my eyes blur and before I can stop it hot tears splatter down my face. I give up. I open my mouth to scream in defeat but I can barely breathe as the hot salty water constricts my throat. Behind my back I hear a girl chuckle darkly, I don't have to turn around to know a powerful Silver from House Osanos is forcing back my tears into my throat. Darkness ebbs at the edges of my vision as my face slowly turns a furious shade of purple, my head pounds increasing the pain in my back and ribcage as I choke helplessly. The black dots spot together and I welcome the prospect of fading into numb oblivion. Just as I'm about to pass out I feel the water give way. My head slowly clears, though the original throbbing pain stays.
"Get. Up."
Maven's voice is filled with dark laughter, as if the sight of me drowning had cheered him up.
"You know what will happen if you don't."
In my head I snarl at him, "Yes Maven I know, you'll torture me until there's nothing left of me but a broken body and a mindless soul." But for the sake of my withering body I do nothing but breathe weakly. I lie still for a moment, gathering strength to somehow lift myself up. Finally, I pull my hands forward and push myself up weakly so I'm on my knees but my hands support my upper body.
"Kneel."
I know that I should lift myself up and remove my wet hands from the stained floor but there is no strength left in me.
"I don't know about you, but the definition of kneel is not what you're doing at the moment." He sneers.
I remain still, breathing slowly, in through the nose out through the mouth. My mind forms a weak plan as I draw strength from my childhood memories a lifetime ago. So, before he can summon one of House Provos' cruel telkies, I straighten my spine and release my hands. My shaky body wobbles for a moment, but I stay put.
"Look at me."
I refuse, knowing he will surely punish me. My plan is dangerous and will almost certainly fail, but I have to try. Cruel, cold fingers force my chin upwards, leaving purple bruises. His eyes light up with blue flame as his anger deepens.
"You will obey your king."
This is the first time I've heard him raise his voice, his calm, emotionless mask momentarily slipping as cold rage threatens to take over. 'Yes Maven!' I goad him in my mind. However, the supposed King of Norta quickly regains his composure. So I'm forced to suck in a shaky breath.
"No."
My voice is barely a whisper, but the whole room echoes with my defiant rasp. But the boy king only smiles hauntingly. His razor thin smirk only widens as a figure steps forward from behind him, Evangeline Samos.
The princess flips her immaculate silver braid over her shoulder, "You shouldn't have done that." but her smirking face suggests otherwise.
Evangeline lifts one white finger lazily, curling it slowly as the bottom layer of her metal dress detaches itself and floats menacingly in the air. The largest one slices through the air, flying towards me at a torturous slow speed, it twists under her command, shaping itself into a thin needle. Her knowing evil grin broadens as memories flood into my head. Shade's death is still a new, open wound, and Samos knows it. Behind her, I hear a few of the Sentinels laughing cruelly. I don't doubt that they all know my darkest secrets and weaknesses, Maven was never very good at keeping secrets. Evangeline notes my wandering eyes and seizes her chance, the metal strip slices my cheek, opening yet another dripping red gash on my blotchy grey skin. The needle spins again, this time the clean side faces me as it darts forward with lightning speed once more, aiming for my ear. But this time I crack my head to the side with unexpected speed.
The metal needle spears through my throat. I feel no pain, only a great sense of satisfaction as I watch King Maven's face distort into one of horror and anger. But inwardly I cry, telling myself that the death will be better than any life Maven would have accommodated for Cal's baby and I. The last thing I see are two electric blue eyes.
Maven
I can't believe she did that. I should have known mare would think of such an idiotic plan. I remember her soft brown eyes widening as the cold metal sliced through her delicate throat. She knew that her life with me would be absolute torture with me, so she killed herself. Or at least, she attempted to.
Currently she lies before me in a stable state as sentinel Skonos runs his long icy fingers over her neck. Inwardly I feel a ping of jealousy. Mare is mine. I should be the only one allowed near her, but for the sake of Mare's fragile life hanging in the balance, I keep my calm.
"She is healed your majesty." Sentinel skonos bows low.
"Very well, you are dismissed."
The sentinel opens his mouth to speak but decides against it and hurries out of the room. I watch mare intently, she is fascinating. The way red blood pulses through her, her fingers twitch even in her sleep, desperate for the feel of lightning. I know she would do anything for it and that is why I take pleasure in keeping her chained in silent stone. Contrary to what she and my wretched brother thinks, I do not love her. The only reason I search for her so keenly is because she's just another trophy to be won from my brother. That and the fact that I absolutely relish the sight of her fighting for an impossible escape. Her spirit is so strong one might thing it's impenetrable, but I know better. When I betrayed her I saw that facade crack, she looked genuinely shocked and upset. She too believes I wear a mask of cold indifference, one that only she can break, but that's all a false hope. Because the maven she knew no longer exists. He's gone and he's never coming back.
—-
I stare at the mountains of paperwork on my wooden desk and sigh inwardly, "The disadvantages of being king."
I continue to glare at the papers, as if my burning gaze could cause them to cower in fear and run away. Of course they do not, they are not look my brother. So, I pick up the heavy jewelled pen and press the nib on paper. Suddenly the door flies open. Looking up, I see Evangeline and her father stroll in casually, their eyes raking my bent form.
"Hello betrothed." Her voice is silky smooth.
"I told you to knock Evangeline."
"I have news." She nods at her father.
He bows his head slightly, "Mare Barrow is in a stable state. She will wake in an hour."
"Very well. Send her back to the arena." I peer under a stack of books and pull out a black envelope.
"This is the schedule. Keep on time."
"Of course, my lord." Volo Samos' voice is little more than a growl.
"You are dismissed."
Evangeline and Volo bow curtly and elegantly exit the room in a swirl of black and silver. I'm glad they left, now I can think and plan peacefully. My tactic is smart. Wear her down, slowly but surely all whilst goading the crowd on, making them hate her as she fights for her life. I intend to put Mare Barrow on show, like she did to my mother. Just the thought of Elara Merandus makes me stiffen. Her smooth honeyed words cut sharply in my head, ringing chants.
You were meant to rule. Kill him. They are not worthy.
Sometimes I wish my mother was one of house Arven. Then she could keep me safe from the prying eyes of the world. However, I am always grateful for mother's advice. No matter how cruel it may seem.
Mare
My eyes flutter open to a familiar stadium.
The Bowl of Bones
I shouldn't be surprised. I know Maven wants me to suffer and fight and lose. A loud horn breaks my thought.
"Ladies and Gentlemen! I welcome you to today's fight." A loud magnified voice echoes through the hushed arena. "First of all we have our defenders! Please welcome House Eagrie!"
I smile to myself weakly, House Eagrie may be able to see the immediate future, but other than that they are useless. Three soldiers step forward, all striped in black and yellow. A siren sounds and the fight begins. I immediately create a lightning dome around me. They circle me uselessly, glancing at each other and nodding as if they have some secret language. I test my abilities and a harsh purple bolt hits the sandy ground with an even thud. The precognitive idiots jump out of the way seconds beforehand. Suddenly they all begin running haphazardly around the arena, I take my chances and release a giant burst of electricity. It pushes through the arena frying two of the men. In my surge I'd lowered my electric shield and an arm wraps around my throat. I attempt to zap the remaining girl but she only chuckles darkly. Out of the corner of my eye I notice a group of Arvens training their glares at me. Another carefully calculated plan. As soon as someone dies I get silenced, Maven thought this well though, I'm useless. So, I do the only thing possible. I fight without my greatest weapon.
I twist out of her grip, or rather she lets me get out. I see her easy smirk, she thinks she has this game in the bag. She's not entirely wrong, it's obvious that she has the advantage, I'm wounded and without my ability, whilst she is at full strength. But if I've learnt one thing from my time with Jon, it's that reading the future can be your greatest weakness. So, I focus on the thought of kicking her in the stomach, she sneers as I run towards her, but at the last second I flip over and smash my fist into her face, relishing the look of last minute realisation on her smug face. She staggers, a wounded look on her face. Suddenly she strikes, her hand pulling at my tangled ponytail, forcing us both to the ground. But I get up before she can and think about smashing her in the face again as I charge towards her recklessly. She throws her arms up protecting her face but instead I knee her in the gut at the last moment. She mustn't be a very powerful Eye because she can barely predict what's happening in the next ten seconds. I have the advantage.
In her fear and confusion, I sense she loses control on what little ability she had in the first place as I land blow after blow on her perfect build. The crowd boos but I don't care, I've been hurt worse before. And just like that blue lights wash onto the arena, I painful reminder of home in the Stilts. A swift speeds toward the injured girl and brings her to the nearby Skonos house whilst a telky holds me down.
"An unexpected outcome. But rest assured the next fight will end much better." The voice sounds surprised and annoyed as it booms across the stadium, "Mare Barrow will pay for her crimes in blood."