Maeve is queen-no, was queen-of the viper shifters.
***
Twenty-three year old Maeve Silverbone is the next royal in line for the serpent throne. She's relentless, a perfect tracker, and one of the top warriors in her division; essential qualities to...
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❛ The horrors of the night melt away, under the warm glow of survival of the day. ❜
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There is some actual cursing in here so just beware. It is minimal though ♡
Ryu swallowed with difficulty. Axar stood there with a menacing look on his face—or maybe it just seemed menacing to her. Especially since it was digging holes into Maeve who—without a doubt—was doing the same.
Her eyes greeted the floor as Ryu bowed deeply, trying not to tremble at the load of the power that had walked in.
Axar Nicolai. She knew to fear him. A king who wears a crown of blood.
"I wonder who allowed you down here," he mused. The coldness that radiated off him made Ryu internally shiver. She gave the gods a million offerings for keeping his attention off of her. "After all, this is the fight arena for—well, I'm sure you've heard."
For a second, Ryu was completely still with horror, glancing at Maeve to gauge her reaction. Because if Maeve ran, she'd be right behind her.
"You mean this is the fight ring for your blood trials, as you call them," Maeve spat with equal chilliness. The predatory smile Axar flashed was nothing short of the reassurance that Maeve had heard right and suddenly, Ryu was starting to feel extremely out of place. As if they'd stepped into the lion's cage.
Blood trials were basically the more powerful person murdering the other for the entertainment of the nobility and royals. It was heavily frowned upon by the other clans but Aimakinos didn't give a shit.
"Well, now that you're here," Axar said, "Do you mind if I join your sparring session?"
She swallowed. No. For the love of gods, no.
Of course, it's not like Maeve wasn't a proud-headed fool with a broken shoulder who hated Axar's mere existence and it's not like Ryu couldn't really do much to get herself out from between the two royals. So simply because of her fear, Ryu found herself with two red batons circling Axar slowly while Maeve carefully observed from the sidelines.
