Red Queen One Shots

The Bet

So those of you on wattpad know that I made a fanfic called "Burning Crown" that hasn't been updated in a while and it'll probably stay that way. I had specific scenes that I wanted to write for it but I'm not sure how to connect them all so I've decided to put them in one shots like this that *might* connect? I have no idea where this is going but feedback is appreciated!! My OC Azuela also makes an appearance :) (And I'm not great at this political stuff so just bear with me)  

"You wanna make that a bet, Barrow?" she smirked as if already imagining her victory. Indeed, her storm cloud eyes were slightly far away as they usually were when the girl was seeing something in her mind's eye. Mare arched an eyebrow at this, feeling a familiar burst of determination rise at Evangeline's words. She intended to teach the newly minted princess a lesson, and so she would.

"Twenty laps around the field for the loser, and I'm in," Mare announced leaning back into her seat. They were watching a few newbloods train outside and placing bets on who they thought would win the sparring sessions. It all started when Ella had stepped up to the ring with Arezzo and Evangeline had scoffed at the both of them. Mare had felt her temper rise with a dizzying speed until she couldn't control the next words that flew out of her mouth. Evangeline took it all with a cool smile and offered the bet. Mare didn't regret it much, as she would win either way. Anxiety had bundled itself into her stomach and she craved release. The only downside to losing was having to bear Evangeline's gloating smirk. And so she was determined to win.

Now it was Rafe and Adam. Adam was a newblood nymph who had been with Montfort for nearly two years now with his younger sister, Tove. She was a newblood as well, though her ability was that of a shiver. Mare had to admit that he was attractive but these days there was only one man on her mind.

Evangeline surveyed the match, or rather Adam with something akin to interest. "If I were heterosexual, I wouldn't mind getting with that," she commented, jerking her chin at him. Mare let out a low laugh. "Careful now, Elane may be listening in the shadows."

Evangeline shrugged gracefully, ever the perfect princess. "Doesn't matter. She knows how much she means to me," she said with a small smile as she always did when Elane was the subject. Mare felt a pang of jealousy. Despite the renewed engagement, Elane and Evangeline had still held on to their relationship while her's with Cal had crumbled. Mare hadn't seen him in what felt like weeks when Farley had so kindly reminded her that it had been less than three days. Since then they'd returned to Piedmont, Evangeline, Elane and Ptolemus with them. Davidson, Volo, Anabel and Cal had remained in Norta for a while longer and they were to return today. The High Prince of Piedmont was to meet with them at a neutral location in the country as he had demanded to see the well-being of his children in person.

It was risky, they all knew that, but Mare knew Davidson intended on taking Piedmont as well. She just wasn't sure how. Piedmont was a strong ally of Norta's. Of Maven's. But with Alexandret's death on Norton soil, their relationship had been strained.

Davidson had requested that Mare accompany them, and so she accepted. Her curiosity and concern for these children prompted her to, as well as the desire to see Cal again, though she wouldn't admit it to herself. Farley was coming along too, and Mare was grateful for that. Farley had been a rock for her these past few days. Her understanding and kind attitude towards her made Mare all the more reluctant to reveal the bargain that she had struck with Evangeline. But Mare knew the truth would have to come to surface eventually. She was just waiting for the right time.

The she-devil herself was sitting next to her, quietly observing the match with keen eyes. Rafe appeared to be losing, though it was hard to tell. He still sported a grin, but it was strained, his brows narrowed in concentration. Adam looked to be about the same, minus the smile. He uses a technique similar to Iris's that Mae had seen at the wedding when Ella had sent her fury their way. The lightning, unlike Ella's, was thin and spindly. It ran through the water smoothly, flashing here and there. It reminded Mare of veins, the way the lightning twisted and branched out. Rafe pulled a whip together, slicing it through the air with ease. It gripped onto Adam's wrist and he cried out, his water faltering for a second, but that was all Rafe needed. A second whip dangling at his other wrist lashes out, coiling like snake ready to strike.

And strike it did, landing a blow to Adam across his knees, causing him to drop. He cursed loudly and Evangeline only delighted in the vulgar phrases. It then twisted its way onto his other wrist, acting as a pair of handcuffs, only a lot more painful. Rafe's grin regained it's usual cockiness as he smugly asked, "yield?" Adam let out a mumbled answer that Mare couldn't quite hear, but she figured he must have yielded as Rafe's whips retracted. He held out a hand as a gesture of peace as he supported Adam's weight. Rafe pulled him up with ease despite his injuries. Adam, to his credit, didn't cry out again. Reese bounded over, inspecting for any life-threatening wounds but he must've not found any. Two other newbloods cam over to help them. As they hobbled away Evangeline remained silent, though Mare could see her lips pulled in a sneer. Mare smirked and was answered with a glare.

"This is what I get for depending on a man," she sneered. With a sigh she tightened her ponytail and Mare followed her to the beginning of the track. "Okay, three," she began.

"--Wait, wait!--"

"--Two--"

"--Can it just be fifteen laps? I really like this outfit--"

"--Three," Mare finished with a mock innocent smile. Evangeline ground her teeth, her nostrils flaring in anger. "Now I remember why I fucking hate you," she spat. And with that she was off. Mare couldn't help it. The laugh exploded out of her like a gunshot and she couldn't stop it. Everything about this situation was strange but satisfying. At the edge of the track, newbloods and Reds gathered around, curiously watching the Silver princess dash like a madwoman. Kilorn sidled up next to her and Mare explained the bet they had made. After he had finished being upset about Mare excluding him from a bet, they began to laugh.

They weren't the only ones. Others laughed as well, some even cheered her as they tried to hide their smiles behind their hands. She could see friends whispering and giggling to each other. Eventually Evangeline came to her last lap. She slowed beside Mare and flipped her off. Mare rolled her eyes at that. "You're just bitter," she told her, trying and failing to suppress her wide grin. Evangeline huffed. "And you're not?"

"Doesn't count," Mare grinned at her, all restraint gone. "I'm bitter all the time."

"That true," Kilorn says over her shoulder. He got an elbow in the stomach for that comment. "Ow, what was that for?"

"Only I'm allowed to call myself bitter."

"Noted," he grumbles, rubbing his stomach.

"Mare!" someone called. They all swung their heads at the sound of the approaching voice. Mare squinted at the figure, blinking away the sunlight. Azuela was jogging over, a look of panic frozen on her features. Mare immediately tensed. By the time she was eye to eye with them, she bent over, panting. Clearly out of shape. Her ability did not lie on the battlefield though.

"Davidson, King--Volo," she got out, breathing heavily. Azuela swallowed. "They're back."

Even Evangeline went stiff.

"Davidson requests your presence Mare. Your father asked for you as well princess." The title does not slide off her tongue easily.

Evangeline nods. Then looked at Mare. 

"Shall we go?"