Demons Heart

Chapter 6

"Why are we here?" Quinn is the first to ask as we're at the training grounds. It's where all our guards and men are trained to fight and protect the the kingdom and the people. "The battlegrounds is the next game." "They say the suitor games are dangerous, well now you'll understand why."

I walk towards the grounds as everyone else swarms around me to see the men fighting in the dirt ring now. They're brutal as they hit the ground as blood is pouring from their mouths. "They used to pin the suitors against each other for entertainment but I'll be pairing you with Cleyans men."

"You need to understand our standards and the skills you'll need to be king, even once the competition is over, whoever is king will need to train." The men all seem a bit frightened over this one, yet this one says a lot about their character.

I even picked Ricardo to participate. He's always loved a great challenge and nothing better then the suitors of different nations. He also likes to take their ego down a notch.

"This game will show your strength, your abilities and your character." "I do hope you all give it your best shot." "Aiden may now step into the ring." We hear on the speaker. "I got this." He says as he goes to get dressed before heading into the ring to fight Ricardo.

"In the meantime, we'll spend our time making bets." I joke with them as we head under a bleacher with a roof as it may rain later on today. Vornan seems the least interested of all the suitors, yet again.

"Were you serious about betting?" Karden asks me as he places his own nations royal coin on the table. I place my own down as he tells me how Aiden will go down after the first hit, while I think he'll survive a couple of minutes.

The match soon begins as Ricardo gets a few hits in, yet Aiden is throwing them back, especially as he swings his leg under him, taking Ricardo to the ground. The suitors cheer oddly enough, yet he's getting back up, getting Aiden from behind, into a choke hold before Aiden is tapping out. Karden gives me his coin before huffing and walking away. It seems Karden doesn't like to lose.

I did think the match would last longer but Ricardo really is one of the best we have. Renade is up next as I get one of the servers to get us all drinks and some food.

I see Renade get up, looking panicked. I get up and go towards him, placing a hand on his shoulder. "Don't be bothered if you lose." "Ricardo is the best fighter we have and trains the men on the grounds."

"He will most likely win all the matches today." "I just want to prepare my future husband for the training he'll need to endure, that this position isn't only about being my husband buy a king and protector for Cleyan."

Renade nods as he walks away, going to get dressed. We all watch as he comes out wearing green. "You like to torture them?" I hear as Vornan comes up behind me, while I'm near the fence that surrounds the arena.

"I do not." I respond back to him as he looks at me, observing me. "I can see that you do." He leans in closer as I feel his arm touching my own. I look down at it as he does as well.

"You said I shouldn't have done that..." "Does that mean you're opposed to touch?" I drop my arm from the fence as I turn to him. "You seem unsure about whether you want to be in this competition." He turns away from me, looking at Renade as Ricardo has him pinned to the ground.

"My reasons are my own." He simply says, yet I can see the doubt in his eyes. He isn't sure about this competition and I'm not sure if it's because of the position he would inherit or if it's being married to me.

Vornan looks at the fight as he enjoys seeing them lose. It makes him feel stronger about winning in the end, yet he feels he will also lose something, someone in the end. When Emory finds out his purpose for being here and the consequences of him winning, she will never forgive him.

He isn't sure why it even matters. He isn't intending on developing feeling in this competition, yet the kiss they shared flashes in his memory. He'd never tell her but it had been his first kiss. He'd also never tell her about the smile on his face as she left.

I see Renade get up and leave the ring as Trinit is next. "I bet you'll hit the dirt after the first hit." Darmen taunts as everyone stays silent. Trinit looks to me before turning away, heading down to the ring.

The servers comes back, delivering some drinks and an array of food. "Enjoy." I tell them as Aiden and Renade walk back in, sitting down. "I'm starting to think this isn't fair." Ricardo says as he looks at me and I nod my head. We had planned this before hand as I want to test just how competitive the suitors are.

"Darmen will now enter the ring." Darmen surges forward, looking down and seeing Trinit still inside. "He's still in there?" "Ricardo thinks the fights are easy, we're now giving him two of you to fight."

Darmen then squares his shoulders as he starts to walk down the steps. "Remember to work together." I yell after him as he soon too enters the ring. Ricardo doesn't start the fight this time as he watches them both take position.

Trinit is on his right, while Darmen in on his left. They're in a good position to fight Ricardo but if they're willing to work together to take him down is yet to be seen.

The bell chimes as both of them surge forward, to Ricardo. I watch as Darmen lands a kick, while Trinit lands a punch. Ricardo shakes it off as I hear the two suitors talking. "You call that a punch?" Darmen cusses at Trinit as he shoves him.

Ricardo stands back and watches as Trinit shoves Darmen back. "A suitor fight, this is new." I hear as Benjamin seems to have now joined us as the audience. The rest of the suitors stand up, coming to the fence as they all watch. "Darmen!" "Trinit!" The suitors behind me start cheering as Ricardo looks at me, shaking his head.

I could see Ricardo doesn't see them as king material, while I can still see them working it out, that they take the competition seriously. I'm proven right as Ricardo starts to walk away, yet Darmen picks Trinit up, swinging him in the air before throwing him towards Ricardo.

Ricardo falls down as Trinit lays on top of him. He gets up as Trinit rolls off of him. "You're going to play dirty." Ricardo says to Darmen as Trinit gets up, trying to strike him from behind, yet Ricardo grabs his hand, twisting it back as Darmen runs towards them. He slides under Ricardo, grabbing his leg and pulling him to the ground.

Ricardo falls as he lets go of Trinit. They both then go to pin Ricardo down as they take both of his wrists. What they don't account for in his legs coming up, kicking them in the head as they both let go, passing out.

We all wait until they get up as Ricardo shakes them awake. "You can play all the tricks you want but skill is the best way to defeat an opponent." The two of them walk out together, wrapping their arms around one another.

"Wren may now step into the ring." He does so, without any encouragement. I see Wren wears yellow robes, to represent his nation. I watch intently as the suitors are eating and cheering as Darmen and Trinit come back and sit down.

Wren doesn't seem fazed as Ricardo walks towards him, he maneuvers around his first punch. He then kicks him in the shin from behind as Ricardo looks back, not seeing Wren as I watched him lift off the ground in an impressive way before he lands another kick to his stomach.

Wren is quick on his feet, yet Ricardo is still able to catch him as Wren tries to take out his other leg. Ricardo holds him by the neck. "Technique is an asset but so is force." He says as I agree with his consensus. Wren has showed the most potential, yet he needs to be more confident in the strikes he delivers.

"Slain may now enter the ring." The laughter behind me stops as Slain gets up to leave. He's one of the softer men among the suitors as I think about how he'll handle the fight. I see him come out and he looks to all of us before looking at Ricardo.

He balls his hands into fists as Ricardo tries to strike him. He lowers himself as he avoids the hit. He then pulls Ricardo down by grabbing his waist, pulling him down with him, before he maneuvers out of it. "This one has some training."

They're in the ring longer than the others as they wrestle and I see a great fighter in Slain. It ends with Slain being pinned but it's a great match to watch, especially as they get up and Ricardo nods his head, liking this suitor.

"Polter may now enter the ring." Polter goes down as his match ends in seconds. He even says after the match that he'd enjoy getting some training as he's never trained in his life.

"Karden may now enter the ring." "Tell me, did you think any of them would defeat your fighter." "No, we wouldn't have the strong nation we do if they were able to take him out." "What happens if one of the suitors do?" Vornan asks me as I know Ricardo would spend all his effort into gaining more strength and muscle, to protect Cleyan.

Ricardo doesn't like to lose, yet accepts it and only tries to work harder at becoming a better fighter. "I'd be proud." I say honestly, since I know of how much work Ricardo puts into his skills.

He was one of the few friends I had in the palace as we'd talk about our hopes and dreams together. I may have been locked inside the north wing of the castle, yet I was still able to go on the ground and on the rare occasion, I left the palace all together, in a disguise of course.

"I'll win this for you darling." Karden winks at me from the ring as he yells towards me. I see Vornan narrow his eyes at him. It seem Karden notices as he looks away and focuses on Ricardo.

They instantly start to fight as Karden makes jokes about Ricardo's love life. "You must spend all your time working on muscles that no one sees." Karden grabs one of his arms as I watch him lean into his ear.

We don't hear it, yet Karden is playful as he touches his cheek with his own, leaning into his ear. "I bet no one even gets to touch them." He taunts as he pulls down on his arm, yet Ricardo holds him up with it.

He's then pinning him down in seconds. I see Ricardo on top of Karden for longer then necessary as I see that Karden is talking to him. He then pushes him off as he squirms out from under him, leaving the ring.

"Quinn may now enter the ring." Quinn is stoic as ever as he leaves and is inside the arena. He looks fierce and I assume it's an act, yet he has Ricardo pinned in less then five moves.

He's swift with every punch, kick and hold until he's kneeling on Ricardo proudly. I'm proud of Quinn, yet I see Ricardo's face as he's looking at me. I can see the determination and the disappointment in himself.

If I wasn't in the position that I am, I'd be trying to cheer him up, to tell him he'll do better next time, yet I can't. I can't be his friend. I must be his queen as I do nothing as I know he'll work on his abilities himself, what I do give him is a small smile and a nod. It's the only encouragement I can give him at this moment.

Quinn then walks out as the suitors cheer like never before. They even keep cheering until he walks back up to us. They start to serve him drinks as I turn around and in the right corner, I see the next suitor.

"I'll be last again, won't I?" Vornan asks as ge too looks at Brent. "He won't survive in there." "I know." I agree with him as Brent looks at his hands that are shaking, then back to me.

"Brent may now enter the ring." The cheering stops as all the suitors look at the frightened man that stands up. It's silent, especially as Brent stands up, walking towards me, about to step down the stairs as I take his hand.

He looks down at our hands as I ignore the stares from the other suitors. I lead him down the stairs hand in hand. "Emory." He calls out, saying my name sweetly. My heart is warm as I hold his hand.

"Don't worry." I tell him as I then let go of his hand and turn him to face me, my hands on both of his shoulders. "You don't need to win, you only need to try your best."

He nods as he smiles at me. "I'm scared." He admits as he looks past me, at Ricardo. "Do your best." I then pull him into a hug, feeling his arms wrap around me softly. I don't want to let go of him, yet he must complete this game to move on in the competition.

I watch him as he goes into the door to change, before he comes out, facing Ricardo. Ricardo comes forward as Brent cowers slightly, backing away. "You need to fight." Ricardo urges him as he looks at me and Brent does the same. "Do you want her?" Ricardo asks as my heart stops, waiting for his answer.

"Yes." He then turns around, trying to strike Ricardo as he dodges it. My heart then jumps at his bravery. I know he isn't strong like the others but his other qualities are to my liking, especially his compassion.

He tries again, to kick him this time as Ricardo catches his foot. He huffs, then takes his other foot, trying to wrap it around his neck as he jumps up. He does so and while he only takes down Ricardo the once before he pins him, I'm more then just proud of him.

He walks out as I gather him into a hug. I see a bruise on his cheek as we pull away as Ricardo did seem to land a few brutal hits on him. I touch the bruise with my thumb as he winces. His eyes looking into mine as tears well up in my eyes.

He does something unexpected as he leans in and kisses me. It's soft and sweet as I gently move my lips on his. "Vornan will now enter the ring." We hear as we're about to pull away, yet Vornan walks past, pushing me into Brent and into the wall as he shoves past us.

"I'm sorry." I say to Brent as I may have worsened his bruises by being shoved into him. He shakes his head as if to say it's okay as he looks down and blushes. "Come with me." I tell him as I take him into the changing room.

I hear commotion outside as Vornan's fight begins yet pay no attention to it as I get ointment for Brent. I then tell him to take off his shirt as he tells me he can do it himself.

I don't want to pressure him as I'm about to give him the ointment, yet it's then that he takes off his shirt, showing me his bruises. I see his pale skin, marred with bruises as I also see the definition of muscle.

I look at his face and see him looking at me with a desired gaze. I realize now just how intimate this, yet ignore it as I take off the cap from the ointment, apply some to my finger and gently rub it on his bruises.

He winces as I do so, yet bares with it until I'm done. The last area I need to cover is his cheek. I feel slightly nervous as I lean in a apply the ointment, Brent looking into my eyes, leaning in as I feel his lips on mine again.

This time it's a bit rougher. He wraps his arms around my waist, pulling me closer as the ointment drops and my arms go around his neck. The moment is perfect until a door slams open.

Vornan walks in, putting a hand between Brent and I as he places it on his chest. He pushes him back and off me. "You don't get to win before the competition is even over." He then walks away as I help Brent up.

Vornan was rather crude but I realize he's right. I can't do this, not until the end and with my husband. Brent is rather quiet as we head back out to everyone else.

"Did you see it!?" Karden asks excitedly as we're all back in the bleachers. I see most of the men whispering amongst each other. The only clue I get with in the gossip is Vornan's name mentioned multiple times.

"See what?" I ask Karden as I look away from the other suitors. "He smoked the whole field out, blinding Ricardo, before tying him up with rope." "He ended the match in seconds and beat Ricardo."

Karden talks about it as if it's amazing, yet I'm starting to realize there's more to Vornan then meets the eyes. He must be some sort of magician. I think to myself as Vornan joins us.

He looks angry as the suitors go up to him, asking what happened, yet his eyes are trained on Brent. That is until I step forward, in front of Brent as I block his view. He looks away as he ignores everyone while walking back to the palace.

Everyone else follows in his lead as we all walk back. Karden leaves me alone with Brent as he continues to gossip about what had happened. "Make sure to keep applying ointment." "I'll get Remy to bring it to you."

"Remy?" "She's our nurse in the palace." "She works at a clinic when she isn't needed in the kingdom." He nods his head as Ricardo then comes up to me. I tell Brent to head inside as I talk to Ricardo.

"He isn't human." He tells me as he looks at Vornan who's standing by a window inside. "He's a magician, that's all." "You didn't see it, did you?" "No magician can do what he did." "You're exaggerating." "I'm not." I shake my head as I turn to walk away, yet he grabs my arm.

"Trust me." "Be careful." I shake my arm out of his grip before I walk inside. "Make sure to work on your skills." I call back to him before shutting the door.

The suitors all turn to look at me as I know they're looking for the results of this game. "You all fared quite well against Ricardo, some better than others." I say as I look at both Quinn and Vornan.

"The one leaving today wasn't an easy decision to make, yet I think they deserve more then what the crown can offer." "Polter will be leaving." The men seem sad to see another man go, yet relieved that it isn't them.

"I'll walk you out." I go with him and as we walk I tell him what his own family should have. "You deserve a normal life." He looks at me as I say this as we reach the front door.

"You shouldn't have to endure royalty, not when you can live a normal life and give back to the people in a different way." "I'm not sure what that shall be, whether you'll be a soldier or someone who deals in charities but you should pursue your dreams, not the crown."

"I understand." Polter smiles at me before giving me a slight bow. "I wish all the best to the future queen of Cleyan." I smile as he stands back up. "I wish Polter, a man who wishes to be normal, a normal life."

He then leaves as I see most of the suitors still sitting in the living room. They're all talking amongst each other as I see Brent is gone. "He went to bed." Vornan says from behind me. "You always sneak up on me."

"You just never see me." He says in a sour tone as I turn to face him. "Is someone jealous?" I ask him as he laughs dryly. "I just need to know if the competition is over." "Have you chosen Brent and forgot to mention it to the rest of us?" "It's too soon to tell."