Guardian Vs. Hybrid

Competition Is Tough

        “I’m so proud of myself.” Daphne looked over her handy work. The Princess loved dressing me up like a doll, and it really didn’t bother me all that much.

                The Princess dressed me in a short airy black dress so I could still move for the competition, then put up my hair in a messy up-do. The last finishing touch was the soft smoky kohl around my eyes and a pale pink lip stain. While the Princess dressed herself in a long silky golden dress, the same make-up, and an elegant up-do with pearls laced through it. After we both laced up our sandals we set out to the rec. yard where everything was set up for the competition while venders were lined across the yard to give out food and drinks.

                As soon as the Princess saw candy apples, she was on the hustle to get one before her mother showed up. I watched the crowd attentively. It still surprised my how fast people showed up to the Queen’s events, even if it was a spontaneous thing like now. All the Lords and Ladies of nobility were here, all wanting to know about the Princess and the guest Prince. Speaking of the man himself, I saw him and his companion come into view, but he didn’t quite notice us yet.

                “Princess, the Prince is getting closer to us.” I said over Daphne’s shoulder just as she went to bite into the apple.

                “Oh, no!” Without thinking Daphne tossed it towards me, forcing me to catch the sticky apple in my bare hands. “Sorry, but if he sees me eating that he might think I’m going to get fat in the future.”

                I closed my eyes and let out a sigh. I doubted that the Hybrid Vampyr Prince was worried about something like a candy apple. As they approached, both men looked over the women before them. Zohar let his eyes quickly roam over his soon to be bride first, before checking me out. His eyes slid over me slowly, as if he was trying to find something hidden on my body.

                “You’re looking mighty nice, my prince.” Daphne said with a curtsey and I saluted, still with the apple in my hand.

                Zohar nodded his thanks. “The two of you look quite beautiful if I may.”

                The Princess giggled holding out her hand for him to take while I held in a sigh. This day was wearing me out.

                “Well Princess, show me how you and the Queen hold competitions in Ja-kkar.” Zo said taking her hand.

                Daphne beamed with excitement. “Of course, prince.”

                Following them around was worse than Daphne’s shopping sprees. She flirted blatantly with Zohar constantly, making me and Mace (the Prince’s companion) really uncomfortable. We had to listen to things that were supposed to be personal, and things that made us cringe with the romance dripping from Daphne. It was like watching the cheesiest chick flick in existence and being forced to watch it after a vicious break up.

                Finally, tired of it, I spoke up. “My Lady, may I go prepare for the competition since you are in the capable hands of the Lord General?”

                Zohar glanced over to me curiously. “You’re participating?”

                “Of course, Bell is, Prince Zohar.” Daphne said laughing. “She wins in almost every event we hold, especially the ‘one on one’ duels for a kiss from me. So far no man has been able to beat her.”

                He smiled over at me with a glint in his eye. “Oh, is that right? It seems like you and her majesty hold a lot of events.”

                “You have no idea.” Daphne said giggling, not noticing where he was looking. “Did you want to participate, my prince?”

                Oh, for the love of everything no…I thought, trying to not visibly saddened. Then it hit me, he heard every thought I just had. “My Lady, I doubt the General has enough time to entertain you and the Queen and compete. So, can I be dismissed before Evanth steals my swards again?”

                She laughed. “Yes, you may go. Kick him one good for me while you’re at it.”

                “Yes, my Lady. Lord General.” I bowed and tried to leave as fast as I could. As soon as I got out of sight I let out a deep breath to compose myself. I couldn’t believe I had the nerve to speak for him, a Prince and my General. Not to mention the fact that he heard my blatant no thoughts.

                Trying to not think about what I had just done, I walked to my tent to get suited for the first event. Archery. I snatched my bow and quiver from its rack before turning to leave, except something caught my attention. There was a small sack next to my armored breast plate. I quickly checked it out, but there was nothing in it. Passing it off I left the tent to head for the event.

                The crowd was going crazy as the competitors chose a target, and in all there was eight people, including me and Mace. Who I didn’t even notice was there next to me until the last second. The announcer hyped the crowd up as the Queen, Daphne, and the Hybrid Prince sat down in the Queens booth.

                I nodded to my mistress as Daphne waved, I dismissed a smile from Zo before it was ready for us to shoot our first arrow.

                “Ready, set, fire!”

                I let out my breath as the arrow was released from my bow. It seemed to fly in slow motion as it stuck in the center circle, but not a dead bulls eye. The crowd went crazy for the winners. Out of the eight only four advanced to the next round, including me and Mace.

                We let the second arrows go, and to my surprise Mace made the same shot as me. So, it was only us two now. He gave me a weird look before loading our next arrows.

                “You better watch yourself, Corporal. I think your drawing too much attention to yourself.” He said under his breath, only the two of us would be able to hear.

                I looked over to him, but didn’t move my head. “What are you talking about? This competition wasn’t my idea.”

                “Are you sure you don’t know what I’m meaning, Rose?”

                “Fire!”

                Without thinking, I released the arrow. It flew to land two centimeters off from the bull’s eye. The crowd cheered behind us wildly, Mace had missed the target entirely. I stared at him with a confused expression on my face. He missed the target on purpose, I was sure of it.

                I rushed over to him through the crowd to grab his arm. “What were you talking about back there? Do I know you? I do, don’t I?”

                He shook his head. “I can’t say anymore, because it’s not my place. I do know that Prince Zo is my best friend and has been for hundreds of years. In all that time, I’ve never seen him interested in someone like that Princess. Its strong and independent women he likes. Also, he doesn’t actually remember you after the Haze took over, but I do. I remember everything that happened during the war, and your secret is safe with me. I know you have feelings for the Prince, and honestly, I wish it were you becoming my future queen. You are his rightful mate. But I fear for Zohar. He’s starting to act more like he did before the Turning. I don’t know what he’s thinking, but it’s not good. Something will trigger his memory though, and he will remember everything that happened with the two of you. He will remember the Haze, and how you got that scar you hide with majick across your chest. When he does remember, he’s going to come for you. My Lady, you know he will. He won’t stop, he won’t let anything get in his way. He never has. Remember, you are his rightful mate.”

                Before he could finish, Evanth came out of nowhere to punch me dead in the side. “Hey, you have to get ready for the next event, Rosabell. Who were you just talking to?”

                Mace had moved away so fast I almost hadn’t see him leave. I knew I recognized him, Mace was from the war too. And he knew something I didn’t, something about mates, a word that hasn’t been used for years. With a sigh, I nodded to him. “Okay, let’s go.”

                “This is not what I signed up for when I joined the service.” I sighed out while I let a servant girl named Lany blindfold me.

                This was the ‘Blind Toss’ event. You had five attempts to slice a coconut like fruit, and the one who slices the most wins, easy enough sounding. So far everyone except me has gone, Mace got four out of five, due to the fact he so happened to roll his ankle on a small rock causing him to miss the last one.

                “This is easy, my Lady. Just like last time.” The girl said moving away.

                I snorted. Yeah, it’s a piece of cake to slice a rock like fruit in midair while blind.

                I took a deep breath as they threw up the first one. Quickly, I moved towards it and sliced up with one of my swards before moving to the second one. My body was moving fluidly as I cut one after another. While exhaling I cut upward and sliced the last one directly above me.

                The people cheered around me while I ripped my blindfold off and glanced in the direction of the Queens box. Daphne was clapping, looking mighty proud, while Zohar watched me with the eyes of a beast. I felt like he was judging me all on his own with these events, but these where something I did regularly for fun. They were not his to use against me.

                After bowing to the Queen’s box, I strode off to help Evanth get ready for the next event. Conjuring. That was his specialty, and this year he was determined to place first like the last seven competitions before this.

Of course, he won, the show-off conjured a fricking extinct Pegasus for the Queen.

                Due to a suspicious person leering near the palace gate, I missed the next two events, but made it in time for the last one. The duel for a kiss from the Princess, the event I hated with every bone in my body. This was the one event that I absolutely could not lose, because Daphne told me so. She didn’t want to kiss everyone, or that’s what she said.

                Because I always won, they let the guys fight off each other, then the winner gets to fight me for the kiss. I laughed when I saw Mace look over to me and shrug. He was fighting, for what reason I didn’t know, but watching him fight was amusing. He was sloppy, yet extremely effective as he took down man after man until he was the last one. I smiled as I made my way to the center of the field.

                “I always liked your fighting style, it’s very different. We’ll have to spare together when there are less eyes on us. Though, I didn’t know you wanted a kiss from my Lady this bad, Mace.” I said getting into fighting stance.

                “He doesn’t, but I do.”

                I spun around to see the Prince himself standing behind me with beautiful duel swards in his hands. It was a challenge.

“Your highness, what are you doing?” Daphne called out while leaning over the edge of the box to see him better.

                He looked up to her with a smile. “Mace is a damn good soldier, but he is no match for Rosabell and they both know it. So, to get a kiss I’m going to have to face her myself.”

                I dropped my guard. “Are you sure you want to do this, Lord General? I’m not supposed to bear arms against you, ever.”

                “I thought my father also taught you to never hesitate in a fight? No matter if you’re fighting a soldier or a King.” Zohar said before moving way faster than I would have ever thought, I almost lost sight of him.

                Quickly thinking, I jumped backwards to land softly on my feet. Fine, I’m not going to hold back, ser. I have a lot riding on this event.

                You were going to go easy on me? He asked while advancing on me again.

                Zo swung his blade. With a huff, I dropped down to dodge it. I jabbed with my sward, but watched as he grabbed the blade and yanked it from my hand. No one has ever done that to me before, and he didn’t even get cut.

        I got into stance again while sighing. “Well, you took my sward, do you want me to use my magic, Lord General?”

        The smile that passed over his face made me quiver. Zohar was seriously getting a kick out of this. “That’s what I’ve been waiting for, darling. It’s been a while since I have been in a sparring match.”

        I glared at him as I held out both my hands and a bright green electricity wrapped around my arms. I don’t think you know what you’re asking for, please reconsider this decision, ser. The last time we fought it didn’t end well.

        The last time? Zohar beckoned me forward with a smirk on his face.

        Without hesitation I shot forward, aiming for his chest. He barely moved out of the way before reaching around to try and grab me. Zo wrapped his arm around my neck from behind, but I easily leaned over to fling him off.

        My magic shot out after him, but with a wave of his hand he dispersed it. With a huff, I sent out a wave of devastating magic that caught him off guard. It cut into his face with a force that made him have to find his footing.

        I’m sorry, General. But this is going to get much worse if you don’t yield. I said for only him to hear.

        Before Zohar could react, I rushed forward to slam my shoulder into him with the force of a train. He stumbled backwards and I was right in his face with a hand covered in lightning. I made him think I was focused on my hand, but what he didn’t expect was my foot. It came around to sweep his feet out from under him.

        He almost fell to the floor, but was barely able to catch himself. That didn’t matter. I had an overflow of energy dripping from my hand and was ready to use it, yet this whole time he was just playing with me.

        As Zohar fell to the ground, he grabbed my hand and pulled me with him. As soon as Zo hit the ground he aimed my hand at the princess and Queen. In all of five seconds I lost, he was either cheating or taking advantage of the situation. Either way, it was over.

        “Release the energy, Corporal. You’ve lost, and the only thing you can do now is yield before I break your arm into pieces or you can shoot the princess and queen.” His voice was hot on my ear. “You’ve lost to me, again.”

        Everyone watched as I let the energy in my hand dissipate, only then did Zohar let me get back on my feet. My eyes were wild, and my voice was shaky. He had never seen a woman this furious at defeat, like I was going to be killed because of it.

        “May I be dismissed, Lord General?” I was nearly shaking with my anger.

        “You are dismissed, Corporal.” Prince Zo said, and he watched me storm off the field like I was about to explode. Before he turned to leave he saw a few other guards follow me out.

        I heard the three guys behind me while I walked, keeping my head high, I tried to control my breathing. It was my choice to not go all out against the prince, and I was going to own up for it.

        Princess Daphne smiled as Prince Zo approached her. “What’s wrong, my Prince?”

        Zohar shook his head at her. “How do I get to the barracks from here?”

        Confused, Daphne answered immediately. “Go to the food stalls, behind them is the barracks. What’s wrong, Prince Zohar?”

        He didn’t answer her, he was gone before he even heard what she said. He got lost a few times before actually finding the way there. When he got there he didn’t see anything at first, but then he heard men talking behind a curtain.

        “So, the mighty Rosabell was finally defeated? We’ve waited years for this moment. Do you remember the conditions we told you back then?” One guy named Garret said as he took a step forward to touch my cheek lightly.

        The second guy named Tru grabbed my hand and pulled me away from the tent wall. “The moment you lose the tournament you are ours. We can make your life hell you know, but if you are a good girl we will leave you be. Well, kind of.”

        “It seems like we’ve been waiting forever to knock you off your pedestal. The untouchable Rosabell was beat like a dog in the street. I wonder what it’s going to be like to have you under me. I bet your amazing as a lover.” The third guy names Lorel said as he ran a hand down my side.

        I took the treatment and clenched my jaw tight as they kept touching me. “I don’t remember anything the guardsmen say. I’m pretty busy with a real job.”

        Tru huffed as he yanked my head back by my long hair. “Don’t be coy, Rosabell. Even you, being an Elite, you’re still a woman. When was the last time you let a man take you? You know you want to be with us. We’ll fill you up with c***s to the point that you can’t stand it.”

        I sighed a little. “No.”

        “Why do you act like you’re so far above the rest of us? Or is it that you won’t lay with a human?” The second guy said laying his hand on the base of my throat.

        Looking bored, I let out a huff. “Your right about that. I don’t sleep with humans; you beings are too weak. Docile.”

        The third guy put a sharp blade to my stomach, trying to remove my armor. “Well, how about all three of us show you how weak and docile humans are in bed? We’ll rip you apart and you’ll never be able to take a man between your legs again.”

        “Maybe after we’re done we’ll go get the other guardsmen to have fun with you. How many c***s can you take in a row, Rosabell?” Tru sneered while he groped my breasts roughly.

        I bit my bottom lip hard enough to draw blood. “I’ve had enough of this harassment from you lowly humans.”

        Without hesitation, I lifted my hand and created three balls of black in my palm. Then flipped my palm, releasing the orbs. They floated in the air for a moment before each soared into the three guardsmen’s chests. As I closed my hand the men started screaming out in pain, causing them to release me. I aborted my displeasure as I opened my hand out wide. Instantly, the three men exploded from the inside out. Spraying blood all over the tent and me.

        Zohar watched as the men exploded and how I didn’t even flinch as my body and face was sprayed with their blood. He unconsciously stepped inside the tent and moved over to me. Something about me was drawing him in. I was more powerful than he thought, and that knowledge was attracting him like a moth to a flame. It was blatantly in his face that I had let him win earlier.

        I glanced over to him with emotionless blue eyes. “I’m sorry you had to see that, Lord General. I got carried away.”

        He didn’t say anything as he stopped in front of me. His hand went to my face, wiping some of the blood from my cheek. I didn’t move as I watched Zohar. I felt his hand slide behind my neck, and before I knew it his lips were against mine. Those feelings I struggled to suppress bubbled back up and over the rim.

        Zohar didn’t hesitate to deepen the kiss, stepping in to close the distance between us. The fire he felt as we touched was intense and almost exhausting, he longed to feel anything in life besides the bloodlust that had absorbed him in the war. Now, he felt something completely different. The warmth of my lips on his engulfed his senses. He could feel how strong I was with every second we touched. This feeling was nostalgic to him, and he craved it more with every prolonged exposure to me. Then it hit him like a tidal wave, he knew these lips and this person in front of him. He remembered everything.

        I was just as lost in the kiss as Zohar, and it took everything in me to hold myself back, but the prince wasn’t having it. He grabbed my wrist and pulled my body up against his. There was no time in our moment. It felt as if we were in a box where nothing else existed, at least until I pulled away from him.

        “I can’t…I have to go, the princess will be waiting for me.” I said almost in a whisper while I avoided his intense gaze.

        He smiled, lifting my chin and forcing me to look at him. “We can continue this later then.”

        I shook my head. “No. You are going to be my ladies husband. I could be severely punished for being in your intimate company, Lord General. We were never meant to be like this.”

        “Daphne isn’t the wife or mate I intended to have at my side. I need a strong woman, one I don’t have to worry about my siblings hurting. Like you, my dear corporal. I could see you sitting next to me, commanding and leading armies without hesitation into battle. Like you did with my father. So, if Daphne breaks off the engagement it’s not going to hurt me any.” Zohar shrugged, fixing the front of my armor for me. “Being in my company won’t draw that much suspicion, you are one of my subordinate soldiers, Corporal. Remember, I am your commanding general. You obey me, just as much as your princess.”

        I sucked in a breath as he pulled me against him again, feeling my body quake being up against him. Please, I need to go. I can’t do this again…

        He nodded, but before he let my go he stole another kiss from my soft lips. Without looking at him again, I left the tent to go clean myself up before Daphne saw me covered in blood.