Fencer by Viola Grace Read Free Book Online Page B

right in his smarmy face.
    Meena held back a cheer and noticed the deeply interested audience they were getting.
    Makadan rose from the portion of floor he had landed on and spit some of his dark green blood on the floor. “I challenge you to a duel.” Kebril smiled. “I accept. Now?” Makadan looked around at the milling crowd.
    “In the gardens. Can we get blades?”
    “Of course.” He signalled a servant, and the grinning female scuttled off to find the necessary duelling implements.
    “Shall we?”
    Meena took Kebril’s arm, her knees still weak from whatever the nanites were doing in her bloodstream.
    They walked to the gardens with their audience. In the centre, there was a fountain with a projected image playing against the wall of water. The servant walked in with two sabres in her arms and the governor was on her heels.
    “What is going on, Prince Kebril?” Kebril addressed Governor Orthian. “The ambassador is laying claim to my mate. When denied, he became insulting, and this is the only way to answer matters.”
    The governor looked at her with surprise. “She was not your mate when she arrived.”
    “We keep the Genaran altar at this event for just that reason, Orthian.” He lifted Meena’s hand to his lips, and the kiss warmed her.
    “Well, if that is the case, Lord Makadan, you had better offer apology.” The governor shrugged.
    The offended party was indignant that he was being ignored. “I am owed an apology for an assault. I will have it in his blood.” The governor looked around. “First blood?” Makadan shook his head. “To the loss of one limb.”
    Kebril shrugged and selected a sabre. “Which one do you prefer?”
    “What?”
    “Which limb do you prefer to lose? I would like to abide by your wishes.” Kebril looked magnificent. His black hair was held from his face with two narrow braids that confined it and joined to run the length of his back.
    The gold and black he was wearing in the form of a fitted vest and matching leggings with gold lace marching down the outside of his leg was a clear indicator to anyone who wasn’t blind that they were a matched set.
    With a howl, Makadan attacked. No polite civility, just raw ferocity.
    Kebril moved lazily, counterattacking only when necessary, deflecting the rest of the inbound blows into harmless sweeps. There was no chance that this was a fair fight. Makadan had definitely picked the wrong man to insult.
    When he got bored, Kebril moved forward and overpowered Makadan with the fury of his blows.
    He nicked the Yinshin’s face, carving a pattern with lightning-like flickers.
    Dark blood flowed down Makadan’s face, and he was filled with terror as he lost his footing and hit the ground with a thud.
    In the fountain, a vid began to play. The image of her facing off and agreeing to first blood with Makadan’s confirmation of first blood was playing.
    It was Noree’s video. She had been hidden in the shrubs and recording the duel. Everything was there, including Makadan’s refusal to accept his loss.
    The governor looked from Meena to the ambassador. “I don’t think that you will be useful for your people, Lord Makadan. Either leave right now or lose the limb you have forfeited.” He spluttered, glaring at her. “This is your fault, bitch.”
    Kebril lashed out with the blade and slapped him on either cheek. There was a faint glow left behind that told Meena Lord Makadan was going to be wearing those marks for the rest of his life.
    “Do not call her that. Do not speak to her again unless the words are apology. You owe me a limb, Makadan. I will remember, and if you set foot on Yacaro again, I will collect.” His lordship scrambled to his feet, looked for assistance in the crowd, but as most of the higher-ranking Yacaro were there and had seen everything, he had no one to stand with him. He ran from the party without looking back.
    Orthian sighed. “I am sorry for the distress caused you, Miss. Yacaro is usually much more