Page 106 of Faeling
After a prolonged moment of disbelief amongst the crowd, someone did step forward.
She recognized the orcess—Yphella Long-Tusk, daughter of Hrothgar, who stayed behind in Balmirra to act as the Innrini representative. Unsurprising that she would try one last time to claim the hand of the king—and the throne.
Unfortunately for her, both were Ravenna’s.
“I will challenge,” said Yphella.
Nodding her acknowledgement, Ravenna descended the dais to meet her opponent. She thought she heard Hilde’s squeak of concern—probably for the gown—when another guard stepped forward to offer his axe.
Ravenna took it, straining under the heft. A few nervous laughs burst from the crowd as they backed away to give the two space.
As Yphella hefted her own axe over her shoulder, she looked upon Ravenna with pity. “Don’t mistake foolishness for bravery,faeling.”
“Mind your axe, and I will mind mine.”
Shrugging, Yphella smirked.
Mattias again came to stand between them, ensuring their readiness. “Are you sure, my lady?” he whispered.
“Yes. Thank you.”
Obviously unhappy but unable to stop her, Mattias nodded curtly before stepping back.
Yphella regarded her curiously, waiting to see if Ravenna would make the first move. When she didn’t, Yphella charged.
The axe in her hands careened to the ground, followed by Yphella. She landed hard on her side, her right arm pinned. Ravenna tightened her magic around the orcess’s arm, making sure she felt the pull on her wrist.
Yphella struggled to regain her feet, but it was no use. The most Ravenna allowed was for her to climb to her knees. No matter how she tried, she couldn’t free her arm, Ravenna holding fast with her magic.
The orcess grunted and struggled, panic beginning to glint in her eyes as Ravenna walked toward her.
Arms shaking with the effort to hold the weapon, she rested the axeblade on Yphella’s shoulder. “Mercy,” she said.
Yphella stared up at her in amazement as the crowd gasped and murmured around them.
Ravenna held perfectly still, waiting to see what the orcess would do. Few reacted well to defeat, even worse to humiliation. But she needed this, needed all these big, strong orcs to understand that not only would she stand beside Vallek, she would defend him and herself. That she wasn’t an ornament or oddity.
To her own shock, Yphella threw her head back and laughed. “Well met, faeling,” the orcess chuckled. “I should have known.”
Pulling back, Ravenna set down her axe before letting Yphella’s clatter to the ground. Then she let her magic fall away from the orcess.
She offered her hand.
Yphella took it with a grin, clasping it tight as she stood. Eyes twinkling, the orcess said, “It’s a good reminder for us all—never underestimate an opponent. Even a small one.”
Ravenna grinned. “The small ones tend to bite the hardest.”
“Indeed.”
Yphella stood beside Ravenna, waiting for any other challengers, but it seemed the crowd had had their fill of fighting.
Ravenna met their curious gazes, more hopeful now than she had been when she first entered the basilica. She found less suspicion and shock—even a little, dare she hope, respect? She knew it would take more than this little display to win them over, but it was a start at least.
When no others stepped forward, Ravenna left Yphella to retake the dais.
As she approached, colorful light from the great stained glass window set behind the throne bathed her in its warmth. Her mate cut an imposing shadow through the light, splitting it with the wide span of his shoulders. Even through the glare, she could see and feel how he smiled at her, his gaze full of pride.
Ravenna smiled back, glowing. In the light of Ninevar’s Basilica, for the first time in a very long while, Ravenna knew she wasseen.
