Poison Rose(Roses & Kings #1)
Chapter 12

When Reyna walked into her room, her Nana was seated at the bedside table. On the rocking chair that had been in Reyna's room as far back as she could remember. She was knitting and waiting for her, Reyna was sure. A big ball of yarn was rolling at her feet. She rises onto her feet, Immediately when her eyes fall on Reyna's tired face.

“You look tired, come sit, I know you didn't have the time to eat, knowing you and your obsession with books, you'd probably forgotten to put something in your stomach.” Reyna sat down and started eating the plate of food Nana placed in front of her on the table.

“How did your first training as a Rose go?” Nana asked when she sat back on the rocking chair and went back to her knitting. Reyna swallows the mouthful of food she'd shove into her mouth and replies excitedly.

“It was great, and I like Sabrina, she's….. nice, the girls are okay too.” She decided, her Nana nodded satisfied.

“That's nice to hear, and yes she is a very nice girl, I'm also glad you're getting along with the girls.”

“Nana, did you know that the first Rose was Marlene Margaret Williams? I saw her portrait today. She's so beautiful and she looked so much like Cassandra, I also saw the portraits of all the other Roses, there's so much we really didn't know about the Roses. The book I read today is titled the history of the sisterhood and how it came to be. Did you know that the sisterhood was an extension of the guardians until it became independent in the year 2085? due to a change of leadership.”

Reyna wished she could show her Nana the books, but she left all the books on the table.Sabrina said they were not allowed to leave with them.

“Isn't it forbidden to share the contents of the book with an outsider? You will get in trouble if someone overheard you telling me the secrets of the Roses.” Reyna smiled her mouth full, when she finally swallowed she replied.

“Who's going to tell, it's just you and me here and I know you would never tell on me.” Nana laughed and said,

“Never, my darling Princess.”

The next day, Nana had to remind Reyna of the fight before she could muster the strength to pried her heavy eyes open. Just like two days ago. They had sneaked out of the castle and visited the villagers with sacks of food, just like she promised herself she would.

They didn't come back to the castle until close to dawn, because for whatever reason when they came back, security was tight. There were so many guards around the castle keeping watch, probably to keep more beasts from attacking unannounced.

It wasn't until Lisa came and talked to the guards about something, and she turned taking the guards with her around the back, that they were finally able to go in.

Reyna was so exhausted that she didn't even get the chance to change from her disguise into her sleeping dress. She slept like the dead. Until the nightmare,which was weird and scary as hell, woke her.

She had dreamt of the beast and her great grandmother, clustered in the underground room, hiding from the other beasts. Reyna didn't get much sleep after that, not until the sun rose. The fight was to take place in the evening, so she stayed in and had a much-needed sleep.

When she woke an hour before the time of their fight. She had a cold bath, Reyna couldn't eat, she didn't have any appetite. With the fight, the beast and the nightmare she wasn't in the best of mood. Which is bad, because she needs to keep herself calm if she's to win this fight. When they finally left the castle and arrived at the training grounds.

Reyna was surprised to see the place was packed with people, probably all the people of Marlenia are here, except for the security guards, even the men were allowed to attend today,which goes to show how much these fights mean to Cassandra.

Reyna had to try really hard to not go there and have a closer look at the men. Every woman and child are looking at them. Gawking to put it aptly.

Reyna stood in the middle of the clearing where they were about to fight, jumping and stretching, straightening her muscles. She had on a black vest and her brown uniform pants, her light brown hair was in a long braid.

The clearing is the same place where all the previous fights have taken place throughout the years. Mary was speaking to Reyna about the fights, making sure she remembered the rules.

When Lisa came out to the field, her clothes were like Reyna's except for the way she put her hair, hers was in a ponytail. Reyna glances at the front row by her left where Cassandra and the council are seated.

They were the only ones sitting, everyone else was standing, excited and waiting. Then the bell rang and the flag was released, Reyna and Lisa circle each other looking for any weaknesses to exploit.

“Fair warning Reyna, don't expect me to go easy on you just because you are the princess, I don't care if you want to impress your Mommy dearest, I'm going to win.” Lisa taunted, hoping to get a rise out of her. Reyna smirks. Good luck with that.

“You can certainly try.” she'd barely clamp her mouth shut, when Lisa attacked,kicking and throwing punches at her. She took Reyna by surprise and landed a few strikes, but Reyna quickly recovered. Her left eye hurts from the first punch she'd delivered. Damn her! She really can pack a right hook.

They kick and punch each other, duck, jump and follow, retreat and attack. Until they were both bruised, sweaty and bloody and still they fought. The crowd was crazy, shouting, cheering and making booing sounds.

You could tell they didn't have much excitement in their lives. Lisa was beginning to slow down. She's tired,Reyna's tired too, it's time she ends this. Lisa might not have something on the line if she loses, but Reyna does.

When she tried to kick her, Reyna held her foot and punched her hard in her solar plexus. She wheezes, Reyna throws another hard punch and kicks her all in quick succession until she falls down. She followed her to the ground and sat on her stomach and kept pummeling her.

She punched her in the nose and the distinct sound of broken cartilage sickened Reyna to her core. But she didn't let up, Lisa tried to buck Reyna off her,twisting and turning. Reyna grounded her feet for leverage and doubled her effort. She won't let anyone take Nana away from her. She. Won't. Lose. Her.

Reyna brings her fist down to punch her again. When suddenly someone grabs her fisted hand. Reyna heard voices from afar. It was as if she was in a trance, every sound was muffled. Then her ears popped and she heard Mary and the crowds, but most of all she saw Lisa.

Reyna looked at Lisa's battered face,her nose is bleeding, one of her eyes is red, the skin around the eye is bruised badly and would definitely turn an ugly purple before it turns blue black. Reyna got off of her so fast she landed on her butt, breathing hard, her gray eyes wide with horror.

She stares at Lisa's chest wanting to see if she's breathing, desperately hoping she hadn't killed her, it took a while for her to concentrate and realize Lisa's okay. Badly beaten but okay. And when she rolled on her stomach and sat on her heels, panting and groaning.

Reyna felt such immense relief that she shivered and released a shuddered breath. Lisa turned to glance at her, Reyna winced. God, she did that. Her stomach roils, tight with tension. She must have seen the horrified look on Reyna's face.

To Reyna's surprise Lisa tried to laugh,and then decided against it, when pain lanced through her, groaning she tried to wipe the blood on her brow. There was blood on her split lips, she must really hurt all over.

That thought reminded Reyna that Lisa gave as much as she got, because she hurt all over as well, and Reyna has more than a few bruises here and there. A black eye and a split lip is definitely not a good look for a birthday girl.

“Good fight Reyna. Girl, you've definitely changed, looking forward to your induction.” Lisa said good naturedly. Reyna smiled at her and tasted blood in her mouth.

“You too and thank you.” They both stand up, Mary comes to stand between them, she holds both their hands, then raises Reyna's hand up to the crowds. Declaring her the winner.

“Miss Reyna Marlene Williams, your new champion!” And the crowds cheered. Reyna and Lisa hug each other, before she goes to stand before their Queen, and her mother to collect the reward.

There was no emotion on Cassandra's face, but Reyna could tell she was proud of her, for a few seconds she luxuriated in that feeling.

Then instantly Reyna remembered that she's happy because her mother was proud of her for beating someone up, for no apparent reason other than her own amusement. Reyna deflated and felt shame for being an ordinary young woman who still seeks for her mother's approval.