by Cree Storm
“And you are a fucking pathetic moron who doesn’t have a damn working brain cell in your fool head, you piece of scum,” Jewel yelled out as he tried to fight his way through the wall of guards who were holding him back, trying to keep him safe.
Nicu turned his gaze on Jewel and his eyes filled with hatred and disgust. “Once I defeat Ezra, I’ll be coming for you, you worthless, pathetic, snail. And when I finally get my hands on you, I will make you suffer greatly.”
Orion took a few more steps forward, his gaze locked on Nicu as he stated calmly, “As Ezra’s Regal for over two years, as well as just being a vampire, you should know there is no challenging the current Re for position. The Re is chosen by our people and I don’t think there is a man, woman, or child in our world who would cast a vote for you, Nicu. So tell me, what is this interruption really about, because I know challenging Ezra isn’t it.”
Nicu fully turned to face Orion and gave him an evil smile. “You’re right, asshat. I came for you. You stole my job and you cheated in our match yesterday. I have come to reclaim my place as Regal, serving our new, rightful Re when he takes the throne, and to kill you and your useless little mate. You and Ezra disgust me. Taking male mates is against our laws.”
“It has never been against our laws, Nicu,” Ezra replied.
“Yes, it is. When the vampire race began, our creator deemed it so. I know. He told me. He showed me the writings. The real writings,” Nicu argued.
“That’s a lie and a total crock of shit!” Jewel screamed. “And seeing as my brother’s male mate is the creator of the vampires, I should know!”
A collective gasp ran through the room quicker than a wildfire. Nelson knew it wasn’t from Jewel’s declaration about homosexuality in their world, the vampires all knew what Nicu was saying about male mates wasn’t true. There were many same sex mating’s in the vampire world and no one thought anything of them. It was the declaration about Rune, his fairy brother-in-law which got their attention.
Not too many people knew the truth of Rune’s creation of the species, but they did think that their creator had abandoned them, leaving them for dead, and it was only out of the guidance of Volak the first Re, that their race survived.
Now that the cat was out of the bag that Ezra was now family to the vampire creator, and the knowledge of who he actually was, they would have to warn Jewel’s brother Kerrick and their other mate Dane, so they could keep a better watch on Rune.
Nelson didn’t think the majority of vampires would do anything, and the ones who might, would change their tune when they found out that Rune had not abandoned them, but set them free to rescue them from the evil fuck, Fallon. Then they too, would understand why he had done it and would hold no ill will for the fairy. But Nelson was sure there would be some who would still be angry and want to get revenge on Rune.
“No, it just proves that you are not worthy to be the Re’s mate,” Nicu sneered.
“Enough!” Orion shouted, causing everyone to go silent.
Once Nicu looked to Orion again, Orion continued, “You came here to challenge me again, didn’t you?”
“Yes. I deserve to be Regal, not you.”
Orion smiled as his eyes filled with happiness. The move taking Nicu off guard, and he tilted his head in confusion as he stared dumbly at Orion.
His mate looked up into the stands and turned in a complete circle as he addressed the crowd. “Is there anyone here who wishes to battle for position of Regal to our Re? Anyone? Step forward now.”
When no one moved, or made a sound, Orion turned back to face Nicu. “It looks like it’s just you and me who want the position. So I challenge you to fight for the job, Nicu, but this time, no outside help, no weapons, and no trickery. If you step into this ring to fight me, then we go old school.”
“Fine by me. I don’t need anything to help me beat your ass, shithead. I can do it all on my own. Mano y Mano,” Nicu replied.
“Yes, we will be hand to hand, but I said old school, as in the original fight that our great leader Volak, rest his soul, competed in in the first Ceremonies. We go back to the way all the battles were originally fought.”
Nicu’s eyes widened and filled with shock and fear as a collective gasp rang out again. Nelson had no idea what his mate was talking about, but from Nicu and everyone else’s reactions, Nelson didn’t like it. Jael stepping forward to question Orion didn’t help matters any, either.
“Orion, you can’t mean that. You know what that means,” Jael said, his voice cracking slightly.
“Orion, my friend, are you sure of what you’re saying?” Ezra asked, as he moved to Orion’s side, his voice was filled with concern.
Orion looked to Ezra and nodded. “Yes, Ezra. I know exactly what I am saying. It is the only way I will feel like I deserve the position. After yesterday’s fiasco, I have been filled with regret and worry that our people will question my right to be Regal. You know as well as I do that winning by forfeit isn’t winning at all,” Orion explained.
The two men stood staring at one another for a few moments before Ezra gave Orion a tight nod, then turned around and looked at Nicu. “The challenge has been made, do you accept it?”
“If I win will you accept it?” Nicu asked.
“Yes,” Ezra replied simply, but then added, “But I know you won’t win. So, do you accept Orion’s challenge for position of Regal to the Re?”
Nicu stood tall and proud as he answered, “I do.”
“Okay then. Let the battle begin. Clear the ring and bring the leather bindings!” Ezra ordered.
Leather bindings? What the hell was about to happen? Nelson thought to himself, but before he could think any more, Orion wrapped his arms around him and pulled their bodies close. “I love you with all that I am. You know that, right, Starlight?”
“Orion, you’re scaring me. What is this battle you’re talking about and why do I feel like grabbing you and running like hell?”
Orion gave him a beautiful, loving smile and kissed him tenderly. “My mate, always so worried about me, and never afraid to try and protect me. It will all be okay, Nelson, I promise. Please believe in me.”
Nelson cupped Orion’s burned cheek and Orion pressed into his hand. “I always believe in you, Sexy man. You’re the man I love. The man I live for. The man I would kill and die for. There is no other in all of creation who I believe in more than you. To prove it to you, as much as I am worried, but only because I don’t know what is to come, not your abilities, I won’t fight you on this, and I’ll go join Jewel.”
“Thank you, my love. But promise me something first. You and my Cuddle bunny.”
“Of course, Orion, what?”
“Cuddles, do you agree?” Orion asked in his mind.
“Like Nelson, I don’t know what’s about to happen and I’m worried about you, but I do trust in you and believe in you, my strong mate. So yes, I promise too.”
“No matter what happens, you will not use your magic of any kind to interfere with the fight, and if anyone, and I mean anyone else, tries to, you will use your powers to stop them from interfering. I need this to be just between Nicu and me. You heard him, he is the one who started that fire intending to kill Ezra, but I saved him causing these disgusting, disfiguring scars that have affected me for a long time, until you came into my life. I need to do this my two little loves. I need this,” Orion pleaded for their understanding.
“Then you have our word, love,” they both replied inside their minds, sending the words to Orion. “We won’t let anyone interfere, mate. No one. We give you our solemn vow,” Nelson added.
“Thank you,” Orion said and leaned in, kissing Nelson again.
Ezra held up his hands, silencing the crowd once more. Nelson noticed Ezra now held two long, thick leather straps in his hand. Nelson walked with Jael beside him, the Imperial guard not looking so happy, as they made their way to the stands, so he could join Jewel in Ezra’s box.
Once they were seated and th
e place was quiet, Ezra announced, “Orion and Nicu, step forward. Everyone else leave the fighting arena and lock all the gates. Once I leave, the last gate will be locked but the match does not begin until I give the signal. Is that clear?”
Both Nicu and Orion nodded.
Ezra continued, “If either of you starts before my signal, you are disqualified and you each know what that means. For those of you who may not be familiar with what is about to happen, this fight is called the Bástroid. There is to be no outside help in any way. No one is allowed to enter the arena until the fight is over. Anyone caught trying to interfere will be put to death. There are no magic, powers, or weapons allowed. The opponents must fight using their own skills. Two men enter, one man leaves. This is a battle to the death.”
“What?” Nelson cried.
CHAPTER 17
“The Bástroid? What the hell does that mean?” Nelson heard Jewel ask from beside him, but he was too lost in Ezra’s words. Two men enter, one man leaves. This is a battle to the death.
“It’s Celtic. It literally means Death Match,” Jael answered in a whisper, and Nelson could hear the fear in the man’s voice.
Nelson quickly looked around at all in attendance and saw that all eyes were on the center of the ring as everyone sat on the edge of their seats, transfixed by what was about to happen. Everything was so still and quiet, it was as if everyone held their breath.
“Nicu, you have accepted the challenge Orion has chosen, so it is your right to choose the first foot,” Ezra said.
Nicu smirked as he faced Orion then lifted his right foot, outstretched it, and placed it on the ground between them. Immediately Orion smiled and Nicu’s smirk fell as his eyes went wide and he drew his foot back.
“Too late, Nicu. As you know, first choice, is the only choice in the Bástroid. There is no going back. Return your right foot to the field,” Ezra instructed.
“What does that mean? Why does Orion look so happy and Nicu looks like he’s going to be sick?” Nelson asked.
“Because Orion is the challenger and picked the challenge, Nicu gets the choice of which foot is to be bound,” Jael explained.
“I got that but what does it mean?”
“One foot and one hand will be tied to their opponent. Nicu stepped in with his right foot first, which means the opposite hand must be bound. Their lefts.”
“And?” Nelson asked anxiously.
“Oh, I get it,” Jewel replied happily.
“What?” Nelson asked as he kept his gaze on his mate.
“They each put out their right foot, inside ankle to inside ankle, see,” Jewel said, and Nelson watched as Ezra knelt and began to bind their feet together.
“Then they will each clasp their left hands in a handshake of thumbs clasped together and the rest of the hand wrapped around the others wrist. Then Ezra will bind those together,” Jael continued.
“I’m still confused. I mean, I understand what you’re saying, but I still don’t get the significance of Nicu’s right foot. And won’t they be able to snap the bindings with their vampire strength?” Nelson asked, as he watched Ezra now begin to bind their left hands together.
“No. Those bands are made of thick leather and have been spelled. Even their super strength will do nothing,” Jael replied.
“And as for Nicu’s right foot,” Jewel said happily. “Right foot means left hand. Orion is right handed, Nicu is left handed.”
Nelson thought about what his friend had said for a moment, then suddenly what Jewel was saying dawned on him. “So, my man will be fighting with his strongest side, while Nicu will be using his weakest.”
“Exactly,” Jael and Jewel said in unison.
“Well, it wouldn’t make a difference anyway, because my man is strong and skilled with both hands. Hell, Ezra could tie both of Orion’s hands behind his back and he would still beat the snot out of that asshole.”
“Very true,” Jael replied with a chuckle at the same time as Jewel said, “Amen, brother.”
They watched as Ezra finished binding Orion and Nicu together, then he stepped away and nodded. He then turned and made his way out of the ring and the guards closed and locked the doors behind him. Now no one could enter or exit until only one man remained alive.
Ezra joined Jewel and Nelson, and stood against the rail, his gaze on Orion and Nicu who remained as they were when Ezra departed. Each man turned their head to look at their Re, waiting for the signal. Ezra raised his right arm high above his head and made a fist, then thrust his hand down like an ax. Immediately Orion threw a right punch, connecting with Nicu’s left temple, and he stumbled backwards.
A collective cheer rang out through the crowd as everyone jumped to their feet, the sound deafening.
As Nicu stumbled, Orion pulled back, countering his move so Nicu wouldn’t tumble to the ground, taking them both down. As Nicu shook his head, Orion didn’t wait for him to regain his bearings, he struck again immediately as he raised his right arm, crossed it over his chest, then backhanded Nicu. The slap was so loud, Nelson could hear it over the crowd.
Orion quickly brought up his left leg and smashed the bottom of his booted foot into Nicu’s right knee. Nicu screamed out in pain as he bent forward and collapsed to the ground. Orion was on him, raining blows to Nicu’s head and chest.
Nicu raised his free hand and punched at anything he could connect with, but in the position they were in, he wasn’t making much of a difference.
Suddenly Orion wrapped his arm around Nicu’s waist and hoisted him to his feet as Orion stood. “I won’t let you go down that easily, you pussy. Now fight!” Orion sneered, then remained still as he lowered his arm to his side.
Nelson’s heart jumped into his throat and his fox began to whimper. “What is he doing? He’s leaving himself open.”
“Orion is the biggest badass I know, Nelson,” Jael said. “There is no way anything Nicu throws at him will even make a dent.”
Nicu raised his hand and threw a punch, nailing Orion in the jaw, making his head snap to the side. Orion seemed unphased as he just turned back and looked at Nicu, a smile on his face.
“Was that it? Is that all you’ve got tough guy? I thought you were some big bad ass motherfucker, Nicu. You’re nothing more than the weakling I have always known you to be. Here, I’ll give you another free shot. Go ahead if you think your man enough. But you better make this one count, because it will be the last time you lay a hand on me,” Orion said in a cold, calm voice.
Nicu raised his fist again and Orion just stood still, but at the last moment, he quickly swept his leg out and wrapped it around Orion’s leg, bending his knee and pulling him forward. As Orion fell, Nicu threw the punch and connected with Orion’s lip, bursting it open and blood began to run down his chin.
With the momentum of Orion falling forward, it was clear to all that Nicu hadn’t put any thought into what he had done before he did it, when the full weight of Orion’s six foot five, two-hundred-and-fifty-pound frame collapsed down on top of Nicu, trapping him beneath.
Orion quickly adjusted his position and wound up driving his knee into Nicu’s groin, making the man scream in agony, as Orion grabbed Nicu by the top of the head, gripping strands of his hair, then pounded Nicu’s head against the hard-packed earth.
Tears could be seen running down Nicu’s temple and it looked like he was losing focus. In what would be a last attempt at saving face, or gaining ground, or whatever Nicu was trying to do, he raised his hand and grabbed Orion’s dick. Orion clenched his jaw and released Nicu’s hair. His mate then began to punch Nicu over and over again with his right fist.
First Nicu’s lip split, then teeth flew from his slack jaw and blood began to spray out of his mouth, covering his face and Orion’s hand. Then a loud snap was heard, and Nelson could see Nicu’s left cheek had caved in, and he knew Orion had shattered the bone.
Nicu’s face swelled as his skin turned black and blue. A sickening wet sound rose up to his ears from the
fight and Nelson’s stomach rolled, threatening to lose its contents. He watched as Orion rained down punch after punch against Nicu’s face and his head rocked back and forth.
Nicu remained motionless, his body limp beneath Orion, as blood poured from his mouth, ears, nose, and eyes, as well as a few other places that the skin had split open. Nicu’s face was no longer recognizable.
Everything around him was still and silent, the only sound coming from the hits in the ring and Orion’s heavy breathing. Then suddenly, he stopped. Orion’s bloody fist was high over his head, his arm cocked back, ready to strike again, but he didn’t.
Slowly Orion lowered his arm and unclenched his fist. He raised himself up, sitting upon Nicu as his chest heaved in and out with each breath. After a few moments, Orion leaned down and placed his ear to Nicu’s lips, then he straightened, and turned to face Ezra. “It is done!” Orion announced, and the arena exploded with sound. Everyone began to stomp their feet as they yelled and clapped, cheering Orion’s victory.
Ezra stood and hurried down the steps with his guards behind him. When he approached the gate, he asked Orion, “Are you one hundred percent sure?”
Orion looked back to Nicu and grabbed a handful of his hair, then raised his arm high. Nicu’s bloody and beaten head held firmly in his grasp.
* * * *
“That wasn’t much of a fight. I mean it was way cool, but over so quickly,” Jewel said, as he and Nelson sat at the table with Ezra, Jewel, Briar, and Helio enjoying their meal.
“Did you really think Nicu had anything on Orion?” Ezra said, then placed the forkful of meat in his mouth.
“Hell no. I knew the guy was a pussy, but he was trained and served in the Imperial Guard. The asshole should have known he was no match for our Orion,” Jewel replied.
“His first mistake was using his right foot,” Ezra said.
