The little shit refused to look at me but crawled away like he could find an exit behind the hay bales.
That set me off. I could have broken his neck when I grabbed him, but I’d given him a chance to explain himself. If this coward couldn’t even face me, he deserved a serious beating. “You little fucker.” In a fast movement I clamped down on his ankle, pulled him back in a harsh jerk, and got on top of him. My arm pulled back and my fist formed as I aimed for his cheek.
It wasn’t a clean blow because he turned his head and the hoodie came between my hand and his face. The boy still screamed and sobbed like he’d never been beaten before.
“Shut the fuck up.” Clamping my hand under his chin, I turned his head and pushed away the hoodie and all the damp hair that covered his face. With his eyes squeezed tight and him wailing, his face was so scrunched up that I couldn’t figure out how old he was, but there was no sign of a beard
“What’s your name?”
“Don’t hurt me.”
A chill ran down my spine. That voice was very light, even for a boy.
“Look at me, boy.”
One eye opened, revealing he had brown eyes.
“Open your fucking eyes when I tell you to.” I lifted my fist, threatening to hit him again.
His eyes shone with fear when he opened them up wide. Seeing the boy under me with his face free from hair and hoodie I lowered my arm. He was so feminine with his long lashes and perfectly shaped eyebrows.
“Please don’t hurt me,” he repeated.
“What’s your name?”
He swallowed hard and looked away as if searching for someone to help him.
Pressing one hand down on his chest, I sneered low, “Tell me your name.”
It was then that I registered something was wrong. My hand was in the middle of his chest, but something felt odd. Moving my hand to the right, I paled.
This is no fucking boy.
I scrambled to get off her and was hit with immense guilt. I had thrown and jerked a woman around. Shit, I had punched her. In the Northlands, a man’s touching a woman without permission was enough to get him killed. I had just signed my own death sentence.
“What the fuck? I didn’t know you were a woman. Who are you?”
Now that I was off her, the woman pushed her legs to move back and curled up with her knees to her chest and her arms wrapped around her.
“I’m not going to hurt you,” I promised and held up my palms to show that I meant it.
She was staring at me like I was a monster from a horror movie.
“Do you understand what I’m saying?” I spoke slow and clear. “Nod, if you understand.”
She gave a single nod.
“What is your name and how do you know my sister?”
There was a spark of recognition in her eyes. “Tyton?”
I jerked my head back in surprise. “You know my name?”
“Yes.”
“I haven’t met you before. I would have remembered. Who is your husband?” This woman was my age and it confused me since I couldn’t remember her having a tournament.
“My name is Devina.”
