“No time like the present. Follow me to the arena.”
Kai wasn’t sure he liked the way Makoa grinned, like he knew something Kai didn’t, but he didn’t argue. And despite his mother’s, Oleen’s, and Hollyn’s urgings for him not to go, Kai followed after Makoa, ready to smash the asshole’s face to bits.
Yet, as Kai entered the arena, a massive crowd waited in the seats like they’d bought admission to the Friday nigh fight. This is exactly what Kai was trying to avoid. He didn’t want to be the king of Hanupali City. But his pride wasn’t going to let him lose to Makoa, not after he’d dared to insult Hollyn. The guy needed to get what was coming to him.
Makoa turned back into the King as he addressed the cheering crowd. “People of Hanupali City, this would-be usurper has challenged me to a duel!” The crowd went insane at the announcement. Makoa turned his attention toward Kai as he continued, “Let’s see if the pretty boy can fight as well as he can talk! Choose your weapon!”
Kai glanced around the arena and saw multiple weapon choices hanging from four different racks. He saw swords, whips, chains, something with a large, metal, spiked ball on the end of a wooden handle. Yet, the minute his gaze fell on the three-pointed trident, he knew it was his weapon. He didn’t waste time, crossing to it in four strides and lifting it from its rack and turning back to face Makoa. Makoa’s look of disgust faded only once he lifted a sword and swung the blade through the air with a few acrobatic moves.
The crowd cheered once more.
With new determination, Kai gripped the trident, feeling the strength of the weapon in his hands, but he had a sinking feeling this was not going to be an easy fight. It was likely going to be the death of one of them.
