Kingmaker's Kings (Kingmakers of Kingsbury Book 1)

by Rachel Angel

  Honeywell raised his fist. “Begin!”

  Poor Merck. I almost felt sorry for him. He was so mesmerized, he didn’t even know what hit him. I didn’t even need to use full force. A simple, well placed blow to the chin and he was on his back.

  “First round to Kingsbury,” Honeywell announced as two other contestants were called to the center of the field.

  Reggie took the field and easily beat his opponent, as did Axel and Flamish. Each winning contestant waited on the sidelines, waiting for their turn to fight again, this time against a winning opponent.

  “Prepare for round two,” Honeywell called out. “Violet! Reginald!”

  We walked to the center and faced each other.

  “I don’t want to have to hurt you, Violet. I’ve never struck a woman in my life, and I certainly don’t enjoy the prospect of doing so now.”

  “I’m tougher than I look, Reggie,” I said. “Hit me with all you’ve got.”

  “Begin!” Honeywell called out.

  Reggie lunged at me and pulled me into a tight hold that didn’t leave me with much room to move. His hold tightened, but I managed to raise my heel back and into his leg.

  He buckled unto the blow and we fell to the ground. He offered no blows but seemed intent on simply wrestling me until he could pin me down and have me abandon the fight. But surrendering was something I would never do.

  But I fought. I fought as hard as I could, hitting him in the ribs, in the gut, even in the face. Caught off guard as my fist met his nose, he fell back and I quickly got on top of him, straddling him.

  “Still afraid to hit a woman?” I said, taunting him.

  He huffed and quickly threw me on my back and straddling me. His pelvis was against mine, pushing into me and I could feel him.

  The determination to beat me seemed to wane as his eyes became amorous and filled with desire.

  Holding my hands above my head, he pressed his pelvis harder against mine. In the distance I could hear the murmur of the crowd. Their chants of encouragement in the fight became part confusion, part disdain and a good measure of arousal.

  “What are you doing?” I said between clenched teeth.

  He seemed shocked by his own action. “Damn it, woman,” he said. He brought his forehead against mine. “Look at what you’re doing to me. I’m so fucking hard, I can barely move except to push harder and harder into you.”

  “Is this a fight or what?” a spectator called out.

  “Make love to the poor wench already,” another one urged.

  “This is obscene,” a young mother cried out as she grabbed her child’s hand and dragged him out of the arena.

  Although I was also aroused by Reggie’s body against mine, I had a mission to accomplish, and I wasn’t going to let a little lust get in the way.

  With just enough force, I brought my knee up into his family jewels. Letting out a pain-filled cry, he rolled off of me, while the crowd groaned their own pain.

  Before Reggie could recover, I stood up and put my foot to his chest, pinning him to the ground. Victorious, I raised my fist before Honeywell even had a chance to declare me the winner.

  Chapter 20

  Violet

  Flamish was my next opponent. I knew how much he disliked me. He didn’t even try to hide it. He stomped his way to the center of the field without even glancing my way. Hard determination was evident in his gait, in his clenched fists and, when I caught up with him and faced him, I saw that resolute determination in his eyes.

  He was out for blood. Unlike my other opponents, he clearly had no qualms about hurting me. No. He seemed to relish the possibility.

  His hand was already at the hilt of his sword. This was going to get ugly.

  “Begin!” Honeywell shouted.

  Though his right hand remained on his sword, his left hand went for his dagger which he quickly threw at me. It flew by my face, almost slicing my ear off.

  No stabbing, Honeywell had said. I glared at Flamish. He wasn’t playing by the rules. He drew his sword, forcing me to draw mine. With both hands, he raised his sword above his head and prepared to come down hard on me.

  I brought my sword up to block the blow. It took all the strength to keep his blade from striking me. He swung again, this time sweeping around my left, inclined on slicing me in two if I didn’t block him.

  He was out for blood. That much was clear. He swung again, this time aiming to lop my head off before I blocked him.

  I heard the disgruntled grumbling from the crowd. Surely they saw that he wasn’t following the rules. Amidst the grumbling, however, there were a few cheers; bloodthirsty spectators who wanted a gory show.

  Flamish swung again. This time the tip of his sword cut through the sleeve of my shirt. Blood soaked the dark fabric.

  Had I worn white, would the crowd notice the blood? Would Honeywell? Would anyone?

  It didn’t matter now either way. Flamish was aiming to kill me and it was all I could do to stay alive. I had no opportunity to strike out at him. He was too fast, and his blows too murderous.

  As I blocked another swing, he reached under his shirt and pulled out a small dagger. Before I could release by sword from the hold he had on it, he plunged the blade deep into my shoulder.

  I let out a scream as he twisted the blade.

  From the corner of my eye, I could see the agitation of the princes on the sidelines.

  Avery and Axel were standing, ready to come to me.

  I looked at Flamish, waiting for his next move. But his eyes were on the sideline. I followed his gaze to find he was looking intently at Barnaby, almost signaling him.

  Understanding the phantom signal, Barnaby pull his sword out and turned to run it through Lach’s chest. The crowd was instantly on its feet, while Honeywell, stunned by the events, stood gaping.

  Lying in a pool of blood, poor Lach had his hands over his chest, trying to stem the blood. Avery and Axel hurried to his side, but it was too late.

  After only a few brief moments, Lach fell back, lifeless.

  Grinning, Flamish brought his attention back to me and once again raised his sword. I tried to lift my sword, but the wound on my shoulder was too deep. Too painful.

  “I told you to stay out of this competition, little woman,” Flamish said through clenched teeth. “Too bad. You certainly were a pretty little thing.”

  He leaned in to strike a blow and I was helpless to stop him. I closed my eyes, waiting for the end. I heard the clank of blade on blade, and the heavy breathing of battle.

  Opening my eyes, I saw two figures in the bright sun, fighting.

  “Axel,” I said, finally getting a good look at him.

  Blow after blow, Flamish and Axel fought it out.

  Getting my bearings, I stood back in time to see Avery and a few other princes, and even Kingsbury knights chasing after Barnaby, who seemed to be on a killing spree.

  As I stepped back again, I felt an arm grab me from behind. I looked back to see Gerr, his pock-marked face grinning at me. He was a plain-faced man, with no striking features, mud colored hair and oily skin.

  “What are you doing?” I cried out.

  He pulled me away from the field that had suddenly become so chaotic and out of control.

  In the distance, I could hear Honeywell giving orders to bring order back to the competition, but no one seemed to be listening to him.

  Gerr continued to drag me away, pulling me out of the arena entirely. I fought, trying to hit him hard enough to force him to let me go. But his hold was like a vice. As if that weren’t enough, he pulled a blade and held it under my chin.

  “Keep quiet if you know what’s good for you.”

  “Being with you is certainly not good for me,” I said. “Let me go!”

  He pushed the blade to my skin.

  “Why are you doing this?” I said more softly, hoping to reason with him. “This is a fair competition. I’m just in it like all you guys.”

  Saying nothing, he cont
inued to drag me away.

  “What are you doing?” I cried out. “Where are you taking me?”

  “Ah, little girl,” he said with an ugly grin. “Far, far away. I’m taking you where no one will ever find you.”

  “Why are you doing this” I said. “Gerr! Gerr, listen to me.”

  He lightly ran the blade under my chin, breaking the skin and leaving a light sting.

  “You don’t get it, do you?” Gerr said. “You have no business becoming Kingmaker. Not now. Not ever. By the time they find you, a new Kingmaker will have been named.

  His declaration pushed me to fight harder. Despite the pain under my chin, I knew I had to break free. I kicked him in the shin, but he retaliated by gripping my wounded shoulder, digging his fingers in.

  The pain was like nothing I had ever known, and after a moment of dizziness, I steadied myself and continued to fight.

  “It’s time to put an end to this,” he said with gruff determination. Without further warning, he smacked me on the side of the face with his free hand.

  Stunned, I just stared straight in front of me, trying to understand what had just happened. And then he struck again.

  It was more than I could take. Everything went black.

  *****

  Violet and the Princes will return in the next Kingmakers of Kingsbury Book:

  Kingmaker’s Kiss (Kingmakers of Kingsbury #2)

  https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B084BZYW28

  and

  Kingmaker’s Kill (Kingmakers of Kingsbury #3)

  https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B084BT8154

  Heartbreak Falls Series

  With a name like Heartbreak Falls, one didn't expect to find love at the new town I had moved to courtesy of my new stepfamily aka Mom's new husband and his sons.

  Something was up with my new rich stepfather, his sons, and what happened to their last stepmother. Something was up with the entire town, which my stepfamily seem to run. Along with the school where my stepbrothers reigned as cruel princes. All 3 of them were known as The Heartbreakers. Two were twins and my age, and then there was Tristan, the oldest. Gorgeous but god-awful hateful to me. What was up?

  I was about to find out...if I lived long enough.

  **Heartbreak Falls is a RH Dark Bully Romance and mystery for 18 and up. It is YA/NA and has themes of bullying and sex. If that's fine with you, then dig in! Bully Me Not is book 1 of 5 and contains a cliffhanger.

  Bully Me Not (Nov. 1, 2019)

  https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07XNQV36Q

  Break Me Not (Jan. 14, 2020)

  https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07XX7HZZZ

  Excerpt

  DIAMONDS AND DRAGONS

  Now Available

  Diamonds and Dragons

  Cruel Princes of Wyvern All-Boys Academy #1

  By

  Rachel Angel

  We are The Four Princes from The Four Kingdoms of Wyvern.

  Razor is the Red Prince from the Kingdom of RoseCliff.

  Jasper is the Green Prince from the Emerald Realms.

  Tar is the Black Prince from the Dark Forests.

  And Flint is the Silver Prince from the Metal Lands.

  We are princes one day who will rule our kingdoms in Wyvern. Right now, we are the Kings of Wyven School for Boys, a school known for the toughest training of rulers and heads of states to be in order to prepare them for the cruel, cruel world we know of, in the kingdoms of Wyvern.

  On a typical day at Wyvern School for Boys, one student or another gets beaten badly, pranked on so viciously, that they end up seriously injured or close to death. It is the way of Wyvern. It is how kingdoms determine the next heir and successors to thrones.

  It is a vicious game. One of survival. One of rules.

  So when they let in Allotrope Free from some nowhere kingdom, we felt affronted. Assaulted with disrespect.

  First of all, Allotrope is not a boy, but this girl, who is much too pretty and gorgeous to be in a school full of boys.

  Second, she is the last thing anyone would think could be a ruler or head of state. She is an orphan.

  Wyvern School for Boys is letting her in as a statement from one of our mothers, who is the ruling Queen of one of our kingdoms. Girls can grow up to become rulers too.

  Kingdoms are at sake. Real wars are being fought. The last thing we need is a girl like Allotrope to make everything we stand for, a whole big joke.

  So, when it comes time to eliminate a student at Wyvern School for Boys, Allotrope should be the first to go, and we Four Princes, will make sure she goes.

  ****

  Call me Allotrope...Ally for short. When I received a royal decree from Queen Jade of the Emerald Realms to attend school at Wyvern School for Boys, I thought it was a prank pulled by my friend William who apprentices with me at the Blacksmith. There was no way I could attend such an elite school just for kings-to-be.

  But it was a Royal Decree, and if I don't obey the Decree, there was a threat of death to me and to all I hold dear, which probably means William and his parents, Bilbo and Kate, the blacksmith and his wife, the alchemist, whom had let me stayed with them since I became an orphan.

  To keep them safe. To keep me from losing my head, I packed up what little belongings I had and enrolled at Wyvern School for Boys.

  Everything at Wyvern School for Boys was meant to intimidate. Being the only girl at a school of incredibly handsome boys, especially the Four Princes, was intimidating.

  Not to mention the cutthroat competition that literally cuts students from the school.

  I'm stuck in a hard place...either get killed by defying the Royal Decree and also get everyone I cared for, killed. Or stick it out at Wyvern School for Boys, despite all the bullying and cutthroat games Wyvern has in store for me.

  Of course, there is no choice...I must survive Wyvern School for Boys, or die trying.

  Did I mention this is a school for Dragons, too? I just have to watch out for the fire.

  ***Diamonds and Dragons is book 1 of the Cruel Princes of Wyvern Series for mature teens and up (17+) and is a paranormal dark fantasy bully romance reverse harem that will contain steamy and scorching scenes, dark fantasy elements, and consensual sex. This is a high school NA series.

  ☐☐☐●☐☐◆☐

  ●

  Four pairs of heavy soled boots echoed down the cold stoned hall that led to the grand salon. A sense of urgency sounded with every step; a foreboding sense of doom. At the tall wood door to the grand salon they stopped to look at one another, reluctant and apprehensive, but determined.

  “We have no choice,” one of them muttered as he raised the heavy iron knocker and let it fall to the wood.

  “Enter,” a feminine yet strong voice called out.

  They filed in and lined up before the Queen.

  On a high-backed wrought iron throne with a golden cushion, she sat, her back straight, her lips in a solemn line, and her eyes inquisitive. “What brings you?”

  “It is the border,” one said.

  “There has been a breach,” the other added.

  “It is The Border,” the third muttered.

  She cocked a brow as her lips tightened. Nodding her understanding, she rose.

  “For centuries, we dragons have protected The Border. This land between the human lands and the dragon lands, has been the buffer from the deadly creatures that want to descend and destroy us. We’ve been fortunate; these wicked creatures are the natural enemy of both the dragons and humans. We’ve worked well with humans in controlling these creatures. For centuries The Border has been co-governed by the humans and the dragons.”

  “As you would imagine, this was highly unexpected. We’ve relied on our relations with humans for so long, we’ve never considered re-evaluating the situation.”

  “Clearly, we will need to reinforce the border. The threat to our kingdom, to our very way of life is at stake.”

  “I realize that,” she replied as she gazed off into the distance, her eye
s focusing on nothing in particular.

  “Forgive me for saying so, but you don’t seem very surprised by the news we bring.”

  “I suppose not.”

  The four men looked down at their heavy boots.

  “Here is what we will need to do,” Queen Jade of Rose Cliff said calmly. “We will send our elite patrol. The best of the best from Wyvern Academy. But we will have a human on the team too. One who is strong enough to stand up to, fit in with, and challenge the boys. I propose something unprecedented.” She turned to them, her chin high and her eyes shining with pride. “We will send in a female human; our first to Wyvern.”

  All eyes widened then quickly narrowed as they took in what she’d just said.

  “But…” one of the men muttered.

  “A female?” another one managed.

  “But, we can’t do that,” the third argued. “They are simply not strong enough.”

  “Really?” she said, stepping down to come face him. “Not strong enough?”

  Taking a step back, he said, “A million pardons, your Majesty, but…”

  “I stand here, a mere female, and yet you cower before me. What does that tell you?”

  “You are an exception. Few females could do what you do. Few females would want to.”

  “Nonsense. They are capable of anything they put their minds to.”

  “But…”

  “We cannot afford to allow more than half of the kingdom’s population to remain passive. Our increasing inability to defeat the darkness that continually presses down on us is that we don’t train our females to fight as we do our boys. We don’t allow them to learn the skills that we so readily teach the boys. Think about it; those creatures out there don’t care if they fight a male or female. They are ruthless and bloodthirsty and will kill regardless of the gender of their opponent.” She looked at them, her gaze going from one pair of eyes to the next.