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Her eyes are wider than I’ve ever seen. “He’s the reigning champion of the competition. Zayn has won ever since he was a second-year. He’s like four times as big as you.”
The room spins around me. “What?”
“Okay,” Mr. Brant says. “Everyone settle down!”
I glance over at Bash, at his end of the table. His brows are furrowed, his nostrils flared, and his face is red. He’s glowering at Mrs. Middlebrooks like he wants to rip her to shreds.
The faculty finishes the announcements and dismisses us. Everyone is still in a mini-uproar over Middlebrooks’s announcement. People are whispering and looking at me. Bash appears to be growing more pissed by the moment.
When I make it out into the hallway, he waves me over. “I’m going to kill her! Forget what you read in that book because I’m taking them both out if your father doesn’t put a stop to this insanity!”
“Careful what you say. The wrong person overhears you say that, and it’s treason.”
He hits a fist into his palm. “I don’t care! How dare she?”
“It’s only a competition. That guy isn’t going to kill me. Humiliate me, maybe. But that’s nothing I can’t handle.”
Mrs. Middlebrooks passes by. She looks at me. “Good luck.”
Bash lunges for her, and I grab his arm and pull back with all my strength. “Don’t! She’s not worth it.”
He turns to me, his expression contorted in anger. “She can’t get away with this!”
“She’s trying to show me what she’s capable of. I’ll show her I don’t care. Then I win.”
“Not when she pits you against Zayn Landon! He has to be at least twice my size. Middlebrooks is way out of line!”
“I’ll talk to my dad. Or Mr. Brant. They’ll assign me to someone at my level. Then she’ll be the one cowering in humiliation after telling everyone I would fight him.”
“I’d still like to put her in her place.” He cracks his knuckles.
“She isn’t worth it. You’d go to jail. She’s engaged to the king! I want you here with me.”
He holds my gaze. “And I want you alive.”
I hold my head high. “I survived Earwyn and her dogfish tormenting me and leaving me in the woods, didn’t I? There was nobody on the sidelines making sure they followed any rules. I can deal with Zayn and a regulated sparring match.”
“It isn’t the same. Not even close.”
“Or maybe this is fate’s way of preparing me for the inevitable.” For the day I’ll have to kill my dad.
Bash shakes his head. “Not a chance. She’s way out of line. The merwoman needs to be stopped. What’s next?”
“I’ll talk to my dad. He can fix this.”
“Unless he doesn’t want to give the appearance of trouble in his relationship. He might feel the need to back up her decision.”
I fold my arms. “No way. I’m his daughter.”
“This is politics, and he’s already fighting an uphill battle. A lot of people are still mad about him replacing Tiberias.”
“So? That faction is over since your uncle died and your aunt is in the castle prison for life.”
He starts to say something, but a merman in a tuxedo comes over to me and bows. “Your majesty, the king requests your presence for dessert.”
I glance over at Bash. “See? Perfect timing. I’ll speak with him over dessert.”
The servant bows again. “I will drive you to join the king and his fiancée.”
“His fiancée?”
“Yes, your highness. Please come with me.”
Bash and I exchange a worried glance. He cracks his knuckles again.
