Hell’s Consort

"I will allow the ex-concubine to challenge the Empress to defend the Feline Kingdom." The Vampire King's blessing to Luna and Catriona's duel rang with righteous conviction. "But I can't take responsibility for what my Empress would do to destroy you, Lady Catriona."

  "I had this thirst for blood in a different way today so I would gladly take it." Luna had accepted Catriona's challenge with Apollyon's acknowledgment. 

Based on the smirk on his handsome face, Apollyon was looking forward to a catfight.

Cederic had that secret smile on his face because he knew this was going to be a good fight.

Luna remembered that the military general had witnessed her and Catriona's first meeting when she had to defend Lady Clarence.

Hmm, she suddenly recalled that Catriona never played fair.

She pursed her lips.

Catriona would use any tactic at her disposal, even manipulating others to blame her.

Luna had to be cautious in her movements, not letting  her guard down. 

Of course, Apollyon was curious how well she could engage someone in combat.

The Vampire King had first-hand experience of her capabilities as a warrior, but that was child's play compared to situations where Luna had to fight to the death, risking her life with no second thoughts.

She had her share of fighting off monsters and demons, which Apollyon hadn't seen yet.

Now that Luna had no High Priestess magic to fall back on, she only had to rely on her strength.

She bounced on her tip-toe as she shifted from foot-to-foot, warming up her muscles.

She craned her neck and stretched her arms.

Luna couldn't wait to show off in front of her husband.

Perhaps, that would turn him on.

Her husband was weird like that, and he noticed little things about her.

Cederic didn't need to bet told twice as the umpire. "Fight with honor, gentle---I mean ladies—and don't show mercy to your opponent."

"How about the rules, Cederic?" Luna touched her fingertips together as she addressed the military general. "Is it still similar to King Apollyon and King Panterra's sword duel?" 

"Yes, it will still be the same except the fact that you aren't going to use any horses." Blinking at Luna's tone, Cederic glanced at her with mirth. "I think both of you aren't used to control destriers, so that was out of the question."

"Repeat the rules to Catriona, Cederic." Luna saw the other woman stiffen as she continued while examining her cuticles, looking bored. "Make sure the dog hears it so that it would understand and wouldn't attempt to cheat." 

It came as a shock for Luna that Catriona didn't argue when she insulted her.

It must be because Apollyon had watched the odd exchange with narrowed eyes, which might scare Catriona.

After all, she couldn't throw a derogatory remark on the Empress.

The ex-concubine's scowl only darkened further.

The military general reread the rules as per her requests, and Catriona nodded slowly as she gave her pointed glares of hatred and hostility.

At this point, it was funny how they hated each other's guts.

There was something about Catriona's entire existence that rubbed her the wrong way. 

From a distance, Apollyon picked up the sword he had used to injure Panterra and toss it at her to catch.

Her husband had thrown the sword perfectly in the air, and she was attentive enough to catch it by the hilt as it whirled in the air.

His 'Sword of the Black Rose' still had the Feline King's blood dripping on its tip as Luna used the sharp blade to tear the skirts of her gown layered with petticoats.

There was a collective surprise she heard from the crowd.

Now, she felt light and free, but now the spectators had seen how her ivory legs looked like.

Luna saw Apollyon scowling at her exposed skin in disapproval.

She didn't care anymore if he had a problem with it.

He didn't say anything, but Luna knew he was mad as hell.

"Ladies." Cederic caught her gaze and then turned to Catriona, making sure they were ready before they started.

Their sword duel was different from the Kings because they weren't wearing armor and shields.

It will be too heavy for a female to carry and might prove more disadvantageous because they weren't used to it.

Nevertheless, this battle would be more dangerous and risky because they lacked protection.

Luna wasn't afraid to be impaled by Catriona since she would heal quickly compared to the shapeshifter. 

The military general raised both of his arms as he bellowed from the top of his lungs, "On guard."

Catriona held her sword ready in her hands.

Luna charged like she was an enraged bull in a bullfight.

She didn't hear any cheers from the crowd, but she didn't bother to care about why they were subdued by the sight of two women fighting with a sword.

Perhaps, they haven't witnessed two women act like a savage berserker. 

They would probably fear her for this display as it can break a man's fragile ego.

Luna's fierce thrust of her sword gave Catriona no choice but to waste her moves in retreat.

Her leashed, powerful movements were a jarring contrast to the leopard grace of Catriona.

Catriona was in a constant defense position as her every swing only consisted of deflections against Luna's relentless blows.

Luna was used to fighting with a sword, for she had trained for a long time with her Amazon tribe warriors compared to Catriona, who had spent her life, fighting battles with her shape-shifting abilities.

It was too early to say that she would win this battle based on Catriona's poor attempts.

Luna almost had the urge to laugh out of nowhere since she knew in her gut that she was an easy kill.

She could prolong this as long as she wants if only to humiliate her challenger more.

Luna kept swinging while the leopard kept retreating.

She had the chance to whack Catriona on her ear in a flat-sided blow, which would probably leave the shape shifter's smug ears ringing for a fortnight, keeping her unbalanced.

  The sword dropped from Catriona's hand, and the shock sent her tripping over her own feet and fell to the ground.

Her blade landed only inches from her fingertips.

  Luna drew her sword to face Catriona, pressing the bloody tip of her sword to her throat.

She still had enough conscience not to treat this as a contest to the death the moment she saw her trembling eyes.

"Shall you yield, Catriona?" Luna said, her voice was as sharp as her steel blade.

The ex-concubine's desperate gaze was drawn back to Apollyon as if she was asking her husband to save her from her ruins.

After a moment of stalling, Luna had had enough.

Why can't Catriona just admit defeat?

She pressed her sword on Catriona's throat, drawing blood on her skin. 

Her face had turned ashen as her breath bursting in and out.

The challenger finally lifted her exposed palms in a time-honored signal of surrender.

"I yield." Her voice was hoarse as if Luna's sword had penetrated her throat which made her choke in her own blood.

Her own pride.

Panterra's pride.

The Feline Kingdom's honor was in tatters, six feet under the ground.