“You don’t know your son very well.” He’s a pompous jerk who would never be interested in a ‘demon’ like me.

“Perhaps.” The corners of her mouth round up slightly. “I think I know you, however.” Octavia snaps her fingers. Bera rushes to stand before her.

The handmaiden bows. “Your Highness.”

“Escort Myla to my family’s tent.” She pats my hand. “I gave your measurements to my smithy. He’s made you a suit of armor. I’d like you to fight in the tourney under the crest of my homeland, the House of Gurith.” She gestures to the tournament field, where the Earl of Kamal battles the Arachnoid. “Whoever kills that demon first, wins the tournament and is named the greatest warrior in Antrum. I think it will be you.”

My heart leaps in my chest. “Yes!” I jump to my feet and stand beside Bera, then pause. I scan the queen’s mask-like face. The wheels of her mind still whirl and churn. “Why’re you helping me?”

“Bera, will you wait for Myla at the base of the stairs?” Her handmaiden nods and steps away.

The Queen curls her finger in my direction. “Come closer.”

I lean forward; Octavia whispers in my ear. “I’m helping you, my dear, because you and I are the only two females in this vicinity who aren’t nit-wits.”

My face stretches into a wide grin. “I like you Octavia.”

“Do you?” A smile dances in her eyes. “Go put on your armor.”

I meet Bera at the base of the stairs. She leads me through the crush of the crowd to a small golden tent decorated with a Viking-style dragon’s head. Bera pulls up the entrance flap; we step inside. It’s an empty and snug space filled with small store of weapons. A great wooden trunk lays against one wall.

“Come here, girl.” Bera pulls up the trunk’s lid. Inside sits a fitted suit of under-armor made from brown leather along with a golden breastplate. I brush my fingers over the dragon’s head insignia hammered into the metal. “It’s so beautiful.”

Bera beams. “It’s like the one Octavia wore when she battled in these very games so many years ago. The House of Gurith’s one of the few that allows women warriors.”

“Did she win the tournament?”

“Second place. Connor took first.” She winks. “But you’ll win today, girl.”

I gently pull the armor from the trunk. “If not, I’ll look great fighting.” I stare into my reflection in the shining gold and grin. I’m about to fight in the tournament. Me, demon girl. My tail swishes in an excited rhythm. I know exactly how to down that Arachnoid too.

I quickly put on the armor. It fits perfectly. Bera ties back my long auburn hair with a golden ribbon.