Cursed by Bandits (Once Upon A Curse)

25. Chapter Twenty-Five

Chapter Twenty-Five

I stared up at Connor, fear coursing through my body. Not because I was afraid of him, rather I feared I wouldn’t be able to do my best because I liked him. I didn’t want to hurt him.

Connor’s eyes met mine, his expression softening for a moment. “Master Robin,” he said just loud enough for me to hear. “There’s something about you . . . Someone you remind me of.” He shook his head almost imperceptibly. “May the best man win.”

I nodded, forcing a smile onto my face. “May the best man win.”

We bumped fists before we circled each other, the roar of the crowd fading into the background. This wasn’t just a match; it was the first test of my training and research. I had to stay focused and not let little things, like a soft spot for my competition, distract me. I reminded myself why I was here, a litany that rang through my head over and over again:

For Lockersley, for my father, and for my own future.

Connor struck first, jabbing with his left before coming around with a right hook. I moved back and then ducked, dodging his punches, each movement instinctive. Seeing a small opening, I countered with a quick jab. He blocked it, basically swatting my fist away. Through all of this, his eyes never left mine. We moved in a deadly dance, each blow met with a parry, each step calculated.

As the match continued, I gained confidence. Connor was good, surprisingly so for the son of a king, but so was I. Every time he pressed forward, I was able to dodge and respond, holding my ground. My fear disappeared. I was determined to win this fight. I couldn’t let my feelings for him, the friendship I felt forming between us, interfere with what needed to be done.

A fierce exchange left us both panting, circling each other with our fists protecting our faces. Connor swung a left hook. “You’re better than I expected, Master Robin. But the fun and games are over. It’s time to end this.”

With a move so quick I almost didn’t see it, I realized Connor had been lulling me into a false sense of superiority. I stumbled but quickly regained my footing. I held my arms near my face, unable to do much against the blows he rained down on me, each one harder and faster than the previous one. He pressed his advantage more, his blows coming faster, more aggressively. I did everything I could to stay in the fight, but it didn’t feel like it would be enough to win. Connor was outmatching me.

My green eyes met his, and he hesitated. His eyebrows shot up. “Rowan?”

The crowd’s screams drowned out his words, but I heard him and nodded. He grabbed me in a headlock, shocking me. I fought back.

“What are you doing? Why are you here fighting? Do you know what would happen if you were caught?”

I realized he wasn’t really fighting me anymore. It was an act to get more information. So, I played along while we spoke.

“I couldn’t let my uncle give me away as a prize. Like I would ever sit around and be awarded to some man as a trophy to be won.” I used a counterattack I learned at the nunnery and took control. “Not to mention the prize money would help Lockersley.”

Connor was surprised at the sudden reversal of our positions. But it was so much more than that. My identity and conviction threw him off balance. For a moment, his grip slackened. It didn’t take long for him to process the information, which was when our fight transformed into a choreographed dance of whispered words and fake combat.

“You could have told me, should have told me.” He tightened his hold just enough to keep the crowd invested in our battle.

“Would you have let me compete?” I retorted, twisting to break free from his grasp. “This is the only way I can control my fate and help my people.”

“It wasn’t the only way. You could have married me,” he retorted.

“I couldn’t live here if I married you,” I said with a grimace. But then I saw Milo in the crowd and felt myself smile. “It wouldn’t be fair to you.”

Connor’s eyes followed mine, landing on my scientist. “I see.”

He hesitated, and I seized the opportunity to slip out of his hold, spinning to face him. The crowd’s cheers and jeers were a distant hum compared to the pounding of my heart. Connor’s face was a mixture of frustration and admiration.

“Rowan.” His eyes pleaded with me to stop this deception. “What you are doing is dangerous. If you’re discovered—”

“You don’t think I know that?” I interrupted, stepping back into a defensive stance. “I have to win this tournament. It’s the only way.”

He nodded slowly, understanding dawning in his eyes. “Okay, I understand. But I can’t—I won’t hold back because I’m fighting you, not as the prince.”

“I understand, and would expect nothing less,” I replied with determination. “Now let’s get this over with so we can move on to our next opponents.”

With renewed vigor, we resumed our fight. Connor’s blows were measured, precise, but no longer held the same ferocity. He was testing me, pushing me to my limits without aiming to defeat me outright. I met him strike for strike, each clash of our hands echoing with the weight of unspoken words.

Then, with a move I’d practiced countless times, I saw an opening. Connor’s guard dropped ever so slightly, and I lunged, my fist finding its mark. He stumbled and dropped to one knee, and the crowd erupted in a cacophony of noise .

Connor looked up at me, a wry smile playing on his lips. “Well fought, Robin. Or should I say, Lady Rowan?”

I extended my hand, helping him to his feet. “Thank you, Connor. You were a worthy opponent.”

As we exited the arena, Milo and Jane rushed to my side, their faces alight with relief and pride. “You did it,” Jane said, hugging me tightly. “You really did it.”

Milo clapped me on the back. “I never doubted you for a second.”

But as I glanced back at Connor, who was being tended to by the healers, a pang of guilt tugged at my heart. Despite the victory, the weight of my deception and the risks I was taking loomed large.

“We need to be careful,” I whispered to Jane and Milo. “My uncle can’t find out about any of this.”

“We will,” Jane assured me, her eyes scanning the crowd for any signs of trouble. “But for now, let’s focus on the next round.”

I nodded, pushing my worries aside. The fight was far from over, and I had a town to save.