Golden Crown Series 02: The Twin Dragons by Rue Volley

went back to my jazzercise routine. She hit me again and this time I stumbled back and my driver caught me and stood me back up.
    “How am I doing?” I asked him and he laughed.
    “You seem to have her on the run,” he said and I nodded as I stepped towards her and took a swing finally. She ducked me and hit me in the side and I nearly spit my mouth guard out. Then she picked me up and spun me over her head as I saw everyone spin around me. She slammed me to the ground and I swear I almost peed myself. She landed on me and all you could see was my feet adorned with expensive new tennis shoes and my gloves. Mani ran up and tapped her and she crawled off of me as I stared at the ceiling feeling like I had been hit by a train. He leaned down over me and held his hand up.
    “How many fingers?” he asked me and I smiled and said “pink.” He then helped me up as my head felt heavy. He led me to the benches as my driver ran over.
    “Cold water and a bag of ice, ” Mani said as he nodded and the driver left us. I leaned forward and spit my mouth guard out and saw a bit of blood on it.
    “Am I bleeding?” I asked him as I looked up at him and he hissed as he saw my lip was busted open.
    “Mmm,” he said as the driver returned with the water and ice. Mani took it and then pulled me to him easily with one hand. I made a small noise as it turned me on a bit as to how strong he was. He held the ice up and then touched my lip with it and I cried out like a baby.
    “You got your ass beat,” h e said to me and I nodded as I started to cry and he shook his head and leaned down to make me look at him.
    “Everyone gets their ass beat the first day Beth, it is the way it is supposed to be.”
    “Really?” I said as I sniffed and he held his smile in.
    “You have never fought with anyone huh?”
    “Not a fight, I mean I have hit Ryan before.”
    “Did he notice?” Mani asked me and I jerked the ice bag from him and held it to my mouth on my own.
    “Yes he did,” I said as I hissed and held it in place. “I can be strong,” I said under my breath as the memory of hitting my father came back to me. After having that girl beat me so badly I am wondering how the hell I was able to do it at all. I guess we are never aware of what we can do unless we are in a panic.
    “You had children, I know you can be str ong,” he said to me and I looked at him. Nothing could be further from the truth on that one.
    “Twins, ” I said and he looked at my driver.
    “You might want to take her home, she has probably had enough…”
    I shook my head ‘no’ and stared at my driver.
    “Go get lu nch, I will be here for a while,” I said to him and he didn’t move. “I am serious, I am not leaving yet,” I added and Mani crossed his arms on his chest.
    “You have nothing to prove , Beth.”
    I stood up and he reached out as I swayed a bit. I caught my balance and pointed at the woman who had knocked the shit out of me.
    “Come on,” I said to her as I walked out and Mani stared at me in disbelief.
    “You really should take her home now,” he said to my driver and he looked at Mani and smiled.
    “You may b e surprised, Bethany is a bitch,” he said and Mani watched him walk towards the doors and leave to get lunch for himself, just like I told him to do.
    I started to pop back and forth as the woman approached me again and she looked past me to Mani as he held his hands up as if to say, I have no more say about it. She looked back to me and slammed her hands together as I felt a bit of anger rise in me. I mean I have never truly had to defend myself on a physical level but I knew what a battle could and should be. I am a Bittermend and I doubt there are many in this city with as ruthless of genes as I have. I leaned up and smiled at her as a bit of blood trickled on my chin. I started to transfer the pain I was feeling to how I used to enjoy it when I was fucking and everything became easier for me.
    “I don’t know who