I let out a low, humorless chuckle, pressing the wooden sword back into the maid's hands, my grip tense but steady. "Your Majesty, I wouldn't dare," I said, forcing a calm tone that felt brittle, like it might shatter at any moment. I kept my eyes on the sword as if focusing on it alone would get me out of all this.
But he wasn't planning on letting me off the hook so easily. He took a slow, deliberate step closer, his gaze piercing, making it clear he wasn't planning on taking "no" for an answer.
I swallowed hard, and though every instinct screamed at me to look away, I raised my gaze, meeting his stare with what little defiance I could muster. "Then it wouldn't be fair," I murmured, the words slipping out before I could second-guess myself. "A mere half-shifter werewolf against the Lycan King? I would look like a fool."