Subduing the Beastly Queen

ssive weight pounding the air from her lungs befo

ned where he'

ith the impact of

only one choice. It was her father's words,

using their weight and size to pin you. Do everything in your power to avoi

y he'd focused all his attention on getting her under his paws, gripped in his teeth, so

lf for not think

rs old, the move that she'd since used against her brother, against Emily, and against every arrogant male that decided he cou

from under him, pinned one of his hind legs between hers, and twisted-pull

leg. It was only enough to stop him bracing with the limb, but it allowed her to

o stop her getting a grip on his neck when s

ined, pressing hard to keep him down and off balance-but be

closing her teeth on his neck when her stomach flipped

Emily grabbed the Queen and pulled her behind him, ducking below the level of the stage as the two huge bodies c

fearful Helena's sp

ying, snapping snarls that rose out of the dust shrouding t

e they fought, Emily was forced to turn around, to push the Queen back to give the fighters space, holding her

ed at her. "You have t

ly's shoulder on Helena and her father. "They're going to kill each

the sounds behind him shifted from snar

grip. He was terrified to turn back

es went wide o

e..." Emily swallow

him, horror on her face. "

th to brace himself to turn and see the carnage, to be brave for Helena'

guttural, barely recognizable, and Em

rom the fighters-who were both back in human form. Abendroth, sprawled on his back, and Helena, bloodied and scrape

ed again. "Do not m

round her wrists, twisted in the dirt,

ease!" the Queen shrie

trying to unseat Helena and regain control. But even as she snarle

, their eyes locked in a combat no less fierce th

eading, but fierce. "Pleas

ed in his chest and vibrated the ground, Abendroth slumpe