A meter above the moss, Quinlan's eyes opened a fraction wider inside the trance.
Retainer.
The word sat wrong on his tongue. The Flower Queen was on one knee on his moss with her head bowed toward him, and Quinlan filed the offer for handling in a moment because the woman three meters behind Orianna had just uncrossed her arms.
"I want a duel."
Raika's voice carried across the courtyard without preamble, and on the moss, eleven groaning women found a reason to lift their heads.
The Brutalizer's boots were planted wide and her eyes were locked on the man hovering above the courtyard, and whatever patience she had until now was spent.
Quinlan's mouth tilted.
"...I did promise you one some time ago, didn't I?"
A sigh through his nose.
"Fine."
