“I swear to the gods.” Her chest tightened as his magick pressed down on her.
“You stopped my magick, Isawyou. The gods don’t make mistakes, which means you’re a liar,” he snarled as he reached down to her hand splayed out on the ground, grabbed her index finger in his hand, and bent it back with a snap.
Ambrose’s scream couldn’t be heard over the wind that rushed in her ears but by the time it was done her throat seared. The lieutenant screamed as a purple-white streak tore through the sky and connected with his shoulder.
In that instance, the power that pressed her to the ground lifted enough for her to pull herself to her feet and meet her opponent. Her body ached as she stood ready for his retaliation.
The smell of charred flesh invaded her nostrils, the scent all too familiar to the smoked meat from the festival earlier that day. She slapped a hand over her nose and mouth as she gagged.
Gods,it was awful.
That’s what burnt flesh smells like?Ambrose thought as she recoiled from the stench.
The shrieks of pain and rage that escaped Thornehart were like an animal trapped in a cage.
Raw. Senseless. Primal.
“I’ll fucking kill you!” he shrieked as he dropped his hand from his shoulder and threw both of them in her direction.
This time, she was ready.
She planted her feet and slammed her hands against his wind. As their magick collided their wind slammed into each other’s with such force it blasted away in every direction.
“Lieutenant, may I ask what it is that you think you’re doing?”
Thank the gods.
Akadian.
“Your Highness.” Thornehart fell to his knees as the prince closed in.
“I’ll ask again.Whatdo you think you’re doing?” Akadian looked at Thornehart as though he might tear him limb from limb.
The lieutenant nervously glanced from her to the prince. “Sire, she’s a criminal.”
Akadian looked to her, barely able to stand on her own feet. His brow furrowed as he took in the sight before him with a deadly calm.
“The only criminal I see is the one breaking Divine Law.” As Akadian stepped closer, Thornehart was smart enough not to move a muscle, though a tendon in his jaw flexed.
“Your Highness, her title is an abomination against Divine Law,” Thornehart spat in her direction.
Akadian brought his hand up and slapped the back of it against Thornehart’s cheek so hard Ambrose was impressed his head stayed on his shoulders. Satisfaction flooded her veins as darkness flirted with the edges of her vision.Justice.
A devious smile tugged at the corners of Akadian’s mouth. “Are you questioning Divine Law? To do so would be to question the godsthemselves.” He leaned in dangerously close and spoke his next words softly, “Are you questioning the gods,Lieutenant?”
Thornehart tensed. “Of course not. I would never—”
“Because that would be suicide,” Akadian cut in.
Thornehart swallowed his response.
“I don’t know whether to consider you lucky or not,” Akadian mused, hands clasped behind his back. “Usually, I’d be the one to deal out your punishment. However, Casimir has taken a particular interest in this Trial Champion.” Akadian’s smile grew. “Which means you get to answer tohim.”
Thornehart had the decency to look absolutely terrified.
Though the deadly fury that emanated off Akadian was enough to kill on its own, and his current hummed as powerfully as it always did, he called no flames to assist him.
Why isn’t he using his magick?Ambrose wondered.Is it because of Casimir’s orders?
