She didn’t know and didn’t really care. She was way too happy to see him.
“Sire…” Thornehart pleaded, knowing there was nothing he could say.
“Silence.” The word sliced as though it actually cut Thornehart who snapped his mouth shut.
The unrelenting mage Ambrose had just been in the throes of battle with was gone, and what was left was a man who knew his place. Ambrose allowed herself to feel the satisfaction that rushed through her.
Akadian straightened but kept his eyes trained on the lieutenant. “Report back to the palace immediately. If you flee, I will track you down and kill you myself. Fail to report to Casimir and I’ll have every soldier in the kingdom searching for you. I will personally find you and throw you at his feet as a gift. Go.Now.”
Thornehart lifted himself and rushed towards the gates of the city without another word of protest.
“Thank you,” Ambrose told him as the world began to sway.
“It’s my duty,” Akadian replied without looking at her.
Gods, she was sick of that word.
Chapter 17
“We need to get you healed.” Akadian still watched the spot where Thornehart disappeared in the distance.
“How did you find me?” Ambrose cradled her broken finger as she tore a piece from the hem of her dress and wrapped it for support. Every moment she stood, her body protested, muscles shaking from her legs to her finger-tips.
“It didn’t take much.” He turned towards her when he was certain Thornehart was gone. “I simply followed the source of the lightning. It was a little hard to miss.”
Fuck.
“Do you think anyone else noticed?” She looked around nervously, half expecting someone else to come running, ready to punish her for being so far away from the festival. She might be a Trial Champion but being this far away, all on her own, wouldn’t look good if someone decided to report it to Casimir. She could lose any opportunity for escape.
Akadian shook his head. “I think everyone is a little too drunk on the festivities tonight to notice, and anyone that did most likely assumed it was the king letting off steam.” His eyes widened and ran over her like he was trying to solve a puzzle he couldn’t quite finish. “Doubtful anyone noticed it was the wrong color.”
She forced a few deep breaths, grateful for that at least.
It was time to get out of Eltoria.
The city was getting less safe with each passing day and she couldn’t wait any longer. She’d been putting her all into her training, becoming as strongas she could, and it would just have to be enough for whatever was out there. She saw the hatred in Thornehart’s eyes. That kind of hate wasn’t something someone could easily let go of. He wouldn’t rest until he found a way to kill her and would have more than enough opportunities in the palace. Her gut told her he was the type to want to do it himself and she wasn’t going to give him the chance to corner her again.
“Are you alright?” Akadian asked, concern growing on his face as he watched her sway back and forth.
“You mean besides almost being murdered?” she tried to joke, but it fell flat as her knees begged to buckle.
Akadian stepped forward and offered a hand to steady her. “He’s a rat and a coward for cornering you the way he did.”
“Yeah, well, it almost didn’t matter. You showed up just in time. I don’t know how much longer I could’ve fought him off.” She ignored his extended hand, determined to stand on her own. She wouldn’t let herself look weaker than she already did.
“I am rather impressed,” Akadian praised as he placed a hand on her elbow anyway.
She pulled back from his touch and the world tilted. He caught her in time to stop her from falling to the ground, a hand placed gently on the small of her back and one on her elbow to keep her upright.
“I’m sure my performance was splendid,” she retorted as she breathed through the pain in her body and allowed him to hold her. Too tired to fight it.
“I’m serious,” he said softly. “No one has ever been able to injure Thornehart in battle before. He’s famously known for his magickal ability and has never left a fight with so much as a scratch, let alone a charred shoulder. That strike would’ve killed most beings, I’m genuinely surprised you were able to make contact. He was even up for promotion soon.”
Ambrose was silently grateful for his support as the adrenaline left her body and she knew she wouldn’t be standing without his help. His thumb traced circles on the small of her back as she swallowed her pride and waves of nausea.
“Was?” she breathed.
“Now, he’ll be lucky to clean my chamber pot.” Akadian glared at the spot where Thornehart walked off. “Most likely, Casimir will make an example of him. No one is allowed to harm a Trial Champion, no matter the rank. Not even a lieutenant is outside our laws, especially Divine Law. He’ll be punished accordingly.”
