His brows knit together, shadowing his dark eyes. “What do you mean?”
I shake my head, gesturing out towards the people. “You don’t think you’re worthy to be here. So why are you even trying to keep your position?”
He stays quiet.
“Look—I thinkyou are amazing.” I gesture to our friends. “Mathilda thinks you hung the moon. Mina threw Haraldagainst a wall for his words against you. Lachlan and Evander love you like a brother. Even Luna jumped in to save your life. Yet none of that seems to make you realize you are important here.Why?”
Tane shakes his head, closing his eyes.
“I know you think you shouldn’t be here. And that there were warriors who were killed under your command, so maybe some part of you feels guilty that you’re here and they’re not.But you are squandering this gift.You were brought here for a reason, and I believe that reason was because you were better than the rest of them. And we need the best for what’s coming. The warrior that you are could change the tide of this war. The world needs you. That’s why you are here. So win, please.” My voice wavers. “You could be the reason she makes it out of this—alive.”
I jerk my chin towards Mathilda and his eyes widen as if that thought never occurred to him. That he could save her the way she’s saved him.
His gaze meets mine, confident and clear. “Thanks, Lena.”
I squeeze his shoulder. “You got this.”
He pushes off the table and heads back towards the ring while I slip through the crowd again, taking my place next to my friends. The weight on my shoulders eases. Hope courses through my veins. I think I might have gotten through to him.
Tane cracks his neck, his eyes gleaming, as he enters the ring again. Ready for the next opponent. A few men who had been standing on the sidelines leave the grounds before even trying. And I relax even further. That’s a good sign.
Slow and steady, Tane battles his way through the challengers. Defeating each one with a lethal grace he hadn’t even shown with two arms. I’m thinking that the remaining challengers will throw in the towel before gasps ring out and I squint to see what just happened.
Mathilda steps into the circle.
My breath catches as I watch her swagger around the perimeter of the ring.
“She can’t do that, can she?” I look from Lachlan to Evander, and they both shrug. “But she already has a place in the court. Is she going to hold two?”
Tane holds his sword out in front of him, following her movements with a predator’s focus. Beads of sweat drip down his face, his long braid sticking in places onto his tattooed back. He’s been at this all day. He must be exhausted, but it doesn’t show. There’s a fire in his eyes still as he prepares for this next battle—the last one.
Mathilda flips her sword from hand to hand, taunting him.
“Gods dammit, Mathilda,” I grumble under my breath. Mina’s eyes widen next to me and she brushes against me, stepping closer.
Tane’s face goes lax before his eyes narrow.
“Do you still have what it takes to defend this realm?” Mathilda’s voice rings out as she goads Tane.
My stomach pitches, and I ball my hands into fists at my side.
Tane’s face stays calm, even though his voice trembles. “I don’t want to do this, Mathilda.”
She launches the first attack, and Tane deflects it. His knuckles turn white against the hilt of his sword. They break apart and circle each other around the ring.
“Are you going to let us all down?” she grits out.
Tane pushes her sword back before retreating a step.
“Mathilda—stop,” he growls. His brow lowers, casting his face in shadow.
Mathilda sidesteps towards him and lunges. The motion has Tane stumbling. She throws a punch to his kidney.
“You think you’re not good enough? Yet here you are. Fighting for your position. So fightme!” Mathilda yells.
Mina groans beside me, wrapping her arms around her middle.
“I don’t like this,” I mutter.
