I gave a laugh that sounded half-mad. “Better run,” I sang, repeating her taunt from earlier.
Gabby’s eyes widened. She turned and fled. Her wings beat like mad as she flew in a jagged pattern to outmaneuver me.
But, as I’d learned, my left hand was a great shot, and with it I barely missed. I flung the ball of magic in her direction. It slammed into Gabby’s back and she spun out. Her wings failed to support her as she crashed against the earth,hard, and the crowd let out a moan.
Her eyes fluttered shut, and she didn’t stir. Gabby had been knocked out by the force of my blow. She wasn’t getting up again for some time.
Now I had to deal with Elijah. I turned in mid-air and flew his way. The glint of my sword shone at me from the ground. I picked it up as I flew past, aiming my sights for Elijah.
He saw me coming. Elijah’s eyes fixated on Ethan, who was still lying helpless on the ground. He surged forward, jaws extended, to finish the job and end Ethan’s life forever.
But my wings were faster, and I got to him first. I kicked out my foot as he dove for Ethan’s neck, and it collided right with Elijah’s stupid face. He was knocked over backward. I landed as Elijah struggled to his feet.
I thrust my sword out and pressed it against his neck. Elijah gasped, eyes red and bloodshot as they locked with mine.
“Emma,” Ethan rasped. “Don’t kill him.”
A moment’s worth of hesitation crossed through me. Don’t kill him? Why not? He’d caused us nothing but trouble. He’d murdered someone. He would’ve killed Ethan if I hadn’t gotten here first. I should do away with him, and Gabby, too.
Yet Ethan was my mate. He was my alpha, and I loved him. I didn’t have to do as he commanded. But I chose to.
I dug the point of my blade into Elijah’s neck and drew blood. “Surrender,” I breathed. “Or I’ll run you through.”
Elijah raised a lip and growled. Then he transformed back into a man and raised his hands in defeat, bitter hatred emanating from his every feature.
The crowd exploded. Thunderous applause, along with shouts of victory, rang out in the stands around us. My wings faded away as I landed. I lowered my sword and turned on the spot, my mouth dropping open in awe.
“All hail the King! All hail the Queen!” the crowd was chanting.
Elijah had dragged himself away and was sitting at Gabby’s side. Ethan had changed back— he was lying on the ground on his back, still bleeding and wincing in pain.
“We did it, Emma,” he whispered. “You did it.”
“Ethan.” I knelt down. “Is it bad?”
“I’ll survive.” He gasped as he pushed himself to a sitting position. “I’ll need your help getting up, though.”
“Of course.” I pulled Ethan to his feet and put his arm around my shoulder. The audience cheered even louder as he stood. I helped him limp to the gates while flowers were tossed into the arena.
Now that the fight was over, it felt like the strength Milonna had given me was fading. I was exhausted. It was hard dragging Ethan around— he was a big guy— but it wasn’t long before Lord Lucien ran onto the field. He took Ethan from me, and a huge weight was removed from my shoulders as my mate leaned against him instead. Lady Magdalina had followed, and she gave me a nod of approval as we met near the gates.
“Well done.” Lord Lucien’s smile was broader than I’d ever seen. “Well done, you two.”
“Thanks.” Ethan’s head lolled on his shoulders. He was almost out of it.
“Ethan, do you realize what we’ve done? We’ve won!” I said. “You’re going to be king!”
“King. I can hardly believe it.” Ethan’s voice was faint. It was like he could barely process what was going on. I worried about him.
“We need to get him patched up. To the medical tent it is,” Lady Magdalina said. Ethan grumbled something incoherent.
“You should visit the medical tent as well, Miss Sosna,” Lucien said. “That was a hard fight.”
“I’ll be all right,” I told him. “What I really need is to change out of these clothes.” My armor, along with my tourney colors, were filthy. I looked around. “Where’s our court?” It’d be nice to see my friends right now.
“They’re waiting in the winners circle, where you’ll be presented after Ethan gets his bearings,” Lucien replied. “I suggest you get cleaned up before joining them.”
Lady Magdalina put a soft hand on my back. “That was excellent work, Emmaline. I knew you wouldn’t let me down.”
