By bringing your challenger to you.
“—With not a single soldier.”
“I am worth thirty recruits,” I shot back. “Am I not?”
Murmurs rippled through the crowd, accompanied by subtle headshakes and shrugs.
“Some might contest that notion.” Adastrus laughed darkly. “Regardless, a vow remains binding, does it not, dear sister? A ruler should exemplify honesty, setting a standard not just for themselves but for their subjects. Or do you envision a realm built on deceit?”
I took a calming breath, steadying myself. He was pinning me in a corner. I had to be smarter than this. “He believed bringing me here was the honest thing to do, rather than waste time gathering men.”
Adastrus sighed, a tinge of sadness in the sound. “He will be held to his vow. A man’s worth is measured by his word. If that fails…”
I drew a sharp breath, my heart pounding as he inched closer. His unblinking green eyes bore a disturbing fascination as he loosened a dagger from his belt. I recoiled, jerking back from him.
Sinister laughter rippled through the crowd and my brother shook his head, yet his gaze betrayed a deadly intent. He would kill me if given the chance.
“If his words fail,” he added, “so should his heart. A liar does no one good.”
No, no, no. He would not kill Sainte.
“I offer my pardon,” I said, lifting my chin.
His face changed from malice to confusion so quickly that I second-guessed myself. I cast a quick questioning glance at Anderz, but he watched on with his hands tucked in his robes, as silent and calm as ever.
“You pardon him?”
I cleared my throat and returned my attention to my brother. “Aye.”
He threw his head back, roaring his laughter. His body shook with the force of his vile mirth, and the crowd echoed it.
At that moment, I would have killed them all if I could.
A flush of anger heated my cheeks despite the chilled breeze, and my lips pressed tight. As a princess, surely I could grant pardons.
“Ah, my sweet, naïve sister—”
I flinched as his arm draped over my shoulders, pulling me close.
“—you cannot pardon anyone. Only the regent holds that authority.”
I shivered in disgust as his hot breath brushed my cheek.
“I’ll teach you a lesson, little sister.” His tone sweetened with false comfort, as though he were a caring brother ready to offer genuine guidance.
I doubted that completely.
“Serve him his last five,” he commanded, thrusting the short whip against my ribs.
Blood smeared my dress, and my ribs smarted.
“It would have ended, if not for you,” he hissed, pressing his lips against my ear. “Thank you for that.”
Revulsion surged through me as I shrugged him off, hurling the weapon to the ground with a thud. I stood a few paces away, panting in my rage. His grin only fueled my anger, his demeanor akin to a brother teasing his sister.
“Then I’ll deliver his true punishment,” he said, shrugging a shoulder. With a swift motion, he tossed the dagger into the air, flipping it skillfully to secure a better grip.
“No!”
