His words drew my frown, and Sainte lunged forward like a striking viper, crouched low, slamming the butt of his ax onto the giant’s foot just as the blades descended. With nimble agility, he rolled out of harm’s way, evading the furious swing.
The Obelisk’s relentless pursuit didn’t falter as Sainte darted around. The clash of their weapons filled my throat with a foul, bitter taste. Locked in battle, I wished I could avert my eyes. My Valahant was deliberately trying to tire him out, and I knew that, but I couldn’t help but cringe at each near miss.
I matched the king’s stare, lifting my chin to level my glare his way. He offered me a sneer that told me he saw my reactions to the fight.
Have faith.
I ground my teeth, refusing to look at the men despite the grunts and growls. A sword clattered near me, making me flinch, but I kept my head high and my gaze steady. My Valahant had a job to do, and so did I.
A mighty scream shook me to my core. I broke contact with the king, bracing myself. The giant fell back, grimacing as his blood gushed onto the floor from where the ax had embedded his stomach.
Sainte placed a foot on the Obelisk’s chest and heaved his weapon free. Something wild and dangerous flickered in his eyes, sending shivers down my spine—shivers not born of fear.
“A life for a life,” I called, my voice ringing clear as I held Sainte’s gaze.
He prowled my way, like a lion after a kill. Red seeped from a gash on his temple, mingling with the Obelisk’s blood splattered along his jaw, but the corner of his lip twitched up the tiniest bit.
He was ready.
He stood at my side and I turned a cruel smile on King Reid.
I held out my hand.
A gauntlet fell into it, and I hurled it at the foot of the throne. It skidded across the floor, colliding with its match.
I raised a brow. “Now, do you understand why you don’t take things from Wynterborne?”
“Retract your challenge!”
I tipped my head in a show of innocence at his demand.
Kaen explained during a formal challenge, one could only offer a single champion in their stead. Sainte defeated the Obelisk, an imposing figure chosen to intimidate, and now the king stood vulnerable, forced to fight any subsequent challenges himself.
“No negotiation was given for Piers. And I have no desire to negotiate with you,” I said.
Silence gripped the room as he stared me down.
“You kill me, and my heir will take the throne. Do you believe your life will be spared in his vengeance?”
“Do you have so little faith in yourself?” I gestured toward Sainte. “My Valahant is tired, weak. You are fresh and well-armed. I expected a king to stand tall and fight for his subjects.”
“Hold your tongue–”
“Piers belonged to Wynterborne. He belonged tome, and you took his life.”
“You don’t know what you’re doing,” he scoffed. “You’re nothing more than a little girl who–”
“That knows the importance of her people!” I shouted, standing as tall as I could. “My ambassadors wear their nationality as a badge of honor, a shield of protection while abroad. They should never enter a nation that claims friendship, only to be murdered behind closed doors!”
I took a deep breath, hoping Kaen’s guidance would hold true as I made my move. With slow, deliberate steps, I advanced towards the giant’s cooling corpse. As I held the king’s gaze, I set my palm in the sticky pool of crimson staining the polished floor. Blood dripped from my fingers as I approached the throne. His soldiers braced their weapons, but he lifted his fist, staying their defense. When I knelt at his feet, I dipped into a bow while holding his glare.
“I retract my challenge,” I said, then extended my hand. Crimson splattered onto his golden boot.
His upper lip twitched in a silent snarl, but he placed his palm in mine, the blood slimy between our grip. I lifted his fingers to my lips and kissed his signet ring, seeking forgiveness.
“I warn you,” I said, tightening my grip, “if ever a Wynterian comes to harm on Gladier soil, there will be far more blood on your hands.”
He recoiled, releasing my hold. He tried to play off his disgust by leaning casually on his throne. With a smirk, I retrieved the gauntlets and faced the crowd, holding my head high.
