Page 109 of Fated to the Demon Lord

In a move that was a desperate act to end the fight, Vaelor dropped and swiped his sword at the other demon’s legs. His opponent lunged to the side but took a sharp cut to his calf, though it was clear it wasn’t deep. He too easily climbed to his feet and stepped forward. The demon let loose a hiss of pain but charged toward Vaelor.

Worry gnawed at my insides. The longer the fight went, the quicker Vaelor would fade. The other demon, despite the cut on his calf, still appeared fresh, as though he could battle all day.

The demon charged again, striking out with such a fury, Vaelor fell back. He rammed a fist into Vaelor’s wing, and it cracked. Vaelor snarled in pain, and the demon struck, slamming his sword into Vaelor’s armor with such force that Vaelor crumpled to the dirt

I jammed my fist into my mouth and bit down to stifle the cry rising up my throat.

Vaelor didn’t rise, didn’t move. He lay on the ground, his armor dented and a massive crack showing through.

The tall demon leered. He twisted his blade in his hand and sauntered up to Vaelor. He grasped Vaelor by the horns, getting his limp body into position. The sword raised.

My throat clenched. No.

Get up.

Get up!

Get up, Vaelor. Now! I screamed through our connection.

Vaelor’s eyes flew open, and he moved. He swung his own sword, and it sliced directly into the demon’s neck, severing his head. It landed on the ground with a soft thud, the sickly smile of triumph still on the demon’s lips. His body toppled over, spitting black blood.

An abaddon spirit rose out of the body. Vaelor lunged forward one more time, his weapon glowing as he sliced the spirit demon in half.

Vaelor staggered on his feet, his wounded wing pulled close to his body. He moved sluggishly as he turned to face Throk on the dais and to see who his last opponent was.

Raxus had defeated his opponent much earlier and stood, uninjured and almost bored.

“Very nice,” Throk said with satisfaction. “Final match will be in one hour between Lord Vaelor and Raxus.”

My heart sank. Only an hour? Vaelor was on the verge of collapse.

I wanted to go to his side, but that wasn’t an option now. I had no way of hiding my scent.

Vaelor, that was…

Desperate?

Amazing. You’re such a good fighter.

Vaelor grimaced. Something tells me Raxus won’t be so easily fooled.

From my spot in the tree, I could see the exhaustion in his movements as he peeled off his broken armor.

Promise me, he thought. If it looks like this next round is going south, you will get out of here.

You won’t lose the next round, I⁠—

Promise me. Go to Misophae, get your family, and go somewhere safe. I’m barely standing, Denara.

We both knew it was damn near impossible, what he was suggesting. If Raxus won, it would be too late to get away. But Vaelor needed this. Needed the reassurance that his death wouldn’t also bring my own. That he wouldn’t fail this one last time.

But it was too late to give him that reassurance. I wouldn’t give him that reassurance.

If I go, then it will only be a temporary peace. They’ll attack Derand. If we leave, they’ll hunt us down. Nowhere will be safe. Maybe we lose here. Maybe we’ll fail miserably, but Vaelor, we have to try.

He leaned on a nearby tree and rested his head against it as he thought through my words.

Finally, his jaw clenched, and he gave a nod. We rise or fall together.