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Chapter 52
Dagen
Dagen wasn’t entirelycertain how to handle this situation. It had never occurred, not in the entire history of the realm, at least that he knew of. No champion had ever spared the life of another, and he knew the fae seated in the arena would not accept Bree’s victory without blood on the ground and a head to stick on astake.
He rushed toward her as she strode across the fighting pit back to her side of the arena to grab a robe from her team. Dagen had to keep his gaze averted. Otherwise, he would be far too distracted to say a word. “You cannot walk away from this. He willheal.”
“He can’t fully heal right now. Not on the spot like this,” she said as she shrugged the robe over her shoulders. “It’ll take hours for those wounds to close up. Five puncture wounds right in the chest. He’s lucky tolive.”
“Yes, but.” Dagen frowned. He had to remember that Bree was not originally from this realm, and she did not quite understand how things worked here. Still, Taveon should have explained all of this to her when she’d offered herself up as champion, a decision that had shaken Dagen to his bones when he’d found out. “The champion who wins is the one who survives the fight. Neither of you can win if you bothsurvive.”
Bree stopped short and glared at him. It was difficult to see her look at him that way. Only a week before, things had been so different between them, but it had all changed when Taveon had begun to show the softer side of himself toBree.
Dagen could not lie. A part of him was glad she was no longer miserable, but he missed that spark in her eyes, that banter they’d had. She had closed herself off to him, thinking she had to if she was going to take the Prince’s side. Little did she know that he’d been on her side the entire time. He wanted what was best for the realm and nothing more. And he’d had to follow his duties, even if that meant exposing the truth about thePrince.
He almost hadn’t told the Court the truth about Taveon. He had hesitated for so long. In the end, he thought the realm deserved to know thetruth.
“I win because I had the clear advantage over him. I could have killed him if I’d wanted to. My claw was at his throat.” Her words were clipped, her tone harsh. “Now, if you’re done, I need to go get some rest for tomorrow’sfight.”
“I am not certain the Court will agree with you,Bree.”
“I don’t care what the Court agrees with. I clearlywon.”
He let out a sigh, wishing it could somehow be that easy. “I agree. You won. But it is not as easy as that. It never is with this Court. They will likely contest your win. You may have to fight it againtomorrow.”
“Well, fix it. Make them understand,” she said, narrowing her eyes. “You owe me that atleast.”
“Okay.” A beat passed. “I will try. For you, I willtry.”
“Good.” She gave a nod. “Goodbye,Dagen.”
“Bree,” he said, shuddering despite himself. “Please do not go like this. I need to speak with you about something. But...” He glanced around. Taveon and Rafe were now striding toward them, their eyes locked on where Dagen’s hand rested on Bree’s arms. “Not here. Somewhereprivate.”
“What in the name of the forest do you want to speak to me about?” She jerked her arm out of his grasp. “Don’t tell me you want me to turn on Taveon again. Because that’s not going to happen. My spying days for you are over, whether you like it or not. I could have taken my freedom, and I didn’t. So, we’re done.Okay?”
Dagen frowned, his heart clenching inside his chest. He wanted to tell Bree the truth. He wanted her to know that she was wrong about him. But how could he tell her how he felt if she wouldn’t let him get close toher?
Maybe it was for the best. Maybe he should never have gotten involved with Taveon’s champion. Dagen’s life had been difficult ever since he’d walked up to Bree’s cell door. Still, he knew he wouldn’t take it back even if he could. Those moments spent with Bree had been some of his best, even if they had been fleeting and done under the guise of somethingelse.
He’d been stupid to hide the truth from her. He could see thatnow.
And it was too late to take it allback.
Bree had made her choice. She cared for Rafe and Taveon, not Dagen. So, all he could do was let her walk away, back into the arms of males who she trusted. All Dagen could do now was watch her from afar. He tried to tell himself that his heart wasn’t broken, but it certainly felt as though itwas.
And now, he had to convince the Court not to force her to re-fight the champion who she’d chosen not to kill. Of all the females he’d had to fall for, why did it have to be the difficult, impossibly fiery creature that was BreePaine?
