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Solia lifted her chin. “We’ll duel according to the rules of the Battle of Souls. Everything is allowed—fists, blades, magic. Your father didn’t hesitate. Are you the Lion of Orthros’s son or not?”
“If you have any doubts, then there’s a lesson in this for you, too,” Lio replied.
“We should seek Kassandra’s approval for this,” Mak said.
Lio ignored him and whatever words hovered on Cassia’s open lips. He looked Solia in the eye. “I accept your challenge. Name the place and time.”
Cassia’s mouth snapped shut. Her anger stung his senses.
“Tomorrow night,” Solia told him. “At the Summit Sanctuary, with the Charge as our spectators. In case you need your Ritual father to put you back together after we’re done with our lesson.”
“For you to consider the task fulfilled,” Lyros asked, “must he spar with you? Or defeat you?”
Solia laughed. “It would hardly be fair to set him an impossible task. He doesn’t have to try to win. He only has to finish a match with me. No withdrawal or surrender. We fight until victory or defeat.”
“This is madness!” Cassia cried.
No, Lio knew precisely what he was doing. He let his Grace-sister see his fangs. The fire in her eyes didn’t falter.
She underestimated him. But not for much longer.
“Enough!” Cassia said. “Both of you, stop. I won’t allow either of you to do this, especially not over me.”
“He has already accepted my challenge,” Solia said. “There’s no turning back now. Unless he wants to withdraw and fail the labor—forfeiting my blessing.”
Cassia’s whole being throbbing with fury and hurt. “Why are you putting him through this? Why are you making me watch?”
There, at last, for the first time. Surprise in Solia’s eyes. Hesitation.
Then Cassia spun to face Lio. But the pain in her voice didn’t fade. Instead of her glorious temper, it was her hurt that tore at him. “And how could you agree to all of this without even talking to me?”
“Cassia—”
She turned her back on him and Solia. “I need a step, please.”
“Of course.” Mak put an arm around her shoulders.
“Where are you going?” Lio protested.
Mak glared at him. “Away from you two idiots.”
Lio reached for Cassia, but it was too late. She and Mak disappeared. Lio rounded on Lyros. How dare his Trial brothers conspire to take his Grace away from him?
Lyros planted a hand in the middle of Lio’s chest. “If you or Solia try to follow Cassia, I will cast the Blood Shackles on you to keep you from going anywhere.”
“Where is she?” Lio would drag Mak into the arena after he was done with Solia.
“With Mak,” Lyros said. “That’s all you need to know.”
“How long does he plan to keep her?” Flame skittered along Solia’s jaw.
Lyros crossed his arms. “If you’re worried about the lords noticing her absence during the day, then you’ll simply have to think of an explanation to give them.”
They had just watched the plan she had risked her life for begin to fall apart. The Collector could be anywhere, lying in wait for her. And without stealing some time for a feast after the Council, her Craving would only grow worse. She should be here, so Lio could hold her and tell her everything would be all right.
But Cassia was gone.
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