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Ben was gone, and where he had stood, vassals of Lord Hadrian filled the stands.
The herald’s trumpet cut through the night, and the crowd went quiet. “Let the Full Council of Free Lords bear witness that Ambassador Deukalion Komnenos of Orthros has challenged Lord Flavian of Segetia to Trial by Combat, the prize to be Princess Cassia’s hand.”
Cassia could scarcely believe the words or the strange reality they were now living, in which they wore their secret for all to see, and her diplomat was about to raise his fists.
“Let the challengers and their seconds enter the field!” the herald declared.
Lio rose from his seat, and all eyes went to his tall figure.
Solia put a hand on Cassia’s arm. “You can let Lio fight without appointing him your champion.”
“That will make it seem he stole me from Flavian without my cooperation.”
“Yes. It would mitigate the damage to your reputation.”
“You know I cannot do that.”
Solia released her. “I know. But I wouldn’t be your elder sister if I didn’t remind you of the option.”
“I understand, Soli.” Cassia stood and pulled a silk handkerchief out of her sleeve, a white one with Hespera’s Rose embroidered on it in black silk. She let the crowd watch her tie it around Lio’s wrist.
“This is the first handkerchief you gave me,” she said, “the one I kept with me while we were apart. All those nights I shed tears over having to marry Flavian.”
Lio pressed her hand to his lips. “No more tears after tonight, my Grace.”
He descended the stands without magic, walking down with Lord Deverran and Eudias to meet Flavian and Benedict. Of course Ben would fight as Flavian’s second. The sight of him there prodded Cassia’s fresh pain, despite her resolve not to waste her grief on him.
The herald’s voice rang out again, informing the crowd of the rules of the fight. Sunfire Poison. Mortal strength. Fists only.
Mak leaned toward her across Lio’s empty seat. “Don’t worry. This will be just like his fight with the Dexion.”
Cassia nodded mutely, but her mind filled with visions of Lio’s broken ribs and shattered ankle, of his desperate bite afterward, when he had needed her blood to heal. They had been in Orthros then, with help just a step away. This was Tenebra, where Hesperines were routinely run down by liegehounds, beheaded, immolated…and there were people in this crowd who would wish any of those fates upon her Grace.
Lio toed off his silk shoes and unfastened his elegant outer robe, handing them over to Lord Deverran. Underneath, Lio wore his Hesperine athletic tunic, paired with Imperial trousers as a nod to Tenebran standards of modesty. But Cassia dared anyone in the audience who appreciated male beauty not to stare. Lio ran through a quick stretch, his pale, lightly muscled forearms flexing in the torchlight, then stalked toward Flavian with immortal grace.
Flavian rolled up the sleeves of his tunic and said something to Eudias. The mage offered Lio a vial that must hold the Sunfire Poison. Lio raised the flask to Cassia as if toasting her, then drained it. When he handed it back to Eudias, his movements were studied and deliberate.
The whole crowd waited in silence for the potion to take effect. Her fingers closed over the arms of her chair.
Lio gave her mind a powerful, reassuring touch, before his magic began to fade.
Her heart started to pound, and before she could restrain the instinct, she reached for him with her aura. The resting current swelled to a tentative channel. But she felt as if she were reaching for his magic through thick cotton, and it responded sluggishly.
How disorienting must it feel for him to have his vast power dulled so? As someone who had yet to feel the full strength of her own magic, she hated every moment he must experience this.
He and Flavian raised their fists and faced one another. The herald’s trumpet sounded. Lio smiled, his fangs flashing white in the night.
The first punch came from Flavian, and Cassia jumped in her seat. Lio dodged by leaning quickly to one side. She cursed herself for acting like a startled rabbit.
Flavian hurled his fists at Lio again, once and twice in quick succession, only for Lio to evade again. He made it look effortless.
Mak let out a low whistle. “Look at our scrollworm now.”
Lyros leaned forward in his seat. “He’s compensating for the poison based on his experience with the Dexion.”
Cassia did not find the cool, collected determination on Flavian’s face reassuring. He swung his fist toward Lio’s face again, and she sucked in a breath, prepared to watch Flavian probe Lio’s defenses.
Flavian’s blow never landed. Lio’s palm struck Flavian’s wrist, then his long fingers closed, twisting Flavian’s arm into an S-shape that made the man grimace and retreat. Lio let him go.
