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"I can do that."
"That's the spirit."
He left me there on the small challenger's platform, just big enough for four or five adults to stand on. It was a single step up from the dirt floor of the dueling arena.
Clad in her red and black ceremonial dress uniform, Sersha stood on the far end, leering at Henderson as he took his place.
We'd allowed the Queen to change into something more suitable for combat. She chose something she’d only worn during stately gatherings that included the Fae Army.
She’d been trained, but had she ever been tested?
The keep had been constructed just to the east of this small coliseum and connected by a covered walkway. I'd never been inside here before. Duels were by the Queen’s invite only and she reserved those for her favorite courtiers.
Oval-shaped and encircled by large slabs of earthly travertine marble, the arena was as old as the Faelands. It wasn’t a space one would ever want to be forced into.
The dirt floor had absorbed the blood of thousands. The gore fed the ancient magic rooted in the soil, magic that would demand adversaries remain under its invisible dome until one either yielded or was dead.
There was no way in or out of the dueling area until it was over.Please be over fast.
I took the short staircase up to the viewing level where the others were waiting. Casimir opened his arms and I readily went into them.
"Things finally calm down outside?" I checked, hoping their brief interaction with the common fae had been productive.
"I would say contained, not calm. Apparently they actually see Kol as their leader and they weren't pleased Brokk came out with me instead."
I groaned. "Wonderful. Now we'll have to deal with the fae who attacked, those who got attacked, if there are any left, and my twelve-year-old brother whose head didn't need to get any bigger.
"Something to figure out later, my daughter."
I turned my head to my father who was intently focused on the scene below.
"Your friend and your aunt are starting. Best take what you can from this moment.”
"Perhaps if you stop referring to her as my aunt I'll be able to."
Some things never changed, I supposed. Or perhaps it was just Father who remained forever unchanging.
It dawned on me I was no longer the same female who had confidently marched away from Terek last year. Even more jarring was the realization that I didn’t want to be.
Chapter 34
Casimir
The air was electric as the two opponents stood for what felt like an eternity, sizing each other up. I led Raven closer to the balustrade for a better view, aware that her breath was coming shallow and fast.
Henderson flicked his wrist and a spear of fire erupted from his fingertips. He held the lance like he knew what he was doing, relaxed in his grip and angled to attack.
Sersha rolled her shoulders and called magic to her palms. She spared a fleeting look of contempt up to where our small group was watching, two stories above. Then she turned her scorn on Henderson.
The tension was palpable. It got worse with each passing second.
"What are they waiting for?" Kol asked.
When no one answered, he flicked the nail of his thumb across his index finger. Malcolm, who was bound and seated on the bench closest to Nik, jolted. Nik eyed the fae male warily.
"There's an obstruction spell in the middle of the arena. It won't drop until both parties have called forth their magic."
Kol pursed his lips. "Interesting."
