The fire raging in her eyes, she strikes at me with more force than I expect. I fall to the ground, forced to brace myself with my left arm while I block with my right. Daelia tries to push me down harder with a strike from her dagger, and I’m forced to bring up my left arm to support the block. We struggle, stuck in a deadlock. My mind is searing through with the intense fear of losing. I’m straining my muscles to the max, and I can see Daelia doing the same. Neither one of us will give in; until one of our bodies gives out, this match will not be over.
“I REFUSE TO LOSE!” Daelia roars.
All of a sudden, I see the telltale signs of magic gathering in Daelia’s hands. My stomach bottoms out.
“DAELIA, DON’T—!”
It’s too late. The magic explodes from her hands, and I do the only thing I can: dive aside to avoid the attack. Daelia and I topple to the ground, and I instantly climb on top of her, pinning her with my sword.
“YIELD, DAELIA!” I roar.
“OH MY GODS!”
“SOMEONE CALL A MEDIC!”
Daelia and I freeze up immediately. We look to the source of the noise, and I feel the blood drain from my face as I realize what’s happening.
Daelia’s attack hit someone in the audience. Not just anyone, either.
It struck Mina.
She’s lying on the floor of the royal box, a terrible wound on the side of her head bleeding profusely. She’s unconscious despite Aurelio’s protests for her to wake up.
My sword clatters out of my hand.
I don’t realize I’m screaming until my throat is bleeding.
Chapter thirty-four
Aurelio
“MINA! MINA!” I shriek.
She’s not waking up. The wound in her head looks deep, like she’s been struck with a sword. I rip off my shirt and tie it around her head, but it’s not enough to stem the blood-flow. My white shirt is scarlet within seconds.
“SOMEONE CALL A MEDIC!” I order.
Just then, there’s a horrific scream from the arena. I look over my shoulder, and my heart skips a beat to see Alessia having a mental breakdown beside her sister. Daelia is frozen while Alessia pounds her fists into the ground, screaming bloody murder while she convulses with uncontrollable sobs.
“My King, take Mina!” I shout.
Alessia’s father nods, replacing me at Mina’s side. I fly down the stadium and jump straight over the arena wall, running to Alessia. She’s broken her knuckles from pounding them into the ground by now.
“Alessia, stop! Help is on the way!” I shout.
“GET AWAY FROM ME!”
She swings wildly at me. My heart leaps into my throat as I narrowly avoid being punched in the face. Reacting on pure instinct, I seize her hands, pin them behind her, and hold her to my chest.
“Alessia! Get a hold of yourself!” I command.
“NO! UNHAND ME—!”
“Alessia! You’re in public! Think of your reputation!” I hiss into her ear.
Alessia’s eyes snap open. Her face goes ghostly white as she realizes all eyes are on her. Trembling violently, she bows her head in shame, sobbing hysterically. I pull her into my chest, and she falls into me, losing all strength to hold herself up.
“Alessia—I—” Daelia starts.
