I whip around to glare at her. “Don’t touch her! Do you realize what you’ve done? Magic is against tournament rules for a reason!”
Daelia’s eyes fly wide. “But I didn’t—I didn’t mean to—”
“It doesn’t matter what your intentions were. What matters is what you’ve done. And you’ve done enough,” I snarl.
Daelia bows her head solemnly, tears spilling down her face. “I’m sorry. At least let me heal her.”
“DON’T YOU TOUCH—!” Alessia starts.
I clap a hand over her mouth, looking at Daelia. “Go ahead. Correct your mistake the best you can. You know the spell you used, after all.”
Daelia nods and sprints up the stands, tending to Mina as soon as she arrives. I glance down at Alessia, who’s glaring daggers at me.
“Why would you let her anywhere near Mina?” she growls.
“She’s the best chance we have at healing her quickly. There’s no better healer in the kingdom; her magic is renowned.”
Alessia looks away from me. “Fine. You have a point. Take me to Mina, then.”
I pick her up and set her on her feet. Holding out my arm, Alessia takes it as she stumbles to the arena exit and we push our way up the stairs to the royal viewing box. Once we arrive, I notice the green hue of Daelia’s magic shining blindingly bright around Mina’s head. The blood flow has already stopped, but Daelia’s hands are shaking so hard, it’s a wonder she can use magic at all.
“I’m almost finished. Just a few more minutes…”
Daelia nods off. To my surprise, the king smacks her to keep her awake.
“Foolish daughter of mine, don’t you dare quit now!” he thunders. “Stay awake! Stay awake like your life depends on it!”
I stare at the king in surprise. Never before have I seen him care about someone, but here he is now, protesting for Mina’s life like it’s all he has left to care about in the world. He continues to yell at Daelia as she heals, shaking her whenever necessary to keep her awake, keeping the process going as long as possible until Daelia’s eyes roll into the back of her head, and she passes out on the pavement, convulsing violently. My stomach churns at the sight.
Is that what Alessia looked like after rescuing me from the griffin?
I shake my head. Now is not the time to think about that. I return to Mina’s side, allowing Alessia to cradle her personal servant in her lap. She brushes Mina’s hair out of her face, her tears falling onto her cheeks one right after the other.
“Mina,” Alessia pleads, “wake up. Please, Mina.”
“I’m sorry,” the king apologizes. “She jumped in front of me to deflect the spell. She saved my life. I am ashamed.”
So, that’s why he’s so insistent, I note. Mina saved his life.
“Don’t be ashamed. It’s Daelia’s fault,” Alessia reminds him.
I hold Mina’s hand in my own, finding it still warm and full of life. I feel for her pulse, and to my surprise, it’s still holding strong. It’s not so fast that I’m worried, and not so slow as to cause suspicion of her taking a turn for the worst. I sigh with relief.
“Alessia, we should get her back to the palace,” I suggest. “We need to have the royal doctors take a look at her.”
“I understand. Father, please take care of her,” Alessia says, looking at him through teary eyes. “I have something to finish up here first.”
“I’ll take care of her like my own,” King Moonbreaker promises, bowing his head respectfully.
I look on in shock as a team of nurses and the king load Mina up into a stretcher and carry her out of the arena. The whole stadium watches them go in a respectful silence. Then, all eyes turn to Alessia, who stands up to address the crowd.
“People of Celestia,” she begins. “I have an announcement to make.”
I gasp as Alessia suddenly reaches down, grabs her sister by the back of her neck, and holds her up for all to see. Daelia is so pale, she looks on the verge of death.
“This heathen that we have called our Hero for too long has committed the greatest sin. Purposeful or not, she has used her ancient magic, a gift to the line of imperial humans, to harm one of our own. This offense is unforgivable.”
Alessia throws her sister down on the ground unceremoniously. I wince, but then I catch sight of the fire burning in her eyes, and I take a few paces back.
