Sarkal clenched his fists, trying to control the emotions that appeared on his face like colors applied on a canvas with a brush. He’d hoped that his reluctant suspicions would turn out to be wrong and this hope came true, but relief turned to pain, and pain turned to anger. It occurred to Lannahi that this must have been how her father looked when he’d learned of his brother’s death, and her heart squeezed with grief. Goldenshadows might once again plunge into war.
Asirri gently touched her husband’s arm. “The next Post Trail doesn’t open until this evening,” she said softly. “Let’s use this time to spend it as you have wished for so long.”
For a moment it seemed like an attempt to persuade the storm to stop thundering, but when Sarkal finally tore his gaze away from his wife and looked at Lannahi, the whirlwind of feelings visible in his eyes a moment earlier had surceased. “Will you spend some time with your old parents, daughter?”
Overcoming the lump that suddenly rose in her throat, Lannahi smiled and said, “With pleasure.”
Over the next six days, not a single person used the word “defeat” in her presence. Her guards practiced with her as if they truly believed she had a chance to win, and Souhi and Blann walked with her through the forest, talking with her as if they didn’t know it might be their last conversation together. Her parents returned, this time bringing musicians and her siblings with them, and like the landshapers, who covered themselves with a shell of silence, none of the guests uttered a word about the impending Challenge. Even Lizaar, who must have feared the future as much as Lannahi, acted as if nothing was threatening the city.
Only Ashared’s behavior changed. When he knew she had company, he snuck off into the forest and didn’t return for hours. When they were alone, if running quelled his frustration, he was tender and patient, but when he returned restless, he pulled them both into a violent, animalistic passion. On the last evening, he could no longer mask his desperation.
“Why didn’t you stay a singer, Lannahi?” he asked hoarsely when she lay sweaty in his arms. “We could have settled in the Free City. You could create and sing for days. You wouldn’t have to… You wouldn’t have to fight.”
Lannahi answered after a long moment. “That day in the Black Arena, Nefari didn’t challenge me out of malice. She did it at the behest of my brother. Without my knowledge, my father had asked him to protect me and that was his interpretation. At worst, I would have been considered harmless and useful as a spy. At best, I would have attracted the attention of a powerful man who would have taken care of me.”
Feeling Ashared’s muscles tense, she stroked his chest. “Even if I lived in the remotest part of the Continent,” she continued quietly, “even if no one recognized me, it wouldn’t change who I am. If I got in the way of the powerful fae, my choice would be no different from the one I have now.”
Ashared didn’t reply. She snuggled closer to him and brushed his neck with her lips. “Letiri told me that you were the first to start applauding that day,” she muttered. “Is this true?”
The muscles in his throat moved when he swallowed. “You were fragile, yet brave,” he rasped out. “Proud in your weakness and devastating in your grace.” He stroked her back. “You were an element that these arrogant fools couldn’t appreciate.”
She kissed him, turning his anger into passion.
“I love you,” she whispered.
“I love you,” he replied.
They didn’t need more words.
***
Nimmat appeared at the palace on the seventh day. Since there wasn’t much time left until the Royal Duel, only Lizaar, Ashared, Nuadd, and Kalahadd were present in the throne room in addition to the enchanters and the Arbiter’s guards, but Nimmat performed the ritual as if there were crowds before them.
“Lannahi, Queen of Goldfrost, I received a message that you want to exercise your right and free your slave. Do you stand by your decision?”
“I do,” Lannahi replied.
Nimmat turned to the red-haired woman. “Lizaar, slave of Queen Lannahi. Your mistress gives you back your freedom. On behalf of the Arbiter Council, I proclaim that today your slavery has come to an end.”
Lizaar inclined her head. Although she must have been dreaming of this moment for weeks, there was no relief on her face. “Why did you do this?” she asked, meeting Lannahi’s gaze. “Why did you reach for the crown when you knew it would end this way?”
Lannahi smiled. “I wanted to try.”
Chapter 31
The stands were full. On the day Lannahi had fought Lizaar, the spectators were mostly enchanters and landshapers, but the current audience resembled the Royal Sabbath in diversity. Fae from across the Continent was curious to see what would come from the duel. It was no question that Nihhal would win against Lannahi, but what would happen afterwards? How would Sarkal react? Was war on the horizon? And who would pick up the pieces when it was all over?
Like her, Nihhal was dressed in tunic armor, but instead of a knife, he held a coiled chain in his hand. He had no other weapon, which was both an insult to Lannahi and a message to those who came to watch the Duel. Nihhal was not going to fight to the death. Neither hers nor his own. He intended to win a slave.
And he was confident he would succeed.
Lannahi lowered her gaze. She too knew that the outcome was a foregone conclusion. She’d lost.
When the Arbiter proceeded with their recitation, Lannahi focused on the words she wanted to scream at the crowd.
Nihhal is a cheater and a traitor. He cursed me before the Duel began.
“At the last Royal Sabbath, Nihhal from Grasswall issued a Challenge against Lannahi, Queen of Goldfrost,” Bastet said. “Fate decided that their duel would take place today.”
