The muscles of Lannahi’s face tightened. She couldn’t open her mouth.
“Nihhal,” Bastet turned to the man. “Do you uphold your Challenge?”
“Yes.”
Nihhal is a cheater and a traitor. He cursed me before the Duel began.
“Is there anything you wish to say to your opponent?”
“No,” Nihhal replied with a smile.
Lannahi’s chest stopped moving. Her lungs forgot to breathe.
Nihhal is a cheater and a traitor…
“Then you have one minute to get into position,” Bastet finished the formalities and started retreating to the edge of the arena.
Lannahi did not move.
“You aren’t going to try to run away, Lannahi?” Nihhal asked jokingly. “It’s a bit disappointing. I was hoping for some fun.”
She didn’t answer because she couldn’t. She didn’t raise her gaze because she didn’t want his face to be the last thing she saw before she died.
Nihhal is a cheater and a traitor. He cursed me before the Duel began.
“Are you angry with me?” Nihhal’s amusement grew. “Or are you so eager to serve me?”
“Begin!” the Arbiter’s voice echoed.
The pain in her chest intensified. She craved air. Sheneededair…
When it became clear that Lannahi wasn’t going to make any move, Nihhal slowly started toward her. “Are you trying to lure me into a trap, Lady Lannahi?” he asked. “Or do you want to give yourself to me voluntarily?”
Lannahi felt dizzy. She sank to her knees. She tried to catch herself, but it occurred to her that it was pointless, and she let her body fall to the ground. Her gaze landed on the crowd, but she closed her eyes before she could recognize anyone.
For a moment there was a silence. Only after a while did Nihhal’s voice come from somewhere in the distance.
“Lannahi… Fuck.”
He got to her in a few steps. He knelt and turned her from side to back. “You have to live, Lannahi,” he commanded. “Live, do you hear me?Live!”
Her lungs took a deep breath.
No, she thought desperately.Nihhal is a cheater and a traitor. Nihhal is a cheater and a traitor…
Two conflicting orders ripped through her body. One was telling her to die, the other—to live.
Blood flowed freely from her nose.
“No.” There was a feverish note in Nihhal’s voice, but he was wise enough to take her in his arms and whisper in her ear, “I revoke all my orders, Lannahi.”
Her lungs took another breath.
No, Lannahi thought feeling tears gathering in her eyes.No, no, no!
Despite her conscious protest, her body fought for life, too thirsty for air to care about anything else.
When her breathing began to calm, Nihhal said, “Surrender, Lannahi. It will save you pain.”
