“So, three fights and then the traditional Rites begin?”
“Yes, and then you can go back to the castle and rest.”
I shook my head. “I’ve announced a ball, in case you’ve forgotten.”
“So, you intend to move forward with the plan? Injured?”
“I do.” I faced forward as Attoc’s fighters walked out.
“Where did that beast come from?” I asked Inok while gesturing to the massive male swinging two broadswords like they were rapiers—akin to my own weapons of choice.
“That’s Attoc’s top fighter, I think. The one Brax told you to pick. I believe he has come from the Wind Court. Giant for sure.”
“Hm. Let’s see what he can do with those swords.”
The opposing fighters faced each other and bowed. They were from the same pit, so I imagined they had fought before. They took a step away, and the larger male swung his sword in great arches again. The sound of the swords whooshing through the air was beautiful.
The smaller contender held a shorter sword, and though it wasn’t something I would have chosen against the giant, I had to believe he knew what he was doing. They circled each other for a few minutes until the crowd buzzed, urging them to move. But rather than do anything, the smaller opponent took a knee and placed his sword in the sand. A forfeit.
The fae in the stands booed and hissed as the two fighters exited the arena. A forfeit was allowed in the Trials, but it was rare and usually came once defeat was imminent. I could tell that was Attoc’s order. Although it was cowardice, he wanted to keep his top fighter uninjured and energized for the final match.
“You know the people are going to eat him alive for that later,” Inok said.
“Yes, quite so, but it was smart.”
There was a small break between the next two fights, and I used that time to meet with the draconians once again. I didn’t move fast and had to apply my salve before I could go back, but I had faith in the plan and had to see it through.
“All set?” Inok asked me.
I shrugged. “As much as we can be, I suppose.”
He nodded and faced forward as Brax and his opponent stepped out.
Chapter 34
ARA
Iknow you consider my offer, strange one, the dragon continued to hiss in my mind.Tell me, what would it take to keep you?
I held my face neutral so that Fen was unaware, and somewhere deep within my mental shield, I tried to think of a way to turn this in my favor. Could I outsmart a dragon? I moved between the layers of that shield, attempting to find a way out of this. I turned to see the pale face of Kai as his wound continued to bleed. It wasn’t fatal, not for fae, but it would hurt like hell, and if we did nothing, eventually the wound would be.
“There,” Greeve said so that only the three of us standing at the front of the cage would hear him. His eyes shifted to the left, and Fen and I watched as the ground subtly changed, small footprints left behind.
“Don’t move,” I said loudly to Kai, who was already not moving. “I bet that big fucker sleeping back there has the keys. We’ll never convince him to give them to us with you squirming like food.” Wren, hidden behind her magic, stopped and inched away, Lichen in tow. They were slow, but I watched their footprints press into the ground as they went.
He would never give them up,the dragon said just outside of my mental shield.
I made eye contact with the lemon-colored beast and watched a smile creep across its giant serpentine face as it felt my submission. Fen was already pissed at me. If he knew, he’d lose his shit.
I will make a deal with you, beast.
I felt him sliver around my mind, and I said a silent prayer that this would go to plan.
Do tell, he said.
I will agree to stay here and be your pet or whatever you want without ever trying to escape or leave you if you can answer three questions correctly.
And if I lose, strange one?
