Chapter 12 #3
We are two well-trained predators ready to maul the other at the first opportunity.
I’m thankful that he isn’t yielding to me.
I shed my fair share of blood and sweat training to defeat him.
This is my chance to prove to myself that every scrape and burning muscle was worth it.
If I can take down the prince, no opponent will be undefeatable.
“Are you sure you wouldn’t rather dance, princess?” He tosses his weapon in the air, sending it flipping before he catches it.
“Does the uncertainty of what I’ll do next make you nervous, or have you become comfortable with your plush new life and fear that your skills are lacking?” I mockingly ask.
He licks his lips and tucks them between his teeth to hide his smile. With long strides, he moves toward me. “Statera, I love your sassy mouth. Will you put it to good use for me when I claim my reward?”
My gaze darts to Greer, and I reach toward her. With a curl of my fingers, streams of water manifest from her fingertips and rush toward me. I kick back my arm and throw the water at Kyron, drenching him. “Sorry, it looked like you needed a cold bath.”
He laughs, wiping the water from his face. “You’ve learned to summon other people’s gifts without them doing it first.”
“Among other things.”
He stalks toward me and unfurls his fingers. A ball of fire forms in his palm and he zeros in on me. His lips turn up and exhilaration flashes in his eyes. I pose a real challenge to his extraordinary gifts, and he appears thrilled to put me to the test.
“Don’t hold back,” I say, lifting my sword and bracing for what’s to come.
He hurls the flame. It speeds through the air like a shooting star trailing through the sky. With little effort, I catch the ball and crush it in my fist.
“It’s time to quit fucking around and fight me,” I say.
The outer edges of the ring fall silent, and the buzz of power intensifies.
Rumbling earth, sizzling electricity, frigid ice, shadows, fire, water, plants—every element comes alive for the Eporri and waits for my direction.
I will need them all if I’m to work out my frustration for the man across from me and win this fight.
Kyron’s shadows whirl around him and he disappears into smoke.
I spin and send out that luring power that resides inside me, searching for a particular sensation.
As if I’m dipping my finger in one wine flute after another, I test each of the gifts humming around the ring, looking for the warmth I associate with only one.
The Eporri connects to the power I’m looking for.
I duck and sweep out my leg, hitting something hard and unseen.
I spin around as the shadows waver, giving me a peek of the prince lying on his back in the dirt.
I grab the power of a Jorden in the crowd and will it to shake the ground beneath Kyron.
He grasps for purchase, but he can’t get his legs to steady and falls to his ass.
Rolling forward, he grips my ankle and tugs.
I land on my back, all the air leaving my lungs.
With wide eyes, I watch as he scrambles to his feet and points his weapon at me.
I work through the burn in my chest as I skitter back.
He swings down. I catch his blade with mine, taking the opportunity to pull his fire from him and toss it at his feet.
He dances back, giving me enough room to jump up. With a fresh breath of air in my lungs, I press forward. We duel at a steady pace of swings, jabs, and blocks. There’s no sign of either of us slowing down, both wanting to take this victory.
Kyron rolls a flame in his free hand and chucks it at my feet to trip me up. But I’m ready for his attempt. I blast him with a flash of light and bring an Electro’s gift to me. I deliver quick jolts of electricity to him, giving him a good zap that sends him back a few paces.
“Fuck!” he growls, swinging harder, faster.
Kyron’s skill with a sword is excellent, and I struggle to keep up.
Each of his advances is quick, and my arms burn from blocking them.
My footing isn’t as practiced as his. I stumble several times as our weapons meet with a jarring thud.
It’s almost too much to keep up with until he thrusts his blade, nearly missing my chest.
It’s time to best him the only way I can.
I whip my arm over my head and a gust of wind rips the sword from Kyron’s hand.
It lands across the ring, leaving him unarmed.
His entire hand lights up, burning red and orange.
He flicks his wrists, and the fire blazes toward me.
I yank at an Aquatera’s power, countering him with a rush of water.
He pushes harder, the cords in his neck straining and sweat beading at his brow.
I smile.
A flash of blinding light and the ground beneath his feet freezes.
Kyron slips on the ice, and his raging inferno turns into sad puffs of smoke that falter before they reach me.
His arms fling back to break his fall, but I already have him.
The vines that climb the oak tree on the border of the field stretch and bend, wrapping around his arms. They slither over his waist, holding him upright and unable to move.
I call his shadows, and like a beloved pet, they swirl around me as I approach him.
“You failed to disclose how comfortable you’ve become with the Eporri,” he says.
“You failed to ask, prince. And I enjoy the element of surprise.”
“How many can you control at once?”
“All of them.” I pull on his Cognus gift and use it to read his emotions. “I feel your admiration.”
He shakes his head and the smile on his lips testifies to the pleasure he finds in this moment. “Claim your victory, princess.”
I close the distance between us and press the tip of my sword to the base of his throat. He doesn’t fight or struggle to move away, instead he surrenders to me.
I lower my voice, wanting my words to stay between us. “I’m offering you my complete trust, Kyron LeFur. Leave me out of your future plans, betray my people, or fuck with my emotions, and I will slice you throat to dick.”
His throat bobs. A mixture of pride and regret paint his facial features. “I’ll never do that to you again.”
“I hope you don’t.”
“May the Statera hear my vow and forever bind me to it. From now until my dying day, I dedicate my body, mind, and heart to you. Do with me as you please, Raelle Mansi.”
My heart thunders in my chest, and my breath hitches. “What are you doing, Kyron?”
“I thought it was clear. I’m vowing to serve you.”
“You can’t do that. It’s impossible to rule Stigian and serve me at the same time.”
He lowers his head. “But I will. I bow to no one but you.”
I can’t deny the resolve in his tone. He will put me above his kingdom. Stigian could be on fire, and he would let it burn to the ground if I asked him to. He will follow me into war, defy his mother, and renounce his crown all for me. Kyron is placing his life in my hands at the risk of his own.
“Is this what you truly want?” I ask.
“Yes.”
I lift to the tips of my toes and press my lips to his cheek. “So let it be until your dying breath, my parah.”
“So be it.”
Holding his gaze, I drag the blade of my sword over his heart. I don’t look at the trail of red dusting his body. I can’t stand the thought of administering a deathblow to him, even if it’s fake. Swallowing down the bile raising in my throat, I turn away.
The astonished crowd parts for me, many of them bowing their heads in reverence, others with their mouths gaping. I focus straight ahead, not caring what any of them think. The purpose of this match will take hold, or it won’t, but the words spoken on the field will last forever.
I flick my wrist over my shoulder, commanding the vines to release Kyron.