A Kingdom so Crimson (The Lightbringer #1)

1. Chapter 1

1

M y legs started to burn from squatting on the thick branch as I stayed hidden within the tree's leaves. The wind whistled past, and I used the rustling of the leaves to blend my movements into the sound. My heartbeat pounded in my ears as I waited for any signs of Darius and his men to appear.

I played this game too often, and the routine of dull arrows and repeated games had grown tiresome. At least the arrows still stung on impact, and I could slash deeper with the dagger, leaving a more significant mark.

But this time, it was a test, and I had to follow the rules exactly: strike down, draw blood with the dagger, stay silent, and, most importantly, don't get caught.

I heard a snap, pulling my focus back to the game. I quickly aimed my bow toward the sound, blending into the tree trunk. Another snap, followed by the crunch of gravel to my left, signaled that they were trying to provoke me into making a move. Out of the corner of my eye, I spotted a sliver of green fabric that didn't quite blend into the brush beneath me. I steadied myself on the thick branch, waiting for more movement.

Another minute passed, and my arms began to ache from holding my position, still locked and ready to strike, when the man shifted, revealing a clearer target. I instantly released my arrow, striking the man down with an anguished cry.

A smile tugged at my lips as I repositioned myself, searching for more movement among the men who began to scramble nearby to avoid being hit, knowing my precision. My arrows found two more targets, swiftly bringing them down with angry cries. Yet, there were still three men left, plus Darius, that I had to take down to pass.

I quietly slid down the tree trunk, landing softly on the plush forest floor, and paused to listen. Birds sang in the distance, insects buzzed around me, and the gentle sound of water splashing from the stream behind added to the eerily quiet atmosphere.

Setting my bow and quiver aside, I reached for my dagger. Suddenly, a rush of black came barreling toward me when a swift punch landed squarely on my jaw, sending stars dancing across my vision as I held back a groan. Before I could recover, an arm wrapped tightly around my neck, yanking me backward and pinning me to his chest. I gasped for air, trying to find my footing. Gritting my teeth, I reached for my dagger, but before I could grab it, a sharp jab to my side sent pain shooting through me, leaving me limp. That was definitely going to leave a mark.

I dug my fingers into the man's arm as he tried to drag me away, squeezing the air from my lungs and leaving my body numb. Without thought, I whipped my head back, hearing a sickening crunch as pain exploded in my skull. He grunted before loosening his grip just enough for me to yank free and kick him away.

We sprang to our feet, daggers flashing as we circled each other in a deadly quiet dance. Blood trickled down his nose, and I couldn't help but smirk. All I needed to do was draw blood with the dagger or make him scream—I preferred the former.

Out of the corner of my eye, I caught sight of a blur of motion—a second man charging at me. Reacting instinctively, I launched myself at him, sliding on my knees and slicing his leg with my dagger. Blood oozed from the wound as he stumbled and fell to the ground.

Out.

He yelped instantly, throwing a lewd gesture my way, which only made me grin.

Double out.

The first man came charging at me from behind, nearly knocking me to the ground. I dodged just in time, watching him stumble to a halt. I scanned the area but couldn't sense Darius or the last man.

Pivoting quickly, I lunged at the man, now rushing to reposition himself. My fist connected solidly with his jaw, the impact sending a jolt of pain up my arm. Shaking off the sting, I flipped the dagger back toward my forearm as the man groaned—too quietly to be considered out.

He touched his swollen lip, spitting out blood, and his eyes turned feral. I grinned, shrugging mockingly to provoke his next move.

He lunged at me, his dagger slicing wildly through the air. I instinctively ducked, weaving away from his erratic strikes. Suddenly, his leg jutted out. I stumbled and collided with his fist, which hammered into my ribs, knocking the wind out of me. I held back an aching cough, clutching my stomach. Gritting my teeth, I quickly kicked his hand, sending his dagger flying. He snarled as I surged forward, blocking his next punch with my arm, and without hesitation, I slashed my dagger across his cheek, drawing a fresh line of blood.

He cursed loudly and shoved me away, a devilish grin spreading across my lips. Without missing a beat, I sprinted toward a thicket of bushes. But before I could reach them, another man emerged from hiding and tackled me to the ground. My head slammed against the dirt, stars dancing in my vision as sharp rocks cut into my cheek.

I struggled to break free, blinking through the disorientation. Then, I saw those unmistakable golden eyes grinning down at me. Calum. My breath caught in my throat as the confusion twisted into fierce, burning anger. He straddled me, his expression infuriatingly smug, and the sight of him sparked a fire in my veins.

He winked at me with a smirk, his eyes gleaming with a playfulness that sent fury surging through me. With a silent snarl, I twisted my hips, yanking him down, and shoving him off with a kick to his chest.

We scrambled to our feet, and he swung a punch at my side that I barely dodged, the force of it grazing my side. I retaliated with a swift kick to his legs, sending him crashing to the ground with a thud.

He laughed, marking him out, if he was ever in , and lounged on the ground with his hands behind his head, giving me another infuriating wink.

Rage boiled through me, and I readied to kick Calum in the side when Darius suddenly leaped out, slicing my sleeve and staining my green top with blood. A searing pain shot through my arm, and a crushing sense of defeat settled in my chest. I clutched my arm, cradling the wound.

Calum chuckled as he got to his feet, giving me a condescending pat on the back. "Good work, El," he said, quickly sauntering over to the men watching from a distance.

" You cheated ," I spat at Darius, heading for the tree where I had left my bow. Darius followed, his footsteps echoing behind me.

"You asked for something different, so I thought Calum would do the trick," he said with a smug grin. "Prepare for the unexpected, Eliah. Next time, you'll get it."

I shot him a fierce glare as I snatched up my quiver and bow, anger burning in my eyes. I stormed back to the courtyard, hearing Darius's light laughter as he patted the other men on the back. Calum was gone, which was for the best; if he'd been around, I'd have lost control and beaten him alive until he learned to stay the hell out of my evaluations.

After I ran several laps around the courtyard to burn off some steam from my surprise encounter with Calum, lunch awaited me. Darius knew how much I loathed sparring with Calum and used it to throw me off balance. Sweat dripped down my back and lined my braided coronet.

"Well, you look appalling," Jesri mocked as I sat across from him. He dug into his smoked lamb and buttered yams, stuffing his mouth with a smirk. I offered him a tight, annoyed smile before biting into my dry, cold meat and stale biscuit. At least he had the decency to get me some food.

"You smell like a pig, Eliah. Wash up and make yourself presentable for tonight. Sir Alder is coming, and I don't want an animal at my table," Jesri spat out, quickly dabbing his face with a napkin. He stood up and strode away, clearly acting as though it was unbearable to be in my presence.

I shook my head in annoyance and reached over to finish his juicy lamb. Jesri always had the servants give me anything that was going to waste, so savoring the last bit of his meal was a rare treat.

"I saw that," Calum said, leaping onto the pergola and flopping into Jesri's chair. His ruffled, dirty blond hair clung to his forehead, and sweat soaked through his shirt. I struggled to keep my face neutral as he took a bite of an apple, leaning back and propping his feet up on the wire table. His muscles tensed beneath his damp shirt, stirring a deep, unsettling anger in me. I forced myself to look away, trying not to stare at his sculpted chest.

"Come on, El, you have to admit that was pretty entertaining," he taunted.

I continued eating my cold meat and stale biscuit, refusing to give him the satisfaction. I closed my eyes, still chewing the tough meat, and breathed in the fresh spring air, letting the wind cool my flushed face.

"Hey, don't blame me; it was Darius's idea," Calum said, his smile infuriatingly casual.

I clenched my jaw. "You accepted it and clearly enjoyed watching me fail. You know how crucial this is for me."

He pursed his lips, his dimples showing as he grinned. "At least you'll be stuck here with me a little longer," he said, sounding almost pleased.

I rolled my eyes, barely containing my fury. "As if you enjoy my company, Cal. Don't pretend. You're itching to be rid of me so you can galavant with all the ladies without a forced companion."

He furrowed his brows, about to argue.

"Tonight, we're meeting my supposed mentor. Don't screw it up, or I swear, I will slice your skin off while you sleep," I spat out, my anger barely contained. I was done with this conversation, and honestly, I did smell like an animal. This unusually warm spring was making me desperate for a bath.

"Don't tempt me," he smirked, his expression maddeningly unbothered, knowing I would never do such a thing to him.

I rolled my eyes, struggling to keep myself from smacking his infuriatingly handsome face. I started to walk away, but Calum grabbed my arm, making me hiss in pain.

" Tyran, Cal !" I cursed, glaring at him as I clutched the makeshift bandage that had already soaked through from the wound Darius gave me.

Calum stepped back, his hands raised defensively. "I forgot, I swear."

I grunted in frustration, throwing him a rude gesture before storming off.

"Oh, come on, El! Can't you just have some fun like we used to?" he called after me.

I stopped dead in my tracks. " Fun ?" I spun around to face him, my voice dripping with anger. "When have I ever been allowed to have fun , Cal?"

He chuckled with a wicked glint in his eye. "Don't let Jesri get to you like that. You can do whatever you want."

I laughed out loud. Evidently, Calum needed to learn his uncle better. Since Jesri found me at his perfect party as an infant, he never stopped grueling me about who I was: an orphan with no fortune or family who cared, and the only remnants of a dowry was a torn parchment with my name on it. Still, I question why Jesri kept me, except to use me as a pawn to gain access into the King's Court by status.

Jesri was a snake and never allowed me the freedom that Calum enjoyed. Even as a child, I was constantly under his control. I used to sneak off with Calum, engaging in childish mischief and enjoying myself briefly. But those moments were fleeting and were quickly overshadowed by the crushing realization that my arrogant parents would never return. Year after year, no one came, and Jesri was always there to remind me of that harsh reality.

I lost hope and let my anger fuel within me, falling deep into the training Jesri demanded I take. He made Darius teach me how to yield a sword and a bow and to know how to strike someone with enough force to kill, all before I even turned ten.

I stopped complaining or questioning Jesri after he locked me in my room for two days without food and said it was to help me obtain survival skills, knowing all too well it was because I refused the offer to help get him a lady into his bed chambers—I was only twelve.

I clenched my hands in rage and disgust, the memories surging back like a tidal wave, each sharper and more venomous than the last. Calum, with all his charm and good looks—something I'd never admit out loud—was a hollow reflection of his uncle, Jesri. Arrogant, selfish, and driven by nothing but his own desires. We might have grown up under the same roof, but he was never a brother to me, and now that I'm older, I'm not sure he was ever a true friend. He had become a stranger in familiar skin, a poised parasite who thrived on the attention and admiration of others while still somehow worming his charm through me yet keeping me in the shadows.

However, I cared for him, not because he deserved it, but because he was the only one who let me be myself, who let me be free. But as we got older, he changed and warped that fragile bond between us into something I couldn't recognize. Turning more into the very snake he calls family and wanting what Jesri wants—money, women, and status—while I longed for something he could never understand: freedom.

But Cal was willing to sell it all, even the pieces of himself, for the sake of ambition. And that, more than anything, made my blood boil.

I stomped away, not caring to argue with him any longer. He scowled, throwing his hands up, and turned away, walking back towards Darius and his men patrolling the estate.

Heading for the door inside, I sucked in a deep breath calming myself and my energy for tonight. My stomach churned, knowing I was allowing them to control me like a puppet, yet I had a knife but wasn't willing to cut the strings.