Chapter 24 Ariana
ARIANA
Three days later I stood lost amongst the mass of my people, with a few Lysians lingering around me. It was the day either I or someone else became the new Leader Superior.
I felt foolish for believing that I could lead my people toward a brighter future. As I stood amongst them, doubt doused me in anxiety. What made me special enough to lead? Conjuring abilities did not make a good leader. Had the Spirit meant to choose me? It was as though I was an imposter.
I had been bathed and dressed up appropriately for the part.
Edda made sure of that. I was swathed in a cream dress with whimsical patterns threaded throughout.
The fabric hugged my body until it reached my hips, where it then flowed down the length of my legs.
Several slits cut into the skirt of the gown, allowing for effortless movement.
I was packaged as if I already was the Leader Superior, but I was not—at least not yet.
I stood before my people with Lysians at my back.
In a way, I had welcomed their control. By giving them Fraser, I ensured my people had no choice but to bend to the Lysians.
I betrayed the Bavadrin oath and gave our leader to an enemy who invaded our homes, spreading fear and doubt.
Before ever becoming a leader, my choices brought so much unease and turmoil to my city.
But what choice did I have? Fraser was the one who truly brought the destruction to our home. The decisions I made after were to keep things from completely falling apart, and to spare as many lives as I could.
And now, as I stood before my people, it was their choice whether to accept me. No matter what they decided, I would continue to fight for them. That realization brought me a sense of peace.
Familiar golden eyes found me from across the room while we waited for things to begin.
Willis. We nodded to one another in recognition.
I wanted to run to him, but the weight of what was about to happen kept my feet cemented to the ground.
A handsome smile found its way to his lips, and he winked.
People moved between us, and he disappeared into the crowd.
I lost track of him just as quickly as I found him.
Edda clicked her tongue, and the room went silent. “I have news to share. The Spirit has chosen our very own Ariana to ascend to become the Leader Superior of our people.” Her voice floated through the space as if carried by the wind though there was absolutely no breeze.
“Why does everyone listen to her?” Erik bent down and whispered the question in my ear. His proximity warmed my skin.
“She was an adviser to the past Superior. And she is ancient, which equates to wisdom for some. So, the people listen,” I replied, trying to focus on anything but the feel of the Lysian King standing so close to me.
Edda’s black gaze snapped to me as if she heard my remark before she turned and addressed the room once more. “Is there anyone who opposes Ariana’s claim as the chosen Superior?”
“I do.” A male’s voice cut through the space. I immediately recognized it and cringed. Shal.
Of course, he was going to be the one to think he should rule. There was no way he could take our people anywhere good.
Erik and the entire Lysian party turned to look at the man who voiced his challenge.
They looked out of pure curiosity, for there was no need to size him up.
Any Lysian could crush him with little effort.
No matter who became the next Leader Superior, the Lysians would remain in control.
They had the power, the fire conjuring King.
The Lysians had no skin in what was about to happen. They would simply take whoever was chosen to lead next.
I thought back to what I knew of ascending and what happened when someone opposed a claim.
The Leader Superior is chosen by the blood of the Spirit’s choosing, and the opposed will fall by blood drawn. I needed something to draw blood.
Cursing under my breath, I turned to the Lysians near me.
“I need a dagger,” I whispered to Erik and Kole, my voice low. Bavadrins already did not like Lysian presence, let alone the fact that they were hovering around me. I did not need them seeing Lysians helping me too.
The two turned to me in unison.
“Why?” Erik asked, brows drawn. His jaw set tight, lips pressed into a displeased line.
“I don’t have time to explain.” I glanced to Edda, who was making her way toward Shal.
“I swear I will not use it against any of you.” My attention shifted towards Erik’s narrowed gaze.
Were they nervous I would somehow turn a dagger on them and be victorious with nothing more than a single blade?
More likely, they were afraid of losing their prized Bavadrin, though it should not have mattered.
No matter who won, the Lysians would keep their control, at least for the time being. “Please.”
Iver placed a hand on his brother’s shoulder. “Awh, come on Erik, just let her have one. She clearly can never hope to defeat a Lysian with no more than a little dagger.”
Evidently, he and I agreed, though I was unsure if I liked that.
Across the room, Edda stepped in front of Shal, viewing him coldly. “Very well.” She turned. “Any others?”
The moment of silence fell thickly. The pressure of it weighed heavy on my chest.
“In that case, I ask that everyone clear the center of the room, and the two laying claim to please move into the opening. Shal and Ariana.”
Time was up.
“Fine,” I murmured in irritation. It was up to the Spirit to help if I was deemed worthy enough.
Erik moved before I took a step toward the center. His hand took hold of mine and I felt something cool slide into my palm. His fingers let go of my wrist, freeing me. I took the blade and shoved it into the dagger pocket of my dress.
“Be careful,” he warned, his voice low. Dark blue eyes pinned me before I peeled my attention from him.
“Thank you.” I was already moving towards Edda and my opponent in the opening created as people parted, leaving the center of the room empty as they pressed closer to the walls.
Shal stood in full view, a scowl splayed on his face.
He was taller than I yet seemed somehow shorter than I remembered.
His brown hair was bound by a single thick braid running down his back.
He threw his shoulders back and his chest forward as if to make himself appear even larger.
Perhaps it would have caused me to hesitate at one point in time, but I now lived with Lysians.
Shal could try to make himself seem as big and robust as he desired, none of it would ever compare to the strength and skill of those I just stood amongst.
“The two of you will remain in this circle until either one of you recedes your claim or blood is spilled. The one who bleeds will be marked as not worthy to lead.” Edda’s voice echoed throughout the room.
Glancing around, I found myself surrounded by my people. There was a potent strength in their presence. My entire life, I feared being noticed in such a manner, always surviving in part by hiding—but not anymore.
I would help pull my people from the shadows Fraser thrust upon them, for I was not the only one tormented by him.
No longer would they need to live in fear.
No longer would the women be used as a currency amongst those deemed the select.
No longer would our own be driven out of the capitol.
I would take back the Bavadrin people from the Lysians, and I would protect them till my dying breath.
When I looked at those surrounding me, fear shone in their eyes, in some I saw hate, but overwhelmingly, there was hope. Despite the blood running through my veins, they believed in me. They did not fear me. I was not simply my father’s daughter.
Edda cut across the room and rushed to the Lysians. She firmly placed her hand on Erik’s chest. Was he afraid of harm falling to his prized prisoner? I wondered what Edda said to keep him in his place.
“I wish I could say it’s good to see you, Ariana, but you reek of them.
” Shal’s voice was cold, bringing my attention to him once more.
Tanned skin stretched over a solid muscular body.
However, most of it was for show. Muscles did not make someone strong, especially with a mind as weak as his.
It was easy to turn cruel when life was hard.
Shal used the pain of others as steppingstones for his success, climbing till he reached the highest tier possible.
Unfortunately for him, he reached his top and was about to tumble back down to the bottom.
He was so starved for Fraser’s love that he blinded himself to the fact that most did not harbor the same affections for Fraser, and for his little follower.
“Not pleased to see an old friend?” I asked. We were friends, once. That seemed like a different life.
It was before he decided to crawl up Fraser’s butt and make a home there. And began wishing to put a collar around my neck. Ever since I turned of age, he watched me with a darkness in his eyes.
I wondered how different Shal may have ended up without Fraser tainting his soul. I never knew why as a boy he turned to such a bitter man, seeking affection from the one who was incapable of it.
“I would have preferred to see Fraser instead,” Shal replied with a cruel smile.
Anger blossomed inside my chest. After everything Shal witnessed, he wished for Fraser’s continued rule. Shal was there when that monster butchered my mother. He stood by my side when my world turned upside down. And now he craved for that monster’s rebirth.
The man before me could not be allowed to take control. He was no leader. He was only a follower of a madman.
I always did my best not to hate people.
To try and understand that most hurt others because they themselves were in pain.
Yet, I couldn’t help but feel bitter hatred as a pit in my stomach at that moment.
With every breath, that loathing grew fiery roots and spouted.
It moved through my limbs, intertwining itself with the anger growing within me.
It was as though the flame within was consuming me, leaving behind a cold stone void of any feeling at all.
With that hate, I found myself enveloped in a strange calm.
“That can be arranged,” I answered lowly.
The threat didn’t go unnoticed.
If he wished to be with Fraser so severely, I wouldn’t stand in the way of such desire.
His smile widened in response. “Tell me, were you the cause of his death?”
It felt as though ice slid down my spine. Had he assumed I had a part in it, or did someone tell him something?
I did not reply. To say no would have been a lie, and I was not going to enter the seat of the Superior on a blatant lie.
I wanted to look at those around us to see whether his insinuations gave them pause, but if I did so, I risked showing an unease with the question.
If I had nothing to hide, then I would not need to confirm their belief in me.
So instead, I kept my eyes trained only on Shal.
Instead, I said, “Fraser’s actions led to his ending.” That was undoubtedly true.
“And now you hope to lead my people?” Shal’s gaze narrowed. Confidence rolled off him. It was impressive. He never possessed a spark of such potent confidence before. He worked at the will and pleasure of Fraser. Our late Leader Superior had been Shal’s entire world.
“I plan on leading our people,” I clarified.
He opened his mouth to reply, but I cut him off. “You and I have hardly spoken a word to one another over these past several years, so why all of a sudden are you so talkative?”
“Fine.” He pulled a sword free. “I fight for the great Fraser and the Bavadrin people!” His lips curved at the side into an arrogant smile, as if he had already won before ever beginning.
Shal was not the brightest.
He was so blinded by admiration that he did not realize just how much favor Fraser had lost with his people. They followed him because of his title, not because they genuinely wanted to, and certainly not because they harbored love for him.
Briefly, my eyes slid shut.
Spirit, help me. Guide me.
Something otherworldly flowed into me, bringing with it an odd sense of peace.
With a deep breath, my eyes fluttered open.
Mother, give me your strength.
Standing in the ring, I didn’t fear the outcome of that day. Instead, I pitied the soul that dared to oppose me.
I stepped forward, accepting Shal’s challenge.
Both of our lives were about to be forever changed.