Chapter 37
Chapter Thirty-Seven
A thick layer of mist shrouds the palace training grounds this morning, which I use to my advantage. With a twist of my wrist, the moisture responds, coalescing into a shield formed of half mist, half liquid.
Agnar’s stone shards shatter against my barrier like glass, and droplets scatter across the field. I discovered this trick while merging with Lark and have since learned to implement it on my own.
Reactive magic.
Until disturbed, the magic looks like nothing, and it requires no extra effort from me in order to become deadly. My fingers tingle with the cold, the familiar numbness that arrives whenever I push my elemental abilities this far.
Witnessing Agnar’s frustrated grimace is well worth the discomfort.
“You call that a water shield?” His blue eyes gleam. He summons more earth from the ground beneath us, fashioning soil into lethal spikes with nothing but a flick of his fingers. “I’ve seen better protection from a leaky roof.”
I maintain the barrier with little strain. The water molecules hum with energy, ready to shift with a thought. “At least my element doesn’t require me to grunt like a constipated bear every time I use it.”
I lift a sphere of water from the nearby barrels with ease. The liquid hangs suspended in the air, glinting in the morning light like crystal.
Agnar narrows his eyes. “Like this, you mean?”
He stomps his foot hard enough that vibrations travel up my legs. “The grunting is part of the technique. Creates intimidation.”
The ground rumbles and pitches to the left. I stumble and lose my concentration just enough that my water sphere splatters to the ground.
A laugh escapes me. “Is that what you tell yourself to feel better? No wonder Blair always said you had the subtlety of a landslide.”
The mention of Blair dims Agnar’s smile. Though months have passed since his death, the loss still hurts like hells.
Needing to lighten the mood before the heaviness takes over, I flick my fingers, splashing a gentle spray of water across his face.
“Hey!” He sputters and pushes his coppery hair out of his eyes. “That’s fighting dirty.”
“Never pretended to fight any other way.” I roll my shoulders and gather more water. The element spirals around my forearms, hardening to ice where it touches my skin while remaining supple on the outside. Perfect for deflecting attacks.
Agnar nods, and his expression grows more serious. “You really think you can take Zeru’s champion? These gods don’t play fair.”
“I don’t need fair.” I craft the water into a series of ice daggers. “I just need to win.”
“Okay, but if I were you—”
I still as something shifts the air around us.
Something divine.
The water rings around Agnar’s head shiver and disperse without my command. The earth beneath our feet stills, as if holding its breath.
The familiar prickling sensation of being watched by a being greater than myself crawls over my scalp. Though I’ve experienced the sensation before in Rivlan’s presence, this feels heavier. More oppressive.
Agnar’s lip quivers, his attention fixed on a point beyond my shoulder. “Sterling…”
I pivot slowly, already knowing what I’ll find.
The air shimmers, and reality folds open in smoldering sparks of light as the God of the Heavens comes forth. The radiance from his crown of stars materializes first.
I wondered if this asshole planned on making an appearance.
Blazing with starlight, Zeru’s form burns too brightly to stare at directly. Gazing at him is the equivalent of peering into the sun. Divine power radiates from him.
My stomach clenches, reacting to the energy.
“Awww, fuck.” Agnar tosses his blade to the ground in a gesture that’s half respectful, half resignation.
I remain standing, my water still circling my arms, though the element now trembles against my will. The god’s presence interferes with magic. Particularly mine, it seems. No doubt a deliberate move.
Zeru’s gaze—like the sun at its highest peak—settles on me.
It’s not like the spring sun that dapples through the leaves, painting those below the canopy in warmth, or even the hot summer sun that roasts those clad in leather and metal armor.
No, this is the type of radiation that blisters human skin. Direct and unrelenting rays that wither feathers and evaporate every last bit of moisture from your throat.
Centuries of divine judgment bolster that power.
Fuck. Why is he here? This can’t be good.
My chest tightens with apprehension, but I remain calm and resolute. No matter the purpose of Zeru’s visit, no amount of intimidation will prevent me from standing as Rivlan’s champion. I’ve already sealed my commitment to the God of Water.
I straighten my back, allowing the water around my arms to dissipate. No point in pretending I can command the element effectively in his presence.
But I’ll be damned if I bow to him.
Zeru glides forward, his celestial form rippling.
The air around him glimmers, distorting the ground’s boundaries as if the world itself bends to accommodate his presence.
That veil fades just enough for me to discern his features.
Golden hair, brilliant smile, and gold eyes, all reflecting the light that emanates from his skin.
His expression is carefully composed into something resembling fatherly concern, his brow furrowed. The effect is akin to tying a bow around a wolf’s neck. No attempts at masking can hide the animal’s underlying predatory nature.
“Prince Knox.” My formal name chimes in his otherworldly voice. “I understand your reservations. Truly, I do. You and your queen are in a difficult position.”
My skin hums with irritation, but I say nothing. Zeru isn’t here for an explanation. Gods don’t visit mortals to understand. In their arrogance, they believe they already know everything about us.
Agnar inches closer to me, his shoulders tense.
“Tirene has suffered greatly in recent years. War. Betrayal. The transition of power twice in so few years.” Zeru’s fingers trail starlight as he gestures.
“And now you align yourself with Rivlan’s interests.
” His tone shifts to admonishing. “You’re being foolish by tying yourself to his side of this conflict. ”
I work to keep my face neutral, careful not to show my disdain.
The god’s responding smile doesn’t reach his eyes. “Something you should know. Rivlan usually chooses the underdog. The ones with little chance of surviving.”
So I’m the fucking underdog? Does that mean he’s already chosen a champion, or is he blowing smoke out of his ass to scare me? “Was there a reason for your visit, or did you come here just to hear yourself talk?”
“Careful. You would do well to remember who you speak to. But I’ll let that little comment slide just this once.
” Zeru’s eyes adopt a menacing gleam as he motions to the field, where puddles from our training still remain.
“I’ve been watching you. Your power has grown. Your command of magic is impressive.”
His compliment attempts to flatter me and gain my compliance, but the divine attention leaves me cold.
Zeru tilts his head to one side as if deliberating something. Then he offers a condescending smirk. “I can make things right. Secure your future and Tirene’s. You only need to switch sides. Fight as my champion instead.”
Ah.
The true purpose of his visit.
Question is, why in the three hells do two different gods want me as their champion?
I dip into a shallow bow, skirting the line between respectful and mocking. “I’m sorry, but I’ve already given my word to Rivlan.”
“Words can be easily broken in light of my offer.” Zeru waves a glowing hand as if my vow is of no importance. “You’d gain substantial benefits by aligning with me. I always show gratitude to those who help me.”
Contempt prickles my spine, but I bite my tongue. As much as I dislike this arrogant dickhead, I know better than to piss him off.
“My gratitude,” Zeru struts closer, the light from his crown and skin blinding me, “could mean prosperity for Tirene. Protection from drought. Favorable winds for your ships.” His voice drops lower. “Even assistance with those rebellious Northern Provinces that still resist Queen Lark’s rule.”
The offer is tempting. Or would be if I didn’t see straight through his manipulation.
I’m familiar enough with the gods to know their gifts always come with hidden costs. Not to mention betraying Rivlan would mean putting my magic at risk. Rivlan is water. Angering the god of my element wouldn’t be wise.
When I still don’t respond, Zeru’s expression sours.
The false warmth vanishes, replaced by a cold calculation that suits him better. “You should consider carefully before declining my generosity. Everyone who has opposed me, gods included, has ended up regretting it. My displeasure is a heavy burden to bear.”
An odd satisfaction zings through me at the threat. At least we’re finally speaking plainly. “As generous as your offer is, I made my choice when Rivlan approached us. To change it now would be dishonorable. I must stand by my decision.”
“As do I.” Agnar speaks from by my side, his voice unwavering despite the sweat beading on his brow.
Zeru’s face contorts with fury, all pretense abandoned. His gaze scorches me, and I feel like my skin should be crisping and flaking off. When he raises his hand, the air crackles with power.
I tense, preparing for an attack, but instead, he directs his rage at the ground. A section of the field, at least twenty paces across, simply vanishes. Not destroyed, not blown apart.
Erased.
A perfect hemisphere carved from the earth, creating a gaping crater with no sign of the rock, plants, or soil that were once there.
Well. That’s alarming.
Agnar, thankfully, holds still. Not even a twitch. Frozen is better than reactive at this point.
“The fight will be fierce.” Zeru’s tone slides into icy calm, as if he’s barely containing his rage. “I suggest you prepare yourself better than this display I saw today.” His knowing gaze lingers on me.
Then his form shimmers and collapses in on itself, leaving nothing but the faint scent of ozone behind.
Agnar whistles. “That went well. Can’t wait to see who he chooses as your opponent.”
He reaches out with his earth magic, drawing rock and soil from the surrounding land to begin filling the hole Zeru created.
As I watch the dirt flow into place, unease churns in my gut. “He’ll probably choose the Guardian simply out of spite.”