Chapter 62
Robin pushed herself off the floor. They had just taken down the most powerful enemy she had ever faced, and she did not even have a chance to breathe.
She wanted to look at Ian, but Gareth was already rushing toward her, moving with inhuman speed.
She did not have time to get up from the floor before he was on her.
She slashed at his ankles with her dagger, rolling out of the way of his incoming fists. This was the fighting that she was good at—quick, without rules, and using minimal weapons. But even she was not prepared to fight someone who was stronger, faster, and apparently resisted injury.
Gareth’s fist landed on her shoulder.
Robin felt pain spread throughout her body, but her mind somehow remained distant from it. She was used to pain. She had not been lying to Ian in Lyra’s cottage. Although that moment felt like a lifetime ago, not a mere handful of days prior.
Nonetheless, the pain immobilized her once again, leaving her vulnerable to another attack.
If this was how she died, she could not be mad about it. She was proud of the way that she had spent her life fighting for the people who were unseen.
Gareth’s fist made contact with her ribcage again. She instinctively tried to shrink away, but her body seemed unable to listen to what her mind was telling her.
Her mind raced as time seemed to slow. She did wish, however, that she had spent less time fighting against Frederich, who had never been her true enemy. If she survived this moment, perhaps she would even work with him—or with Ian—to expand her resources.
Gareth’s next blow did not land, and she had a moment to regain her senses.
If Ian ever asked her to be his queen, she would accept, not because she wanted the title.
She would hate that life. But she would accept because she loved the man who was currently standing above her, raining down blows with his sword on the deranged creature that had once been Gareth, King of Chendas.
She would hate being queen, but she would use every bit of her power to strengthen the networks of support she had built over the last ten years. The sacrifice would be worth it.
She sat up.
Gareth was slowly pushing Ian back toward the far wall of the small room. Despite having no sword, Gareth clearly had the upper hand. He blocked Ian’s sword attacks with his bare arms and fought back with his fists.
“Do you see it, now?” Gareth asked, raining down more blows.
“Your sword cannot cut me. I no longer need your army, or the loyalty of your people.” He caught Ian’s blade with his bare hand, holding it still.
“I no longer need the loyalty of any people. Everything in the five kingdoms will be mine because no one can take anything from me.”
Ian tried to hold his ground, but Gareth pressed the blade forward, pushing Ian’s back against the wall.
“I am glad you are still alive. I will enjoy watching you die.”