Sol’s chest rose and fell with heavy breaths as she looked for Cas though the sandstorms, anxious to assure the guards hadn’t somehow taken him somewhere different, that Semmena hadn’t found another scheme to hurt him. But her shoulders went slack, and the tension dispersed as Cas's silver eyes penetrated through the tawny haze, followed by his black suit and hair as he strode forward to meet her at the center of the arena.
Sol hurried her steps, yearning to look around for her Court, for Penny, for all the others who were in their corner. But she knew any distraction now was detrimental.
So, she walked toward Cas as confidently as she could pretend, her fists tight beside her and chin held high through the dirt.
They didn’t know exactly what the final trial entailed, no one did. The one with her mother had been a bare duel of blades and wits, according to the stories.
Sol didn’t know what she wished for at this point, except for it to be over.
Call out the law to Semmena and I’ll do the rest.
As they joined space in the field, relief caressed Sol at the sight of him, unharmed and just as sure of himself as he had been in the morning.
She laughed softly despite the pressure.
Rule and Law 5.4.
Rule and Law 5.4.
“Ladies and gentlemen of the South.” Sol flinched at her Uncle’s voice, a sore sound to hear after a whole two weeks away from it. “It is an absolute delight to see our final prospects ready to finish the Vows in the name of holy tradition.”
Sol looked past Cas to where Semmena sat on a gold and metal throne. Though they were far, the Semmena Court was easy to spot. Samara stood beside her mother, who sat on a smaller seat in front of the King Regent.
Jeriyah stood by the shadows, obvious by his tan robes and arms clutching tomes. Gaven was also in the background, and he was the only to give her a small nod when he spotted her watching.
Sol did not nod back.
“As you heard, we will be following the typical rules,” Semmena continued. “One winner. Now, I am sure you are all asking yourselves, what if Xanthos wins? The whole thing would be pointless since it was to marry a Yarrow.” He finished the sentence with a chuckle, one the arena echoed. “To marry a Yarrow and receive the blessing of the gods. Well, with my dear niece deciding to bend the rules, it seems the outcome must be bent as well.”
To the right of the Semmena Court, Sol spotted??—
Her eyes swelled with tears at the sight of Nina and Sawyer, Alix a rigid presence behind them. Her cousin gave her a nod, and Nina clasped her hands together, her face the purest despair. She wiggled her fingers at Sol in a small wave.
“They’re all there,” Sol whispered to Cas. “They’re beside Semmena.”
He tugged at his sleeve. “They would never miss you beating me up, Princess.”
Sol gripped the hilt of her dagger as wailing boomed to her left. Finigan waltzed in from the area entrance, flanked by two guards in full iron armor.
Cas stepped forward. “What is this?”
“No weapons today,” Fin said. “Hand them over.”
Panic struck Sol. “Weapons are all I have.”
“Too bad. Weapons.” He held out his hands, flinching as he bounced on his feet. “Now.”
Hesitantly, Sol unsheathed her knives and tossed them at his feet, Cas doing the same.
While she worked on getting her smaller dagger free from her ankle, Semmena spoke, “The final trial is Wards. Kill your opponent using only Warren’s magic.”
“This is bullshit, Semmena,” Cas yelled, turning to face him. “It’s not a fair playing field. She hasn’t Awakened.”
Sol yanked the dagger free and tossed it at the kingsman with a glare.
“All prospects are implied to have magic,” Gina added. “She should have read the rules beforehand.”
“You keep changing the rules!” a voice from within the crowd bellowed. “Let the Princess have a chance!”
