Kordislaen wasn’t a myth. He was flesh and blood and could be beaten. He had to have a weakness.
When Kordislaen struck next, Ronan dodged, but too slow.He turned ever so slightly. Kordislaen’s blade swept against his side, drawing blood.
Ronan let himself fall onto the grass, his back against the cold ground. The general stood above him, sword in hand.
“It’s a shame it had to end like this. I hoped for more from you.” Disappointment coated Kordislaen’s words. He lifted his weapon, readying the final strike.
“Stop!” Ronan exclaimed, channeling desperation into his voice.
The sword stood still in the air, hovering above Ronan. Ronan took that moment to slowly creep his fingers around the hilt of his own blade, tightening his grip.
“I’m sorry,” Ronan said, pouring all of himself into the words. “You’ve done so much for me. Let me live, and I’ll make up for it.”
It was a lie mixed with the truth. For so long, his gratitude to Kordislaen had been his motivation. It made the plea come easier than he expected.
Kordislaen didn’t lower his blade. “Do you think I’m a fool?”
“If you don’t believe me, believe my blood pooling on the ground. Believe that I would rather live for myself than die for those who care nothing for me. You were right about my ambition. If this is the only chance I have to live, then I’ll take it.”
Ronan waited as Kordislaen’s sword inched slightly back. A moment of hesitation. He could work with that.
He twisted, sword lifting just high enough. It dug into Kordislaen’s calf. His roar of pain was a sweet reward. Swiftly, Ronan jumped to his feet, sending the pommel of his weapon into the general’s stomach before slicing into Kordislaen’s other leg.
The general fell.
“I’m done playing your games,” Ronan said, studying the man on the ground. He looked almost human, bleeding into the dirt. Ronan knew he should finish him off, but the debt he owed stayed his blade. “This is the last you will see of my mercy.”
Kordislaen might bleed out—the blood was coming at a decent speed—but Ronan doubted it. The general had too much combat experience to not be able to stanch the bleeding. No, this injury wouldn’t kill Kordislaen. But it would slow him down.
And that was all Ronan needed.
He turned his back on Kordislaen and ran.
Chapter Thirty-Six
Caisleán Cósta’s spires peeked over the horizon, sending a wave of relief through Ronan.
It had been hours since he last rested. He’d stopped once when he had put enough distance between himself and Kordislaen, and that was only to refill his canteen at a spring he found and wrap his gash so he could continue his trek. He couldn’t remember when he last ate. But he made it.
He knew he needed to go to Draoi Griffin. To find whoever was in charge in Kordislaen’s absence and start making plans, but his feet took him down the familiar hall to the study.
To Clía.
As he turned the corner, he was stopped by a person in his path.
Niamh stood several feet away. Before he could say a word, her sword was drawn.
“Was I right about you”—she stepped closer—“or do I need to kill you?”
“Is Clía still here? I need to see her. I need to tell her—I have information. I can help us win this fight.” Ronan’s throat burned as he spoke.
The warrior’s eyes narrowed, but she lowered her blade. “I knew I was right. You look like a mess. Is that blood all yours?” He stared blankly, and she sighed. “I’ll take you to Clía, but only afteryou take care of your injuries and eat something. You’re swaying on your feet. You’re no use to anyone dead.”
She gestured for him to sit and then vanished, returning a few minutes later with a healer and a bowl filled to the brim with soup. He had emptied the bowl before he could even taste it. Its warmth settled in him, beating back the chill that had slithered into his bones.
The healer, a man with dark skin and cropped hair, kneeled in front of him. He removed the makeshift bandage Ronan had made from his shirt and began the process of stitching him up. Ronan didn’t flinch as the needle pierced his skin.
Niamh watched, holding a plate of meat and bread. “You get this when you tell me what happened.”
