“I warned him, before he stamped his contract, that he needed to accept the mate chosen for him, but he chose pride over security.” Gaius flicks his hand dismissively and mumbles, “Wanting to prove himself. Ridiculous. What an excellent example of how pride can be one’s downfall. Although, considering what a horrible king he would be, it is probably for the best…”
His words seep through me, cold and slow. A glacier peeling back my skin. I feel raw and dangerous.
He’s still speaking. “I suppose you can’t expect someone like him to be fit to lead. Just lookat him …”
I’m too angry to focus on his words anymore. This pathetic shit-stain of a weasel is trying to tear down the strongest man I’ve ever met. My fingers move to my hip, tracing the outline of the blade beneath my skirt. The cool metal is a thousand degrees warmer than the ice in my veins. I promised Vexar I wouldn’t do anything stupid, but this isn’t stupid. This is the only correct choice right now.
“It is a good thing he will not survive the day,” Gaius says, as he continues to drone on.
I press my aching, bloodied feet into the floor, focusing on the pain. I can’t tip my hand. I need Gaius to see me as meek. Harmless.
He pauses his diatribe and stares at me, clearly waiting for me to speak. It’s the first time he’s asked me a question, and I have no idea what he said.
I clear my throat. “So who should lead the Vhorathi Empire?” I ask, hoping the topic of conversation hasn’t strayed too far from Vexar and his throne.
Gaius points a finger at me. “That is the right question.”
I stare into his dark, dead eyes, waiting for a name. I want to know who this fucker is rooting for.
“Well,” Gaius says, setting down his goblet and standing. “It is almost time for the fights to begin.”
Of course he won’t give me a name. He’s a weak creature who was given power when he should have been given a short rope and a long drop.
He starts walking towards me, and I note the more pronounced wobble of his gait. My mind clears. I can end this all right now. He doesn’t see me as a threat, he’s drunk, and the guard is on the other side of the door. Theonlyguard. I can take one guard. Then I just have to open and close my connection with Vexar, and he’ll find me, and we can leave. He won’t have to risk his life in the arena. He won’t end up withextra blood on his hands or guilt in his heart. We’ll be free and safe.
It’s been a long time since I practiced fighting with a knife, but IknowI can do this. I stand and push the chair back, keeping my body angled so my right hand is shielded from Gaius’s view. Cool metal slips into my palm. I grip the blade underhanded, letting the spine sit flush against my forearm. Hidden. Ready.
“My dear Amara,” Gaius says, reaching for my hand, “it has been an honor?—”
I move, letting muscle memory take over as I slash the back of his hand in a right-to-left motion. Blood hits my skin. I’m already moving for my next strike, extending my elbow, aiming the blade’s tip at Gaius’s jugular.
One jab. That’s all I need.
Time seems to slow as the blade moves towards his neck, and then, everything stops. Pressure rolls down my arm, a loud crack splits the air, and I’m thrown backwards by what feels like an explosion. I hit the ground. Air erupts from my lungs. Muscles cramp. Skin burns. That wasn’t an explosion.
Shit, shit, shit!I have to get up.
I scramble to my feet.Where’s the knife?I dropped the fucking knife!
Something impacts my ribs. Not an impact, an electric shock. Hot agony turns my muscles to stone. Then it’s over. I’m on my back. Gasping.Need to move.
“Stop her!” Gaius shouts.
I try to get up. Someone grabs my hair.I need the knife. Where’s the fucking knife?The second my hair is released, I roll, but the tip of what looks like a cattle-prod slams into my gut, pinning me in place. Pain consumes me. Every muscle contracts violently. My skin crawls and burns. Eyes shake.It’s too much.The tile floor squeaks beneath my skin.He’s not going to stop.Helplessness spreads as the shock continues for far too long. Then it’s over. I suck down lungfuls of air, trying to get my bearings.
“Get her out of here!”
I’m dazed, but I know what I need to do. I spot the cattle-prod only a foot away, clutched in the loose hand of the guard. The guard who thinks I’m too weak to be a threat. I get to my knees and lunge for it, but I’m too slow.Shit.The guard kicks me in the ribs and gives me one more jab for good measure.
As electricity rips through me, I see Gaius shuffle past my field of view. His face is a mess of fear and panic as he grips his hand, leaving a trail of crimson in his wake.
When I can finally suck in a breath, I laugh. I’ve never heard such a sick sound come out of me before. It’s the resigned sound of someone who knows they’re already dead. Ragged and absolutely mad. Maybe it’s the beating, or the lingering rage, or the year I’ve spent in captivity, but seeing Gaius bleed is one of the greatest joys I’ve ever experienced.
32
EVEN THE GUARDS
AMARA
