“Fine,” I murmured in irritation. It was up to the Spirit to help if I was deemed worthy enough.
Erik moved before I took a step toward the center. His hand took hold of mine and I felt something cool slide into my palm. His fingers let go of my wrist, freeing me. I took the blade and shoved it into the dagger pocket of my dress.
“Be careful,” he warned, his voice low. Dark blue eyes pinned me before I peeled my attention from him.
“Thank you.” I was already moving towards Edda and my opponent in the opening created as people parted, leaving the center of the room empty as they pressed closer to the walls.
Shal stood in full view, a scowl splayed on his face. He was taller than I yet seemed somehow shorter than I remembered. His brown hair was bound by a single thick braid running down his back. He threw his shoulders back and his chest forward as if to make himself appear even larger. Perhaps it would have caused me to hesitate at one point in time, but I now lived with Lysians. Shal could try to make himself seem as big and robust as he desired, none of it would ever compare to the strength and skill of those I just stood amongst.
“The two of you will remain in this circle until either one ofyou recedes your claim or blood is spilled. The one who bleeds will be marked as not worthy to lead.” Edda’s voice echoed throughout the room.
Glancing around, I found myself surrounded by my people. There was a potent strength in their presence. My entire life, I feared being noticed in such a manner, always surviving in part by hiding—but not anymore.
I would help pull my people from the shadows Fraser thrust upon them, for I was not the only one tormented by him. No longer would they need to live in fear. No longer would the women be used as a currency amongst those deemed the select. No longer would our own be driven out of the capitol. I would take back the Bavadrin people from the Lysians, and I would protect them till my dying breath.
When I looked at those surrounding me, fear shone in their eyes, in some I saw hate, but overwhelmingly, there was hope. Despite the blood running through my veins, they believed in me. They did not fear me. I was not simply my father’s daughter.
Edda cut across the room and rushed to the Lysians. She firmly placed her hand on Erik’s chest. Was he afraid of harm falling to his prized prisoner? I wondered what Edda said to keep him in his place.
“I wish I could say it’s good to see you, Ariana, but you reek of them.” Shal’s voice was cold, bringing my attention to him once more. Tanned skin stretched over a solid muscular body. However, most of it was for show. Muscles did not make someone strong, especially with a mind as weak as his. It was easy to turn cruel when life was hard. Shal used the pain of others as steppingstones for his success, climbing till he reached the highest tier possible. Unfortunately for him, he reached his top and was about to tumble back down to the bottom. He was so starved for Fraser’s love that he blinded himself to the fact that most did not harbor the same affections for Fraser, and for his little follower.
“Not pleased to see an old friend?” I asked. We were friends, once. That seemed like a different life.
It was before he decided to crawl up Fraser’s butt and make a home there. And began wishing to put a collar around my neck. Ever since I turned of age, he watched me with a darkness in his eyes.
I wondered how different Shal may have ended up without Fraser tainting his soul. I never knew why as a boy he turned to such a bitter man, seeking affection from the one who was incapable of it.
“I would have preferred to see Fraser instead,” Shal replied with a cruel smile.
Anger blossomed inside my chest. After everything Shal witnessed, he wished for Fraser’s continued rule. Shal was there when that monster butchered my mother. He stood by my side when my world turned upside down. And now he craved for that monster’s rebirth.
The man before me could not be allowed to take control. He was no leader. He was only a follower of a madman.
I always did my best not to hate people. To try and understand that most hurt others because they themselves were in pain. Yet, I couldn’t help but feel bitter hatred as a pit in my stomach at that moment. With every breath, that loathing grew fiery roots and spouted. It moved through my limbs, intertwining itself with the anger growing within me. It was as though the flame within was consuming me, leaving behind a cold stone void of any feeling at all. With that hate, I found myself enveloped in a strange calm.
“That can be arranged,” I answered lowly.
The threat didn’t go unnoticed.
If he wished to be with Fraser so severely, I wouldn’t stand in the way of such desire.
His smile widened in response. “Tell me, were you the cause of his death?”
It felt as though ice slid down my spine. Had he assumed I had a part in it, or did someone tell him something?
I did not reply. To say no would have been a lie, and I was not going to enter the seat of the Superior on a blatant lie. I wanted to look at those around us to see whether his insinuations gave them pause, but if I did so, I risked showing an unease with the question. If I had nothing to hide, then I would not need to confirm their belief in me. So instead, I kept my eyes trained only on Shal.
Instead, I said, “Fraser’s actions led to his ending.” That was undoubtedly true.
“And nowyouhope to leadmypeople?” Shal’s gaze narrowed. Confidence rolled off him. It was impressive. He never possessed a spark of such potent confidence before. He worked at the will and pleasure of Fraser. Our late Leader Superior had been Shal’s entire world.
“I plan on leadingourpeople,” I clarified.
He opened his mouth to reply, but I cut him off. “You and I have hardly spoken a word to one another over these past several years, so why all of a sudden are you so talkative?”
“Fine.” He pulled a sword free. “I fight for the great Fraser and the Bavadrin people!” His lips curved at the side into an arrogant smile, as if he had already won before ever beginning.
Shal was not the brightest.
