He was so blinded by admiration that he did not realize just how much favor Fraser had lost with his people. They followed him because of his title, not because they genuinely wanted to, and certainly not because they harbored love for him.
Briefly, my eyes slid shut.
Spirit, help me. Guide me.
Something otherworldly flowed into me, bringing with it an odd sense of peace.
With a deep breath, my eyes fluttered open.
Mother, give me your strength.
Standing in the ring, I didn’t fear the outcome of that day. Instead, I pitied the soul that dared to oppose me.
I stepped forward, accepting Shal’s challenge.
Both of our lives were about to be forever changed.
25
ERIK
The little old Bavadrin’s hand pressed to my chest, keeping me back. She was impressively strong for both her small size and age.
“Don’t you dare interfere with this.” Edda sounded vicious.
I was not sure who she thought she was. Did she desire to be reduced to ash?
Iver stood beside me. His gaze fell upon Edda, her hand pressed into my chest, and then back to the makeshift arena. For the first time in his life, he appeared serious and focused on what was occurring around him.
Ariana stood in the open circle, while her opponent, who was both larger than her and more muscular, pulled out a sword.
The hand fell from my chest, but the hag stood there looking up at me. “That girl is the only thing in this entire world that I love,” she said with such viciousness that I believed her. “If you think I would allow her to place herself in harm’s way with no hope of a victory, then you are sorely mistaken.”
An intense desire to toss the nuisance of a woman out a window came over me.
“How is she supposed to stand against someone with a sword when all that she has is a dagger?” Kole asked Edda, whose black eyes lit up at the question, and she released a small laugh.
“That idiotic boy is trying to fight with force because that is all he has ever known. Ariana needs the dagger only to draw his blood, not to win.” She smiled devilishly.
“I don’t understand.” Kole looked at Edda as if she had just lost her last marble, though I was reasonably sure she lost it long ago.
Edda laughed. The sound was unbelievably irritating. “The girl fights with something much more powerful than a simple sword. She has the hearts of her people. That is why she is the one to become Leader Superior.”
Edda turned to me. “You have seen the way the people respond to her when she walks through the city. They are drawn to her, and they are drawn to her now.” The little terror of a woman then turned to watch, her back to me. “Prepare yourselves. You are about to witness a rebirth. The Spirit will guide her today.” She sounded giddy, and I was pretty sure that she must have been far too old for that mind of hers to function correctly.
Ariana and her opponent walked the perimeter of the circle they were in and then stopped. He flexed his muscles with each step as if to show his strength. In contrast, Ariana moved with a sense of calm surrounding her. She squared her shoulders, keeping her chin held high. Not a shred of fear or uncertainty lingered in her eyes. I found myself pulled in by her, intrigued that despite all that had happened to her that she was able to find herself on steady ground. Able to face opposition without a shred of doubt.
He looked down his nose at her, raising his blade. “Last chance—give up.”
Ariana merely stood there, hands at her sides.
“No.” She did not yell, but every soul in the room very much heard her words.
The simple word sent her opponent flying across the circle, blade poised to strike. If not opposed, then he would have done more than bring her to her knees. He would have killed her. The hair on my neck stood. My palms instantly heated as I tapped into the power which always hummed through me.
Before I even took a single step, Edda moved.
“Don’t you dare interfere!” she hissed. “This is not something Lysians have any right to involve themselves with.” Her arm splayed out before me as if it was strong enough to stop me.
