Something that can never happen in this place.
Baldric lets out a roar, launching toward me. I dodge to the side and almost throw up, the pain in my ankle unrelenting.
The arena goes silent. All I can hear is the panting of my own breaths and Baldric’s violent curses.
His sigil flares, and flames pour out of him.
I dart left. Right into his trap. His boot slams into my bad ankle once more.
My body goes one way.
My foot stays in place.
CRACK.
The offensive scent of my own blood fills my nostrils and I collapse, agony radiating up my leg.
Baldric looms over me, too consumed with hatred to notice the emperor getting to his feet. An enforcer steps forward and cracks his aetherwhip. Thick ropes wrap around Baldric, pinning his hands to his sides.
I take a single moment to appreciate the irony.
And then I meet the emperor’s eyes.
He’s not happy. If our second challenge was supposed to prove that we can work together while giving his people a long, drawn-out show, I failed.
The emperor’s lips curve, and it hits me then.
He’s going to make an example out of me. My death will be a warning to the others.
His hand begins to turn down, and I catch movement behind the emperor’s shoulder.
Rorrik steps forward, his eyes on me as he whispers something in the emperor’s ear.
The entire arena seems to hold its breath. I don’t look at Tiernon. For some reason, I can’t bear to see the look on his face when he learns I’m about to die.
The emperor’s thumb turns up.
I don’t know why, but Rorrik just made sure I was spared.
At least for now.
IMUST HAVEpassed out, because when I open my eyes, strong arms are hoisting me up.
“What—”
Tiernon lifts me higher. The movement is careful, but I have to sink my teeth into my bottom lip to suppress a yelp.
“You’re out of the arena,” he says. “The enforcer dragged you out by your arm.”
The same way Leira’s dead body was dragged away just days ago. My head spins.
“Where are the healers?”
“I’m taking you,” he says testily. “What were you thinking out there?”
“Shouldn’t you be guarding the emperor?”
He ignores that. “Youshouldn’t even be here. But since you are,you have one job: keep your head down and don’t draw any attention. Instead, you seem committed to making enemies wherever you go.”
