Harlow swallowed down the bile rising in her throat and gave him a sweet smile.
“At least you came to your senses about Marius,” Adradys murmured. “I’m relieved you saw the light.”
Her father interrupted the exchange by clearing his throat and gave Adradys a smile so authentic Harlow might have believed it if she hadn’t known the truth. “Well, I am certainly happy to be here today,” he said. “After all your hard work, Adradys, you’re finally going to get what you deserve.”
Adradys crossed his legs and checked his pocket watch. “Yes. Everything is in place. Although Marius is an unexpected surprise. Who would have guessed he actually had any talent for the sport?”
“I did,” Harlow mumbled.
“What’s that?” Adradys asked, leaning across her father to hear her better.
“I said, I don’t know. It’s very unexpected,” she filled in at a louder volume. In the pit, Marius finished his match and was declared the winner once again. “And look at that! It appears he will advance to the championship round.”
Adradys narrowed his eyes on Darium. “You did deliver the elixir to him as you promised?”
Her father lied as smooth as silk. “Oh yes. Before the first of today’s matches. Watched him drink it down myself. He thought it was a gift from that fire-breather from the Silver Sunset.”
“It’s certainly taking its time to kick in,” Adradys muttered.
“Where did you have it made?”
“The witch who runs Aborella’s old apothecary. He thought it was for me. Trouble sleeping, you understand.”
“Brilliant ruse.” Darium jiggled the bag of crisps in his hand.
“I’ve used him for a number of things. He never asks questions, but his magic can be temperamental.”
“Perhaps it takes some time to work. If it was meant for you, he’d have been careful with the dosage.”
“Hmmm. Yes. But I tripled it.”
“In any case, I bet it is only a matter of time for it to kick in. I suspect this will be an easy win for Dax.”
“Let’s hope so. Our plan hinges on it.”
The matchkeeper announced the championship match, and Marius and Dax entered the pit. They both bowed to the king and queen, who sat in the palace box with Charlie in the seat behind and between them. Harlow thought they were an attractive sight, all dressed in matching emerald green.
Raven held up the championship cape, embroidered with a dragon under a crown of stars. It would be awarded to the winner of this match, presented by the queen herself, who would wrap it around the champion’s shoulders.
The fighters took their marks. Marius wavered on his feet.
“Ah, it appears you were right, Darium. The elixir seems to be taking effect.”
Harlow slanted the man a shallow smile. “And there goes the flag.”
Even Harlow was surprised at the brutality with which Dax collided with Marius. There was no mercy in the exchange of blows until, with one punch that wasn’t nearly enough to rattle Marius, Dax caused her mate to stagger back and collapse. He stayed down to the count of ten.
Harlow swallowed, her stomach tightening at the sight of Marius as still as death on those pebbles. But she remained outwardly impassive as Dax’s arm was raised and he was then escorted toward the platform beside the royal box.
Queen Raven stood, the champion’s cape in her hands. She strode toward the platform, the epitome of grace and aplomb.
Beside her father, Adradys grinned like he was about to receive the cape himself. He glanced at his watch again. “Right on schedule,” he murmured.
Around the arena, his supporters readied themselves, their hands going to the weapons they’d smuggled in inside their boots.
The song of crowning began to play, and a fog of purple smoke licked the platform. Dax took his place at the center. The look of pride on his face turned Harlow’s stomach. Raven stepped toward him, the cape offered with both hands in front of her.
In one movement, Dax drew a blade from his boot and swung it toward her neck. His aim was true, and if that dagger had met its mark, the queen would be dead. Harlow watched it bounce harmlessly off an invisible barrier. Thanks to the symbols sewn into the cape Raven was holding and Nathaniel’s spell circling Dax’s ankles, the brute was frozen in place.
