Blood beat through my body. Through my ears. I stood to my feet to get a better look. Praying to the Guardians themselves it would not be Arlo. But he was the only remaining human left.
I scanned the crowd and found Calypstra, who smiled at me. She was behind this.
The doors of the armory opened and a gasp fell from my lips as a child in worn clothes made his way to the center of the Jawro circle, called by Draveen’s lull. A lazy smile was on his face.
Alistar. He was alive. The urge to run out and gather him in my arms was unbearable.
“What is the meaning of this?” Hylos demanded.
“I found this human whelp rummaging about the castle, likely a spy, and I wish to punish him for the crimes of his king,” Draveen answered through a foul smile.
“Who is the boy?” Lumina asked at my side.
“He’s from Arlo’s crew,” I said. Alistar’s face was dirty, his once-bouncing curls plastered to his head with oil and sweat.
Why would Calypstra arrange this?
“There is no honor in fighting a mere child,” Hylos said, baffled.
I was up and stepping through the crowd.
“Elowyn, wait,” Morvyn pleaded, but I ignored him. I had to stop this.
“There is honor in showing all of your loyal subjects how easy it will be for us to destroy the humans upon land. This child is a symbol, greatleader,” said Draveen.
“You can’t let him hurt him. He’s just a boy,” I demanded at Hylos’s side. He hardly looked down at me.
I cut Calypstra a hard look. “You did this,” I spat, but she didn’t move, just remained in cool disregard, arms crossed.
“I still say there is no honor in this. You can take the bracelet from him with ease,” Hylos said calmly.
Would Hylos really allow this to happen?
“I plan on taking him apart limb by limb first, with my eyes closed. Tear him to shreds until I find the bangle,” Draveen said.
“No!” The word scorched from my lips.
Hylos cut me a hard look. “Stand down, Elowyn,” he said under his breath.
“Great leader,” Draveen said in a mocking tone, “how can we expect you to fight a war against the human king when you allow his daughter to give orders to you? But I suppose …” Draveen looked to the now-silent crowd. With a smile showing rows of sharp teeth, he said, “That’s what we should expect from a half-breed.”
“If you wish to fight a child because that is all you can manage, then go ahead. Fight. I thought you would at least attempt to call upon me, since you question my rule so blatantly. But it seems you’re too afraid,” Hylos said with ease.
A laugh boomed from Draveen. “I wouldneverwish to fight you, my great liege.”
“Fight me,” I yelled, stepping forward toward the monster, looking up at his ghoulish figure, realizing again just how large he truly was.
“I suppose you would be a better example, the daughter of our enemy,” Draveen drawled, a finger tapping his cheek contemplatively.
“I saidstanddown, Elowyn,” Hylos demanded, alarm sharpening his tone.
“Yes, I suppose I accept your offer to compete,” Draveen said, a smile slicing across his ghastly face and sending a chill down my spine. “After all, you’re a much better adversary than a mere child, isn’t that right, my liege?”
Nixie rushed to my side. “Elowyn, please tell me you have a plan,” she said, fear darkening her usually bright tone.
I fought, fiercely, to steady my ragged breath. This space had belonged to Nixie and me before daybreak, now all these eyes were on me. I pushed down the nausea churning in my gut.
“Plan is,” I swallowed down the fear, “don’t fucking die.”
