My eyes fell to Alistar, still sweetly smiling. If I died, at least he would live.
I turned to Nixie. “Take him out of here, ensure he’s safe.”
She shook her head no at me. “I can’t leave you now. I need to be here in case—”
“Please. He has no one in this world, he’s an orphan. Get him out of here and somewhere safe.”
She relented, nodding a yes, then scooped up the small boy in her arms, leaving the armory.
“Enough theatrics,” Elspeth snapped. “Take your places on each side of the pool.”
I nodded in agreement, then walked slowly to the opposite side of the circle, drawing a rush of whispers from the onlookers.
This was not good. There was no way I would win. I was wearing a bloody dress, for Guardians’ sake. At least Draveen was unarmed. Only strength and skill would be our weapons, but I lacked both.
Draveen laughed, then called to the crowd, “Who is ready to watch medestroythe enemy as our king shall destroy her father?”
The crowd only offered a few stray cheers.
His eyes narrowed at me, sharp teeth bared in a repugnant smile.
Elspeth walked with a young female siren who held a glass box in her wake. She went first to Draveen, whose confident smile never faded. She kneeled before him and placed the onyx bangle around his ankle.
She glided around the circle to me and clasped the matching bangle on my ankle too.
I’d endured so much here in Naiadon. Yet lived so much as well. I left Oakhaven for the first time in my life. I found these strange people in the sea. A good man cared for me well.
I found Lumina and Morvyn in the crowd, watching me in horror.
I made friends.
And I tried my best to save Oakhaven.
If I died, I knew it would be with few regrets.
Elspeth returned to the front of the crowd. “Remember, stepping beyond the confines of the Jawro circle shall cause immediate forfeiture and thus banishment from Naiadon’s walls in shame.”
I could step out now and it would be over. But that would mean leaving Arlo behind. I needed to survive this, somehow. Or die trying.
“Do you both understand and accept these rules?” Elspeth first looked at me, and I nodded. Then at Draveen, who did the same.
“Good. Now let the Jawro competition begin!”
The stadium roared in applause.
Elspeth raised her moon-pale hands skyward, and a loud song chimed from her fingertips. The room shook with song as the pool in the center of the armory vibrated, then filled in with a giant stone plate. It rose past the floor, creating a raised, circular platform. The circle we must remain in.
“Enter the Jawro ring,” Elspeth commanded.
I took a large step into the still-wet ring. Draveen traversed the lip with ease. My thoughts were frenzied. He was so damn big. His oily, grayish skin alone was enough to cause bile to rise in my throat.
This was it.
“Begin!” Elspeth shouted. Loud music blasted from her, pulsating in rhythmic surges that vibrated my body and mind.
Draveen circled me as I kept out of reach, and we danced around one another in lazy half circles.
I wished Nixie was there to tell me what to do, like she did when we trained. To dodge, roll, or punch when I needed to.
