It’s time to best him the only way I can.
I whip my arm over my head and a gust of wind rips the sword from Kyron’s hand. It lands across the ring, leaving him unarmed. His entire hand lights up, burning red and orange. He flicks his wrists, and the fire blazes toward me. I yank at an Aquatera’s power, countering him with a rush of water. He pushes harder, the cords in his neck straining and sweat beading at his brow.
I smile.
A flash of blinding light and the ground beneath his feet freezes. Kyron slips on the ice, and his raging inferno turns into sad puffs of smokethat falter before they reach me. His arms fling back to break his fall, but I already have him. The vines that climb the oak tree on the border of the field stretch and bend, wrapping around his arms. They slither over his waist, holding him upright and unable to move.
I call his shadows, and like a beloved pet, they swirl around me as I approach him.
“You failed to disclose how comfortable you’ve become with the Eporri,” he says.
“You failed to ask, prince. And I enjoy the element of surprise.”
“How many can you control at once?”
“All of them.” I pull on his Cognus gift and use it to read his emotions. “I feel your admiration.”
He shakes his head and the smile on his lips testifies to the pleasure he finds in this moment. “Claim your victory, princess.”
I close the distance between us and press the tip of my sword to the base of his throat. He doesn’t fight or struggle to move away, instead he surrenders to me.
I lower my voice, wanting my words to stay between us. “I’m offering you my complete trust, Kyron LeFur. Leave me out of your future plans, betray my people, or fuck with my emotions, and I will slice you throat to dick.”
His throat bobs. A mixture of pride and regret paint his facial features. “I’ll never do that to you again.”
“I hope you don’t.”
“May the Statera hear my vow and forever bind me to it. From now until my dying day, I dedicate my body, mind, and heart to you. Do with me as you please, Raelle Mansi.”
My heart thunders in my chest, and my breath hitches. “What are you doing, Kyron?”
“I thought it was clear. I’m vowing to serve you.”
“You can’t do that. It’s impossible to rule Stigian and serve me at the same time.”
He lowers his head. “But I will. I bow to no one but you.”
I can’t deny the resolve in his tone. He will put me above his kingdom. Stigian could be on fire, and he would let it burn to the ground if I asked him to. He will follow me into war, defy his mother, and renounce his crown all for me. Kyron is placing his life in my hands at the risk of his own.
“Is this what you truly want?” I ask.
“Yes.”
I lift to the tips of my toes and press my lips to his cheek. “So let it be until your dying breath, my parah.”
“So be it.”
Holding his gaze, I drag the blade of my sword over his heart. I don’t look at the trail of red dusting his body. I can’t stand the thought of administering a deathblow to him, even if it’s fake. Swallowing down the bile raising in my throat, I turn away.
The astonished crowd parts for me, many of them bowing their heads in reverence, others with their mouths gaping. I focus straight ahead, not caring what any of them think. The purpose of this match will take hold, or it won’t, but the words spoken on the field will last forever.
I flick my wrist over my shoulder, commanding the vines to release Kyron.
Thirteen
Our display of power worked. Many are eager to try their hand at sparring, and both armies need a chance to burn off their aggression toward the other. So, the day trudges on with cracking wooden swords and an audience to supply encouragement. This isn’t a long-term answer to training, but it’s a productive start.
I, on the other hand, can’t say I’m as helpful for the rest of the day. I don’t want to return to the field or watch the sword play. How did I ever believe I could harm Kyron in the past? If I was being honest with myself, I would have realized that just the thought of it makes me sick to my stomach. My anger had driven me for so long that I gave little thought to what would happen if I impaled him on my blade. I wanted him to hurt as much as I did and stabbing him in the heart felt like the most comparable pain. When I finally drew my fake blade down his chest, I had to force my head high and walk away from him like it was nothing. But it gutted me.
