Eira laughed softly. “I don’t think that’s really even.”
“Why not?”
“Because I only know a technique your team employs and you know…” She trailed off, unable to finish. The truth was too much to bear in that moment.
“More than you ever wanted to share with me.” He sounded almost as if he agreed with the sentiment. “Maybe, one day, I’ll tell you some of my secrets. Then we’ll truly be even.”
“Only if you want,” Eira replied, as they turned away from the game. “I know as well as anyone that some truths, once put to rest, are best kept buried.”
22
Without another word, Olivin released her. Eira could feel his magic unraveling from around her. Without his touch, she could no longer see him. But he’d brought her right before the bend of the tunnel where Alyss was waiting.
“What did you find?” Alyss whispered hastily.
“Not here.” Eira shook her head. “Too many ears. We’ll talk when we’re back.”
They rejoined Noelle on the balcony. “Took you both long enough. Things have gone sideways since you left.”
Eira looked down at the area where Harkor and Cullen were still viciously sparring with air and claw. Lavette was avoiding being caught in the fray with frantic dodging, constantly scrambling with her bracelets. Most of the coliseum seemed to be rallying behind Cullen, which only served to further incense the draconi contingent. And make Harkor’s attacks all the more vicious.
The competitors from Qwint thrust their arms out in a sudden uproar, pointing and shouting down at the arena, where Harkor now loomed over Lavette—her metal ball nowhere to beseen. Lumeria’s attendants had finally stepped in, motioning for him to get away now that Lavette was out of the competition.
“He’s one to watch out for,” Noelle murmured as they helped Lavette off to the side.
Cullen apparently had the same thought. As Harkor was turning away from Lavette, Cullen unleashed a burst of air, catching Harkor completely off guard. The draconi prince tumbled. His focus broken; his metal ball came whistling down, crashing into the sand.
“Solaris has won!” Vi proudly announced.
Like that, it was over.
“He cheated!” one of the draconi competitors snarled.
“Hecheated?” Noelle clearly felt the need to involve herself. Though Eira couldn’t really blame her. “Cullen wasn’t the one who turned an endurance competition into a battle.”
“Prince Harkor was acting within the rules.” The draconi sneered at them. “At least he was engaging in a fair fight. You from Solaris can only win with deception and sneak attacks.”
“Fair fight, my foot,” Alyss muttered, folding her arms. “Not sure if your prince knows the meaning of fair.”
“What was that?” The draconi approached.
“She said it wasn’t fair at all.” Noelle backed up Alyss. “Fighting wasn’t the intent of this particular game.”
“Intent?Everythingis a battle. We live, we fight, we die. And with any luck we go out with glory on the way.”
“No glory in what Harkor did,” Noelle said.
The draconi moved with the same startling speed they all possessed. He seized Noelle by the throat, hoisting her up into the air. Noelle grabbed his wrists, flames flaring between her fingers. The draconi merely smiled, her fire doing nothing to his skin.
Eira moved at the same time, holding an ice dagger to the man’s throat. His teammates circled them. Alyss held out herhands, muscles already straining as though she were holding two massive boulders. In a second, she no doubt would be. Magic spiked through the air.
“That’s enough!” One of the attendants intervened. “That’s enough, all of you. Tentur, put her down or you will be disqualified from the tournament. Solaris, ease your magic or you’ll face the same.”
“Him first,” Eira growled.
The draconi, Tentur, opened his hand, dropping Noelle. She fell to her knees, gasping, yet still managing to look defiant. Alyss went from warrior to cleric in a second, instantly at her side, hand up to Noelle’s throat.
“Let me see it,” Alyss said softly, pulling Noelle’s hands away from rubbing her neck.
