Chapter 63
AIMILIA
Cyprian was disputing the judges’ ranking to their faces. By throwing it down, he was saying his honor was damaged.
Challenge runes were very rarely used. The only time Aimilia had seen it was when Gavril challenged Nikias, demanding justice for what he’d done to Marcella.
Commander Prisca stared at the rune. Everyone was watching them.
Prisca called out, “Commander Cyprian, does this mean what it looks like it means?”
Cyprian lifted his chin. “Yes. A race doesn’t prove anything. If we’re going to know who is the best mage to lead House Mitis, we ought to have the two best mages sort it out one on one. If Commander Aimilia wants to be the head of this house, she’s going to have to fight me for it.”
Had this been his plan all along? Even if Aimilia beat him, had he been saving this one final attempt to bring her beneath his heel?
Aimilia looked down at her arm. He’d known exactly the trap he’d been setting for her. She’d fallen for it. Just how predictable was she?
Both Nikias and Cyprian could so easily pull her strings.
If Aimilia accepted the challenge, she would lose.
With her arm as damaged as it was, she didn’t stand a chance. She wouldn’t be able to cast nearly as well as Cyprian. Any other day. Any other circumstance, Aimilia was certain she could at least put up a worthy effort, if not beat him outright. Today, however… accepting the challenge meant losing her position.
Aimilia turned to Prisca and whispered, “What happens if I refuse?”
Cyprian answered for her. “If you forfeit, I’ll take my rightful position regardless. I’m disputing the results. You’re going to have to defend them or surrender them.”
It wasn’t a fair fight. The words were on the tip of her tongue.
“Unfortunately, you have to decide now. Unless, of course Cyprian rescinds the challenge to make it a fair fight,” Prisca said, directing a glare toward Cyprian.
“If she’s qualified to win a trial, she’s capable of fighting.” Cyprian raised an eyebrow. “Do you think our enemies care about a fair fight?”
Somewhere behind her, someone said, “Coward.”
Hypatia’s words struck her like a gong. A no-win scenario. She wished Hypatia had been a little bit clearer about how many times Aimilia was going to run into them. She thought this was already in the past, that she’d already passed by everything Hypatia had warned her about.
Smart thing to do would be to forfeit. She’d give up the position she’d earned, but at least she’d spare herself the pain and humiliation of trying to fight in the state she was in.
However, how much worse would it be knowing she hadn’t even tried to fight for it? She could still try to fight for it. There was the chance she could win, no matter how marginal.
Who was she kidding? There was no chance to win. If she did fight, it would only be to prove she would go down fighting, even to the bitter end.
Aimilia took a small step toward the rune, but before she could reach it, there was a flurry of movement.
Prisca said, “There is?—”
Aimilia blinked, and then Nikias was between her and the rune. He dropped down to one knee, bowing his head as he clasped his fist and pressed it to his heart. His voice rang out. “Commander Aimilia, I offer myself to you as your champion in this challenge.”
Cyprian’s expression shifted, eyeing Nikias warily.
Aimilia couldn’t believe it.
What did he think he was doing? What was his end goal here?
Nikias looked up, his hair falling back, and she had nowhere to look but his dazzling green eyes. “It would be my highest honor to fight for you, if you would grant it to me.”
Aimilia’s eyes darted around. Cyprian’s expression was dark, but he didn’t seem as furious as she would have thought.
