“Balor.”
“Yet he still breathes?” She didn’t seem convinced.
“It was not to the death. I made sure of that.”
“Clearly,” she murmured. “Aren’t you at all concerned that she will use it against us?”
“You know the rules, Renata. If you win a match, the weapon is yours by right. Even I cannot change our customs.”
“They won’t allow her to keep it.”
Her words piqued my interest. Who werethey? More Veilers?
“Then I guess she will have to get better at concealing it.”
I bristled at the intended jab.
Renata dropped her arms and narrowed her eyes at me.
“You think winning one match makes you a warrior? Balor should’ve finished the job.”
She stormed back into the camp. I hadn’t shifted to look at Rowan, but I knew he still stood behind me. I felt his undeniable presence; it was domineering and all-consuming. Rowan stalked forward, footsteps heavy, until he was practically breathing down my neck. I refused to look at him.
“Can you stop trying to get into trouble?” he all but growled at me.
“Why do you suddenly care?”
“Is this about last night? About why I didn’t step in sooner?”
“He waskillingme, and you stood by and didnothing!” I whipped my head toward him so fast that it made me slightly dizzy.
“I wouldn’t have let him kill you.”
“That’s hard to believe.”
“That’s fine,” he shrugged.
“Why even let it get that far?” I pressed, irritated with his nonchalance.
I took my survival seriously.
“I wanted to know what you were capable of.”
I almost believed the lie.
He had said it so simply, like it was all a harmless experiment.
I was fuming, my nails biting deep into my knees as I squeezed. I turned my gaze back to the hills to contain my rage. My anger had taken on a life of its own ever since my capture from Oak Hollow. I had allowed it to flourish to keep myself strong and motivated. However, I found it much more difficult to control and rein in now.
I took several deep breaths in and out. The breath control helped some, but not as much as I needed it to.
“Go away.”
“I know you’re frustrated—” He tried to reach for my arm, but I shrank away. He dropped his hand to his side, and I watched him subtly clench his fist. It was a move I’m not sure he realized he made.
“That’s an understatement,” I muttered under my breath.
“I know you’re frustrated, but I would really appreciate it if you stopped getting into situations that require my intervention.”
