“Don't promise me that. My father is angry with me. He'll take it out on you by choosing the toughest warrior he has. I said I don't want you to kill that man, but if it's you or him, do it.”
Rahu didn't react.
“All right. So when do I get tested?”
“Right now,” Rahu said. “And good luck to you, Lord Ember.”
Rahu clearly did not have the confidence in me that Vex had. This might actually be fun.
Chapter Thirty
I expected a certain level of barbarism. These were people who braided bones into their hair and tattooed themselves. The test for my worthiness was likely to be a situation similar to fights in the training yard—everyone gathered around to cheer for their favorite. So, I wasn't surprised when we arrived at Vexen's village to find it empty, with everyone already gathered at the fighting location. But I was surprised to find the Tiger Ladrin quiet when we walked up—surprised and unnerved.
The Tigers stared at me with their gleaming eyes, watching their chief's son escort me to the center of their gathering where a roped-off circle of grass waited. Two men stood in the center. Both were around Vexen's size. One looked like him. A lot.
Vex unhooked a portion of the rope, and we entered the ring. The path we had walked through the clan closed and the quiet became even more unsettling. I stretched my neck as we approached the men, but my muscles didn't want to relax.
“We are here, Ember,” Fire said.
My stare shot around, but no one else appeared to have heard her.
“Don't worry. Only those we choose can hear us.”
Unlike earlier, I was grateful for her presence. I whispered, “Thanks.”
“Father,” Vex said to the man who looked like his brother.
“My son,” the Chief said gruffly. “I'm glad to have you home.”
“We're just here to celebrate our mating.”
“And you didn't want your clan to celebrate with you?”
“It's an unusual situation. We needed to set a magical bond between us and then return to set it between the other men.”
“Yes.” The Chief grimaced at his son and glanced at me. “I've heard that you have agreed to share your mate.”
“Together, we can end this war, Father. Sharing him is an honorable sacrifice.”
The Chief made a scoffing sound and sliced his hand through the air. “What do I care about prophecies? They are just words. We are people of action—strong people who do not share our mates.”
Vexen let out a sigh that was half growl. “Ember is the chosen one of the Goddess. The prophecy is hers.”
The Chief just stared at Vex. I guess even he didn't want to offend the Goddess by saying something scathing. Finally, he said, “Fine. Your mate can prove how special he is right now. I have chosen Bale as my champion.”
Vex nodded. “Ember has agreed. He is ready.” He laid his hand on my back.
“Greetings, Chief,” I said. “I accept the challenge.”
The Chief shifted his stare to me. “Good.” He looked me up and down. “There is only one rule—no magic.”
“What?!” Vexen growled.
Meanwhile, my stomach bottomed out. I knew how to fight with a sword, and I was even pretty good at it. But I wasn't nearly as good with it as most lords. My strength lay in my magic. And if I had to use a sword—or, Goddess forbid, fight hand-to-hand—I couldn't be careful and leave the other man alive. I'd be too busy keeping myself alive.
“We've heard about your mate's magical prowess. If we allow him to use his magic, it wouldn't be a fair fight,” the Chief said.
“When has that ever mattered?” Vex demanded. “The test is about worthiness, not fairness. It's meant to prove the skill of the challenger. Ember's skill lies in his magic. If you deny him the use of it, you're denying him the ability to prove himself. And he lacks the physical strength that Bale has. So, by hindering Ember, you've made the test both unfair and dishonorable.”
