“The fighters will wield only their primary power and their blades until one falls to his hands and knees and yields before the other,” Stadiel reminded everyone.
Not that the exact rules and prior outcomes hadn’t been the only topic of discussion among the palace since the trial was announced.
“But this time, the loser will be pierced with bronze, and only I will have the key to free them of their magic.”
Fuck.
A collective gasp ripped through the crowd. My nails bit into my palms as I restrained myself from leaping forward and committing regicide right then and there.
They wanted to send me to the front without access to myGoddess-gifted power. With nothing to protect my mate from the Demons and their dark magic.
For both of us to die.
“Let the trial begin.”
Zarethiel and I rose, facing the massive tree the palace encompassed. Children climbed its knotted trunk, trying to glimpse a better view, while their parents sat on risers across from the thrones of their monarchs.
With heavy strides, I centered myself between the groups. I rolled out my neck, letting the cracks ring out. Zarethiel spun to face me, white leaking from his fingers already.
The mirrors reflected directly in my eyes, the Goddess Moon primed and ready to judge us. All was quiet, like the silence before a scream of lightning.
“On my mark,” Stadiel shouted.
I snapped my wrists out, and radiance dripped from my palms and pooled on the floor like molten adjudication.
“Ready.”
Anxiety vibrated our bond. Fear cinched it tight.
“Set.”
I stole a glance at Sylaira, whose icy irises shone with what I’d always craved from her, from everyone—love.
“I’m sorry,”I whispered, drinking in her fright one last time. There were so many sins between us. I needed her to fuel me through this fight.
“Mark!”
Zarethiel lashed out with a haloed whip. I dodged easily, swirling the puddle of my own power at my feet. He launched forward, and I threw up a barrier. He bounced off it, barely managing to recover his footing.
The gathered roared their approval.
I kept my hands hanging low at my sides, daring him to attack again. He circled, and I danced with him, the mirrorsdisorienting my vision. But I had keen senses from decades of hunting, and I didn’t need to see to know where my attacker was.
“End him, Zarethiel!” a Kisst called out.
More cheered for my blood.
I stepped directly in line with a bright reflection. Light seared my eyes, so fierce that it knocked me off guard. By the time I ducked, the blade was already blurring.
I turned at the last moment, the bronze edge of the dagger scraping against the top of my arm.
The sting of pain was nothing compared to what I’d endured at the hands of the former Herr Räviel. But he’d managed to wound me, just below the protective armor covering my chest.
The crowd went wild at the sight of my split-open tunic beneath.
“Too slow. Wonder if you’ll even be able to catch me next time,” I said, tone all velvet and venom.
I feinted right, catching a glimpse of my mate around Zarethiel. Her teeth flashed, bared and defiant. Hands fisted at her sides, and she glanced behind her at Calrien.
