My eyes widened. I wouldn’t get there in time.
I wasn’t sure what I wanted to prevent. Elias killing father? Elias becoming Champion? Elias taking the throne after he did so? Absolutely. He had no idea what it meant. He’d neverunderstood. He might soon learn, because his blade swung straight for Father’s chest.
Steel clanged against Elias’s sword and held it in place inches from where Father stood.
Vaddon breathed heavily, holding his own sword against Elias’s.
Themis’s glare was violent and piercing. “I tire of this. Someone take the throne and be done with it. I’ve given you everything you needed.”
Father grinned at Vaddon even as his eyes narrowed at Elias. “You sniveling?—”
“My patience wears thin.” Themis glared at the trio.
With her last word, something pricked like pins throughout my entire body. It felt like a thousand tiny needles all striking at once.
“You need no longer be patient, goddess,” Vaddon said.
Themis’s gaze was calculating. She didn’t seem bothered that this mere Blessed would speak to her so directly. He’d been her tool in her attempts to destroy Ember. He’d been Father’s tool in his attempts to make himself Champion. But now, she tilted her head as if, finally, she saw him as something else.
“Themis, I offer you this sacrifice—my oldest friend.”
The echo of Elias’s words and my father’s words from minutes ago rang through the room. Father’s smile faltered as they registered. The ring on Vaddon’s sword hand glowed red as he held Elias’s attack in check. In his other hand, a dagger gleamed in Themis’s reflected light.
Vaddon pushed Elias’s attack off, then plunged the dagger into Rodric’s heart.
41
Challenge what is known.
— ALARIC SARE’S PAPERS FOR EMBERLINE ARKOVA
Rodric’s body slumped and toppled down the dais as Vaddon’s dagger receded.
My mind spun, tracking this new development as I stood between Charon’s massive legs. They’d borne the brunt of Themis’s explosion of magic, which was good because I’d used my healing magic on Charon earlier. He’d taken a spear to the neck. He claimed it wouldn’t have killed him, but there was no way I could watch him suffer so horrendously.
None of the other guards had gotten close to us. Charon’s defense had given me precious moments to attempt to force the pendant to activate. I’d spoken my choice aloud. I’d saidit in my own mind. I’d ensured Charon touched the pendant as I did so.
Nothing worked.
I was out of ideas.
With Themis’s arrival, I needed to focus on the dais. Things were getting messy. At this point, everyone had tried to sacrifice someone. So at least we knew the ritual they relied on required it.
But what else? Vaddon had joined the fray and slashed at the back of Hart’s neck while Hart fought another guard. But the advisor hadn’t pressed his advantage. He’d retreated.
Elias had made a move to sacrifice his father. I shouldn’t be surprised. He also seemed to have called Themis to watch this spectacle. Elias was nothing if not a showman. But he hadn’t been the one to strike the killing blow against his father.
That was concerning.
“My sacrifice, and the blood of the Champion.” Vaddon held up the dagger, which gleamed with Hart’s blood. “I’ve met the requirements. I am worthy to be yours.”
Themis’s nostrils flared as she strolled the perimeter of the dais. She might as well be on a morning walk instead of witnessing a trio of attempted murders in her name. “Do you really think to offer me so little? The blood of the Champion should show your ability to dominate, not your ability to run and hide.”
The rapid beats of my heart had me near breathless as her words registered.
She wanted Vaddon to kill Hart.
Elias lunged for Vaddon. No part of me believed it was in Hart’s defense. Vaddon had stolen the opportunity that Elias had worked so hard to create. Desperation fueled his movements, as evidenced by the wild swings of his sword.
