Yet, there was my twin heading toward me, doing exactly that.
For him, this was personal.
And because I knewhe’dstrike down anybody who stood between him and me, I realizedI’dhave to beat our soldiers to him.
Steeling myself for what was to come, I began flapping my wings in large strokes—heading straight for Dimi.
Flying as quickly as I could, I pulledElaerafrom her sheath, which lay against my back. I wanted to be prepared, since I knew Dimitriwouldn’tbe leaving without a fight. Then I focused on recalling ourpreviousconfrontation.
He’dbeen primarily fond of using hisfirezirilium, though I knew he also had the ability to wield shadows after he slipped in and out of his shadow form, even if it had been brief. It had obviously surprised him, too, though there was no telling ifhe’dbeen able to strengthen his abilities since then—or if he had anyothers.
As I neared, I could make out my brother’s bone white hair—the same shade as mine—pushed back out of his face. He was dressed in a deep red color that made up histrousers, top, and overcoat. His outfit, to my surprise, was detailed with the goldfit for a king. He also had on gold rings, I realized, though the morning sunreflected offthem oddly.
Gold had always been abundant in the South, while in theNorth,the same could be said of silver. Father always wore silver—I’dnever even seen himtouchgold.
I imagined if Dimi still had Father’s advisors in place,thatthey’dprotested about this small act of defiance, though it seemed like my brother lacked any concern over the matter.
When I came within shouting distance of him, meeting at what I imagined was the middle of the encampment, I paused, holding myself in the sky.
“Brother,” I said, callingout loudenough so he could hear my greeting.
He guided his griffin a few wingbeats closer before pausing.
“Sister,” he responded, though his tone rang with sarcasm.
“We don’t have to do this.” My heart skipped a beat as his army caught up to him, thinkingthey’dcome for me first. Instead, they gave me and Dimitri a wide berth, continuing toward the Southern armyI’dhelp bring here today.
“I fear we do, though, don’t we?”hesaid, lifting himself from Ziana’s back and flying on his own. Itwasn’tuntil then that I realized another figure—somebody smaller—rode behind him. But before I could glance under the hood of their cloak, Ziana dipped down toward the battlefield below, taking the mystery rider out of sight with her.
“We could call a truce. Right here, right now,” I offered, though I could tell by the set of his shoulders that it was no use.
“We both know you wouldn’t leave here without these prisoners,” he responded. “And I’m not giving them up without a fight.”
I watched as he drewTarrious—our father’s black, onyx crested sword—from its sheath at his side as he spoke, signaling just how serious he was being.
“There are other ways than this, Dimi,” I called out, desperation breaching the tone of my voice as I motioned to the beginnings of what would be a bloody battlefield below us.
“If there are, I don’t know them,” he claimed. “And even if I did, I would still choose this, Viva. Father gave me a final task, and I willnotfail in this.”
With that, he surged forward so quickly, I barely had time to liftElaeraover my head in time to block a bone-shaking blow. Metal sounded against metal as Dimiretreateda breath, then swung again.
Again andagainhe swung, aiming for critical points on my body. He had the upper hand here—he’dcaught me off guard, and now Icouldn’tseem to catch up enough to carry out any hits or swings of my own.I was left defending myselfover and over againas we flew around each other in circles, far above the battlefield.
“You know—” Dimitri began, but as he began to speak, he left his side exposed—somethinghehad taught me to never do. Surging forward at the opportunity, his sentence was cut short asElaeradrew first blood when I sliced open his side. The cutwasn’tdeep enough to kill him, but as my twin sucked his teeth, I knewit’dbeen deep enough to hurt.
“Youtaught me that,” I noted,gaining onhim as I brought my sword down toward his sword-wielding shoulder. “Aren’t you proud, brother?”
Grinding his teeth, he blocked my blow withTarrious, though by his contorted expression I knewI’dhit a sensitive spot in his ego by drawing blood before he could.
“Proudisn’t the word I would use to describe what I’m feeling,” hegroundout as he arced wide. I did my best to spin out of range, but the sudden bloom of pain and warm blood on my upper arm quickly let me knowI’dhadn’tbeen fast enough.
“This boresme,” Dimistated—his demeanor much too calm for my liking—before he conjured fire to his other hand. Touching the fire toTarrious, the flames leapedto the blade, coating it completely. “Nowthatis more like it.”
Flyingbackwardsa few beats, I moved just in time to miss the first swing of the fiery sword.
“You seem like you have more control over your newfoundzirilium,” I noted, trying to distract him for even a moment. “Found a teacher?Maybe righthere in this encampment?”
The smirk that grew over my brother’s face looked so much like our father’s that my chest ached at the sight.
