General Becane steps into the aisle, a hand on the pommel of his sword, a reminder of his oath to uphold the nation’s laws.
“You know the rules, Your Majesty. Either you step down when challenged or defend the throne to the death,” he says.
Oclanna is still lost for words. She looks toward her husband again in a clear cry for help.
“But the princess will be using forbidden magic. Stolen power!” Jocor desperately adds. “How is that a fair challenge?” His eyes frantically search the room, as if expecting someone to step forward in support, but no one does. While there are some disturbed faces in the crowd, it seems only her husband is willing to stick his neck out for Oclanna. I’d feel sorry for her, if I didn’t hate her so much. Still, Jocor has a point. I don’twant anyone claiming that this challenge is unjust. Not after the lengths we’ve gone to win over the court.
Leon catches the idea as it rises in me.“Ana…”he says warningly.“Don’t do anything?—”
“You wouldn’t do?”I counter.“But my love, this isabsolutelysomething you would do.”
I clear my throat. “Very well. If there are concerns about my power, then I shall forfeit the use of it. My aunt may use her aquari skills, but I will fight her withoutany magic.”
Chapter 26
Morgana
Istand at the edge of the raised dais, a chorus of voices rising up around me, eyes scrutinizing every detail of my expression. I’ve been here before, standing in front of a crowd of people waiting for me to prove myself.
Or waiting to watch me die.
Despite Jocor’s best efforts, Oclanna has been forced to accept my challenge. It’s that or give up the throne, and she’s waited too long for the crown, yearned for it too many years, to just let it go now. Even if it might cost her her life.
“Remember, she wasn’t trained to be queen like your mother,” Harman said as we were escorted through the palace to the challenge room. “That means she’ll probably have limited combat training.Verylimited, if her husband’s reaction is anything to go by.”
“And even if she’s had a few lessons with a sword, she has no real battle experience,” Stratton pointed out. “Not like you.”
“But you can expect her to play dirty,” Damia added.
“Especially when she has magic on her side,” Phaia agreed.
“And when we know she’s a backstabbing bitch,” Tira said.
Hyllus, as usual, stayed tactfully silent, but I looked at Leon.
“Doyouhave any words of advice?”I asked him. I knew he could feel the way my stomach was tying itself into knots, even as I fought to keep my face calm.
“Don’t die,” he said, his eyes burning into mine. Then, across the mooring:“And challenge be damned, if she somehow finds a way to best you, I’ll bring this whole building down on her head before she can deliver the killing blow.”
“I’d appreciate it,”I replied with a smile.
“Not that it will come to that. I have absolute faith in you, my love.”
I try to hold onto that faith in myself as I wait for Oclanna now. I’m not wearing my dress anymore—or at least, not all of it. I made use of Phaia’s alterations, detaching the skirts to reveal the close-fitting pants underneath. Captain Drisha allowed me back my sword and two daggers, the latter strapped to my thigh, with the longer blade at my hip.
These are my weapons. The sum total of what I can use to defend myself and kill Oclanna. I want the court to see I’m a woman of my word, that I believe in fairness and honor—even if it means putting myself at a disadvantage. Now I’m here, it’s harder to feel high-minded about these things. I feel exposed and vulnerable, like a baby bird left out on a tree branch, ready for a hawk to come snatch it up.
I try to remind myself it’s not the first time I’ve been magicless in the face of a deadly enemy. And I survived, even in those days before I knew how to fight.
The crowd grows excited as Oclanna enters, and my heartbeat starts to gallop. She’s dressed the part too, in a thick leather tunic over a white shirt and dark pants. She doesn’t move comfortably in the clothes, however, like this is the first time she’s worn them, and the blade at her side looks out of place. I hold onto these observations. I can do this. She isn’t unbeatable, even without my power.
An attendant comes forward and places a small table on Oclanna’s side of the dais, then puts down a row of glasses on it, filled with water. These are my aunt’s weapons. I’ve never seen her power in action, though she mentioned being able to conjure ice once. I think with a sour lurch about how simply I could have orbited anything sharp away from myself or melted the ice with my sun beams. But I’ve made my bed now.
Oclanna’s eyes narrow as she steps up to the dais.
How could I have ever trusted this woman? Now that I’m finally at this moment, I let myself feel my anger about what she’s done. Rage burns in my veins, enticing me to call on my magic. This woman took advantage of a scared, inexperienced girl and tried to control her. And when I showed her I wouldn’t be kept under her thumb, she gave the order for me to be wiped out, just like my parents.
I can feel her inner flame right there, flickering within reach. How easily I could take hold of it and snuff it out—eliminate her, just like she tried to do to me. But if I did that, I’d be going back on everything I promised the court. Not to mention what theywould think of a queen who could kill people just by looking at them. These people deserve a leader they don’t fear.
