Page 75 of Only a Breath Away

Domnall moved his weight to his right leg. There was a bit of hesitation, a barely noticeable swerve as he tried tae protect his injury. He was preparing tae raise his sword — time stood still. The sky above was overcast, the temperature cool, the crowd roared but I pushed the sound aside. I focused. The twitch of a muscle on his right hand, the small wince at the edge of his eye. The slight crunch of the dirt as his weight switched, from his front foot tae his back, he was swinging... left.

I lunged right. I went from standin’ still tae an explosion and afore he could raise his sword I had stabbed him through.

His eyes locked tae mine and there was deep hatred there, we had been locked in battle for many long centuries.

I shoved him tae the ground and tugged m’sword from him.

I was breathless, pantin’. I eyed the young man fightin’ across the field. He was winnin’, but Ormr had witnessed the downin’ of his brother, now writhing in the dirt.

Ormr bellowed, rounded Lochinvar, and charged toward me with his sword held high, Lochinvar chased him, but I calculated — he wouldna stop Ormr in time.

I thought tae myself,Och, twill be more of it,and shakily raised m’sword.

His pace: one, two, three,he would be on me—

I waited for Ormr, closing fast, then as he shifted tae swing, I lunged with all the strength left in me, a deadly stab tae his chest, a death blow — as Lochinvar’s sword stabbed through his stomach, thrust from behind. Our two swords struck through him, he convulsed. I let go.

Lochinvar lifted Ormr with his sword and dropped him down in the dirt.

Lochinvar panted hard, still holding the hilt of his sword. The cheering was thunderous.

I clutched m’shoulder, dripping red with blood again. Twas hard tae get on top of my breath. But Lochinvar’s eyes were wild, his excitement dangerous. There was a moment I thought,He could turn on me now, and finish me,but his sword had entered Ormr in my defense. He had sided with me.

He was now in front of me, a young warrior gasping for breath, battling with himself.

“Ye can let go of yer sword now, boy, ye daena want tae look too murderous. We hae won the battle, smile at yer fans.”

He let go of his sword.

I clapped my hand on his shoulder. “Ye good?”

I could see the rage in his eyes, he was tryin’ tae dampen it down, twas a dangerous moment when a man had gone full-rampage, when he had just killed an enemy, two enemies, twas a verra dangerous moment. I had long practice recovering from it.

I said, “Ye ken, ye just need tae breathe, in and out, dost ye hear the applause? Aye?”

He nodded, breathing heavy, and gasped out. “Aye, I hear it.”

“Good, yer comin’ back tae the civilized world. Pull yer sword from Ormr.” We pulled our swords free. He dropped his sword at my feet, declaring his allegiance.

I dropped mine on top of it.

I said, “I need tae walk from the stadium on m’own two feet, but I am feelin’ verra weak. Would ye let me lean on ye?”

“Aye.” He straightened up.

I announced for the crowd, “M’name is Magnus Archibald Caelhin Campbell, King of Riaghalbane, and I hae defeated the usurpers trying tae take the throne.” A cheer went up. “This is Lochinvar the Fearsome, m’brother.” Another loud cheer, the mayhem was deafening.

I said tae Lochinvar, “Are ye good tae walk now? We are goin’ tae the door, but I am nae sure I can make it.”

“Aye, hold on.”

I clapped my arm around his shoulder and leaned on him as we walked tae the door, my gait unsteady. He walked slowly beside me and waved at the audience’s video faces as they yelled and cheered celebrating the kingdom’s win.

Hammond met us at the door. “Magnus! Well done, ye remain a king!” He led me tae the room where Kaitlyn fell intae m’arms.

“I can’t believe it, you’re still standing. I can’t believe all that you had to do and you—”

Twas the last thing I heard as I slipped down collapsing at her feet.

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