Page 81 of Trial of Bronze and Blood
She shrugs, feigning surety. “As long as everyone plays by the rules, no one will die in this trial.”
Marcus peers over her shoulder at the other ninety-seven competitors—Cato won’t be joining them down here.
“If it weren’t for the gamemasters cracking down on the fighting style, every person here would be looking for ways to break those rules. Some may still choose to thwart them.” He hangs his head. “Those who seek glory will do everything in their power to obtain it.”
She notes the tick in his jaw. “And you’re not one of them?”
His eyes return to hers, softening. “Maybe I was, once. But the world has taught me glory comes at a price I’m not willing to pay anymore.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
MARCUS
With some time to spare before the start of the first trial, Marcus takes in the first Valorem Blood Trials this country has seen in one hundred years
From this vantage point inside the royal balcony, Marcus watches both Phaedrans and Durevolians fill the Ammaliare Arena. The body of an eager spectator occupies every single seat, their excitement lightening his heart.
The red tunics in the crowd make the Phaedrans easy to spot, while most of the Durevolians wear varying shades of blue. His guards have informed him that more people crowd outside the main entrance to the arena, hoping to cheer and boo alongside the spectators despite not being able to see why.
It’s become the spectacle the Imperium no doubt hoped it would be.
With the sun still behind them, they can’t feel the heat of it—not like those on the opposite side of the arena where the shades above don’t yet reach. Despite his exhaustion, Marcus stands at attention at Cato’s right side while Dru flanks his left. Cato’smother, Alessandra, sits on the carved-out throne behind them, taking her son’s place as the royal surveyor of the games.
The urge to speak with Dru, to clear the air before either of them enters the arena, takes over his every thought. After what they want through together last night, he was ready to tell her everything he’s been keeping from her since Nusquam. If not for Sabina interrupting them, he would have.
When she came down to the barracks, he realized how wrong that would’ve been. The truth of her being in Anziano, the depth of his feelings for her, matter little in the greater scheme of things. He let his emotions get the best of him this morning and he can’t allow it to happen again. Not while his and Cato’s plan remains in place.
Exhaustion from the night before pulls at his mind and his body. But he takes solace knowing it was in the name of a worthy cause—Dru’s life. Lucky for him, today marks the least-deadly trial of the four. And he couldn’t care less about his ranking.
“There’s no going back from this,” Cato tells them both.
Dru says it before Marcus can, though she can’t comprehend the full implication: “There never was.”
“At least you have an advantage the others don’t,” Marcus notes. He’s certain Dru heard him, but Cato said he would tell her about his humming magic so she wouldn’t worry about him so much.One less secret for me to keep from her.
Cato sighs. “Would I could save all the victims of the lottery with it. They didn’t choose this, and that decision wasn’t respected.”
“The Imperium respects nothing, my son,” his mother says.
He nods. “Well, the Imperium did promise to give the slaves they bought and bartered for a chance at freedom.”
“You shouldn’t need to die for the hope of freedom,” Dru comments.
Alessandra leans forward and whispers, “My dear, what do you think rebellions are?”
Silent understanding sits heavy between them.
“The first round will be easy,” Marcus finally says, mostly for Dru’s benefit. “It’s merely to rank us. Most survive this trial.”
“I’m not worried about any of us,” Dru responds. “And I’ll be happy to put some of the more bloodthirsty Phaedran warriors in their place.”
Cato glances at her. “Remind me never to cross you.”
Her lips tip up. “Too late—I’ve already planned your demise.”
“Quick and painless?”
She grins. “You’ll find out.”
