Page 64 of Courting War
The challenge ended, and a black portal opened far out in the distance of the white void.
“Time to go,” Cecile said.
Kellyn grunted. “Yes.” He glanced—glowered—at Theo, hatred glittering in his eyes like a razor-sharp diamond, his anger coursing from his posture as he gritted his teeth.
He blamed Theo for his friend’s fate.
Without another word, he turned, refusing to look at her. He lifted his friend, Cecile, at his side, and they heaved Emmett away toward the exit, leaving Theo shaking with sickness on the cold white floor.
She opened her mouth to call out to them, butnothing came save a small inaudible croak. Theo couldn’t walk on her own. She tried to crawl but only got a couple of feet when her limbs grew too weary, and she collapsed in a heap.
Kellynlefther.
Cecile left her.
Left her to rot and die from the sickness.
Theo shouldn’t have been surprised. Kellyn was like all men. A wretched disappointment. The part that rankled and she didn’t want to admit—especially not aloud—was that she thought he might be different.
But men were all the same.
Vile, untrustworthy creatures.
Theo rested her head against the cold white stone, her eyelids too heavy to hold up. Blackness consumed her as she passed out, left all alone.
Precisely what she deserved.
Chapter Nineteen
KELLYN
Champion of Theoden
POISON’S MIRROR
Kellyn unfastened the jar’s lid—the belladonna—and held out the berries, a whispered apology on his tongue.
Kellyn would’ve taken Emmett’s place in a heartbeat. He would die for his friend, but couldn’t condemn Morrigan to the same fate, even though she deserved it.
She’d caused it.
Always working against him like a devil sent from the depths of the underworld to destroy him. He wondered in the first challenge if she’d been sabotaging him, but now he knew for sure. He couldn’t understand why, but then gods could make deals with anyone. And deals could be quite valuable. Brothers were known to go to war over a god’s favor.
He couldn’t blame her that much. It was the gods. They were manipulative, cruel creatures who bathed in pain and sorrow. It was why they created the games.
“It’s okay, Kel,” Emmett murmured, “I understand. You have to do it. I promise I’ll be fine.”
“It’s going to kill you.” Kellyn glanced down at the berries and moved them closer to hismouth.
“Don’t you dare,” Emmett snapped. “This is my burden to bear.” He eyed the berries, dripping with black juice. “Don’t steal this from me, too. It’s my honor, Kel. Please, at least let me have this.”
A plea Kellyn couldn’t refuse. He’d stolen his best friend’s honor by entering the games. And honor was currency in Theoden, only second to strategy and wit.Death before dishonor. He couldn’t do it again. So he sucked down a breath and poured the berries into Emmett’s mouth. “When you survive this, I will tell you everything.”
Emmett’s eyes flickered.
“I won’t lie any longer,” Kellyn said, “I promise I’ll find a way to save you.”
“If anyone can save me, it would be you,” Emmett breathed before biting down on the berries. It was the nicest thing he’d said to Kellyn since Decision Day. “Kel, I’m—”
