Page 52 of Oath of Betrayal
‘I don’t need your teaching or apology. For the love of all the gods, how many times do I have to tell you? Has your memory failed with old age?’
‘I don’t know, maybe it has. Or maybe I can’t resist the imperious look in your eyes that even the dark fae empress would bow before.’ It took all of my restraint not to shoot a fireball at his head.
‘Oh, just leave, you frustrating man.’ His low, velvety chuckle sparked something in me.
‘Make me,’ he purred. As pure gold danced in his eyes, I swear hepurred. He stalked me as he moved closer, his lips promising mischief.
‘What?’
‘If you want me to go, make me. Force this ancient “boring” mage with memory problems to leave. Show me you are stronger than me, beat me into submission, and I will do whatever you ask of me, but if I win, you’ll owe me a boon.’
‘First, that’s not fair—we both know you are better. Second, what boon?’
‘I haven’t decided yet. You’ll just have to trust that I won’t ask for anything outrageous.’ My breath caught at the intensity of his gaze.
This was insane, but I couldn’t help feeling excited. There was no way I could overpower a mage with centuries of experience, but my interest was piqued. To see what Alaric could do, even if it was just a glimpse of his true power, was too good an opportunity to pass.
‘Basic spells and no blades,’ I countered, and he flashed me a deadly smile. ‘Of course, my lady, but why place limits on our fun?’
‘Because I don’t want to hurt you. What would Orm say if I fried your arse?’ I bluffed, hoping to distract him, acutely aware that he had slid into a battle stance.
‘I hope he’d make you kiss it better. I wouldn’t object if that was the price for losing. Besides, who said I’d lose so easily?’ My imagination overwhelmed me with the lurid image … I cursed, realising it was Alaric’s magic and not my own mind that had conjured it. He was so much better at this game, and dispelling the scene took far longer than it should have.
‘Oh no, you don’t,’ I laughed when he drew on the aether to create a shield.
Before it solidified, I attacked. Even though elemental mages needed sigils for almost every other form of magic, when they called on the basic power of the four elements already aligned with the nature of their magic, they only needed thought, intent, and will to perform a spell. I drew the aether into my grasp, transforming its energy into elemental magic, and threw a small fireball in his direction.
Alaric caught it, and I cursed myself. I should have foreseen his proficiency at redirecting the fireball into his spell to complete the shield, flashing his smug smile in my direction as he did so. I blinked in disbelief when Alaric drew anothersigil quicker than thought. I watched it unfold, creating a silver spider’s web that flew towards me.
The obscene gesture I offered Ari turned into silvery-blue daggers of ice that sliced through the net, damaging it, but I was forced to dive to the side as the tattered net repaired itself and continued towards me.
‘What the fuck is that?’ I yelped from the floor.
‘Oh, this? It’s just an old fae spell created with the necromancy you so wanted to see. A trap for careless wanderers. C’mon, Nivale. We both know you’re better than this. I won’t let you win without a fight. I want my reward too much to stroke your ego. Try harder or forfeit our duel,’ he taunted, then drew more lines in the air.
The net grew, its strands reaching for me, but I was already on my feet, rushing towards the fireplace.
‘Forfeit? I was trying to be careful, you silver-haired buffoon. But if you want to play hard, fine!’ I cursed myself yet again for limiting our duel. Still, I would not give up. I reached towards the dying fire, grappling with the untamed heart of the flames. Ari could manipulate fire created by magic, but the true chaos of the element could only be tamed by those it called to.
Flames shot in his direction, smoke billowing out, covering everything in ash, but Ari leapt away so fast he was nothing but a blur in the smoke. Worse still, one tendril of his silver net glued itself to my ankle, tugging so hard I almost lost my balance. That frustrated me and presented a dilemma. I was out of my depth, and Alaric was much better at fighting in close quarters. His net spell was so precise and much less disruptive than my elemental spells. Frankly, I wanted to learn it.
Maybe I could have that as my prize if I won…
‘You can’t win this, Ani, but you shouldn’t be bitter about it. I’ve lived a long time, fought and killed so many that I forget their names. Those mages were all more skilled than you. I couldcall on soul blades or turn the air into poison if our fight was real, but I would never hurt you.’ Alaric stalked closer, his gaze firmly focused on my hand.
‘You may be better, but you know nothing about me if you think I’d surrender so easily.’
Alaric’s eyes widened when he noticed his mistake—I’d pretended to reach for the fire again; instead, the air answered my call. Alaric’s golden eyes slowly turned crimson, but before he could stop me, the wind snapped the window open, ripping it from the frame. A high mountain storm burst through the gap and slammed into my opponent.
He withstood it. The power of my elemental spell blasted him backwards several feet, but he withstood it. I don’t know how. My anger had magnified my power beyond anything I’d intended. I wanted to show him we were equal, but he proved me wrong with his next phrase.
‘Plynn Ilta!’1
His voice reverberated through the raging storm, and suddenly, I couldn’t move. While I’d been focused on the force wrecking the room, the silver strings of his net had crept closer and, following Alaric’s command, fastened to my wrists and neck. There was something in the net, a barrier that blocked my access to the aether, and as soon as I was bound, my spell died. Only the now gently flowing aether within my bindings lit the room.
Alaric straightened and walked towards me. His clothes were torn in places, and unruly strands of hair had escaped his braid, giving him a wild, untamed look, but the most significant change was his eyes. They were full of crimson and power.
‘Dark Mother! Ani, that wasmagnificent.’ Alaric’s voice was so husky it sent shivers down my spine. ‘I’ve never been so close to losing a duel. Do you know how thrilling it is to finally find someone who can withstand my magic? How very alluring thatfeeling is?’ I stood there, helpless before a predator, and I felt my tongue sneak out to lick my desperately dry lips.
