Page 141 of Trial of Thorns
My knees buckle, and I slide to the ground, muscles losing their will to fight. “You gave it up, all of it. For me.”
He looks down at his hands. “I made a choice.”
My teeth chatter. “So have I.”
My resolve firms in my mind, and I force strength back into my legs, enough to stand, jaw tight as I face the crowd that has quieted to a dull cheer and scattered chattering—they’re wondering what we’re saying.
“Attention courts!” I scream. “Today, someone has proven themselves your rightful champion!”
The crowd screams.
“Today, a terrible crime was committed before you all. An innocent life taken for no reason but petty revenge. But luckily for all of us, there was a hero here.”
I pause, taking in long breaths. “Brielle of the Flicker Court took an innocent child’s life right in front of you. And Reveln of the Luminescent Court saved that child’s life at great cost to himself—with you all as witnesses. He used all of his magic to bring her back.”For me, I leave out.
“Isn’t that what a champion is?” I cry louder than before. Tears sting my eyes. I believe what I’m saying. I believe it with everything inside of me.
The crowd hushes at that.
“Caelynn,” Rev warns. “What are you doing? You won.”
“Isn’t that what a savior is?” I scream again, emotion breaking my voice. I take in another deep breath. “To all the courts—ruling and non—I tell you today that your world is in good hands.” I pause for a quiet sob before focusing every ounce of strength I have left. “I give you the winner of the Trial of Thorns!” I scream. “I give you Reveln of the Luminescent Court—your savior.”
I meet Rev’s gaze one more time, then hop off the platform, leaving him alone with the raging crowd.
Rev
My mouth falls openas Caelynn leaps out of the arena, forfeiting her chance to be the champion.
She tore apart Brielle’s mind while I fought Drake—and lost. And she beat him.
But then she gave the victory to me.
The crowd thunders around me, so loud I can barely think. She could have just pushed me over. Shit, she could have just told me to jump—I would have. I almost did before she started shouting to the crowd. The victory belonged to her.
Will the High Court even accept this result? A contestant choosing to let me win?
