Page 44 of Ember and Eclipse
His eyes widened a fraction as if she revealed something he tried to keep hidden, but it was gone just as fast. “And what necessity would that be?”
“I haven’t figured that out yet. Duty, perhaps. Maybe honor. But I think it is more in the same way that a wolf needs to hunt or a soldier has to fight.”
“Is that cruelty then, or survival?”
“Can’t it be both?”
He cracked his knuckles thoughtfully before nodding. “I suppose.”
She stood up. “Then kill me. Show me that mercy, at least. Don’t be so cruel as to take me back to that place. Tohim.”
Looking up from where he sat, he shook his head. “What makes you think I want to kill you?”
“Don’t you? You’re supposed to bring me in alive. But Asear won’t punish you, besides maybe sending you away again. You’re too valuable,” her voice cracked. Even as she said it, she knew that something had changed between them—inexplicable and dangerous.
“I won’t kill you.” It sounded like a vow. An oath she didn’t ask for.
“Those are the only two options—release me or kill me. I won’t go any further.” Her hands tightened into fists. “I’ll fight you until we get there, and then I’ll fight against the entirety of Romul if I have to. I don’t fear death, but I’ll never be owned again.” If she were braver, she would plunge a dagger into herself, but for all her bravery, she didn’t think she could do that.
“There’s another option.”
Hope flared through her. “What is it?”
He stood, unfolding and coming to his full height. “You wanted me to fight you earlier. So fight for your freedom now.”
Fighthim? “And if I lose?”
“I take you to Romul.”
She shook her head. There was no beating him, not outright in a fight. Despite her fury and desperation, she didn’t have the skill or strength to overcome him.
“I can’t,” she whispered.
“You’ll have to kill me, or I’ll keep hunting you.”
This had to be some sort of trick. They both knew she couldn’t win.
First, he took off his overcoat. Then his weapons followed as he systematically set them on the stone. When he had removed every dagger but one, he handed it to her hilt first.
Confused, she took it. Her hand was shaking even as she gripped it.
Showing her his empty palms, he said, “I won’t strike until you do.”
Chapter XXV
Devdanwasdeadlyserious.
A sudden, blazing focus descended upon her. She wouldn’t let him take her back alive, whether she won or lost.
Rel nodded once, and then she struck out, bringing the dagger in sharply, aimed at his stomach. He batted her hand away.
“You have to mean it,” he reprimanded.
She blew out a breath and reset herself. Sliding forward, she aimed a kick at the side of his knee, only to be met by the ground a moment later. He had pushed her mid-kick, easily unbalancing her.
It felt like the two years she had been training and making her body stronger were nothing. Like she was that same witch who had arrived at the Marsh Coven—pathetic and useless.Weak. With a snarl, she stood up.
Unbothered, he said, “Now would be a good time to use your magic. I’ll beat you this way without even trying.”
