Page 150 of Of Stars and Lightning
It was like a dance. He lunged, but Sol evaded. She ran, and he followed. She didn’t know how long they did this, only that it was long enough to leave her entire body shaking. Although she was on the defensive, never once did he truly wield his Wards at her, only enough to keep her swaying from corner to corner. She had no weapons, only wavering willpower—the dance became exhausting.
“Just kill me if you’re going to,” she yelled at him. “You’re holding back.”
He propelled forward with a boom of his lightning, this time catching Sol off guard as he tackled her to the ground. Air left her lungs as her back collided with the mud.
Cas pinned her in place, his thighs and knees squeezing her own as he leaned close. “I may be holding back, but you’re not even trying.”
Sol strained to pull air into her lungs. “I told you I wouldn't fight you–and unlike you, I don’t break my promises.”
He tapped her necklace subtly. “I won’t give you this opportunity again.”
She glared at him. “What are you??—”
“If we stay like this longer, it will be suspicious.” His eyes were back to silver, soft and familiar. “Take the kill.”
Sol gritted her teeth and shut her eyes. “Never.”
She turned her head to the King, her anger flaring at the wicked smirk on his face.
“I call Rule and Law 5.4!” she yelled as loud as she could, dirt and wind swirling over her face.
The King’s smile instantly fell. His eyes hardened.
Sol looked back at Cas, who still hovered above her. He furrowed his brows at her in confusion. “What??—”
“I’m sorry,” she said breathlessly, pressing herscarred palm to his chest. With her other hand, she pulled him down, pressing them together. Then, like an inhale, the space around them swelled.
Stilled.
And like an exhale, the magic burst.
It propelled from within her palm, unfolding and spreading with a force that pushed Sol back onto the ground.
She expected it to hurt or enhance her already aching body.
But it was the opposite.
For the first time in a long time, her thoughts calmed. Silenced.
The magic fizzled through her, whispering to every ache and wound to calm, engulfing her in the gentlest embrace.
All pain vanished, replaced with tender waves. She could have stayed there forever. On the ground, looking up at the radiant sun.
And she did.
Forty Seven
SAWYER
THE MOMENT SAWYERsaw her cousin use Dark Magic, she stalked over to Jeriyah and punched him in the face. She didn’t enjoy it, but they needed the Enchantment separating the spectators from the prospects gone.
Fast.
It was a soft hit, more like a push, but the man still went down with a clatter, his book of prayers tumbling to the ground. Sawyer muttered an apology while Samara snapped her head toward them. She expected the woman to lunge or curse at her, but her expression mirrored the urgency Sawyer felt.
Help him.
Nina and Alix were already by the edge of the arena, ready to jump into the field as soon as the Enchantment fell. By the time Sawyer shouldered her way through the crowd to join them, healers already swarmed toward Sol and Cas, both lying motionless on the ground amidst a haze of blue mist.
