Page 74 of Spirit Rites
“Who fights with you, Vaelor, son of Terenibus?”
“Brenes,” Vaelor calls back. The man in the green robe seems to be waiting for something, but then he turns to Kaldar.
“Who fights with you, Kaldar, son of Raelor?”
“Taren, son of Thesemus,” Kaldar says.
The man in the green robes turns so he can see all four of the men in the center of the arena. “You all understand that this is a fight to the death?”
A cry is wrenched from my lips, and I stare at Kaldar in horror. “Stand strong, my Queen,” Jorren says quietly next to me. “Every eye in this arena will be on you. You will honor Kaldar by staying strong, no matter what happens.”
My legs feel like they might give out on me. I miss the rest of the instructions because I can’t hear over the roaring in my head. I stagger a moment, and Reika elbows me hard. “Pull it together. Now. Theonlything you can do to help right now is to be strong. Either be the queen Kaldar needs right now, or leave because you falling apart won’t help him now.” Her harsh words slam into me, and I might hate her in this moment, but I listen to her. I stiffen and stare straight ahead, willing every ounce of emotion from me. I channel Harper in this moment; that’s the only thing I know to do. The man in a green robe says something else, but I don’t bother trying to listen. I focus on standing up straight and not falling apart; I can do that later. My eyes are trained onKaldar as he crouches and prepares to fight with his sword in one hand and that long blade in the other. Taren is ready as well. I don’t want to look, and yet, I can’t look away. The man in the green robe raises his hand. When he drops it, Taren and Kaldar attack. I’m not sure how I expected Vaelor to do, but not that he would fight nearly as well as Kaldar. I feel my hope that this will be quick and easy and over soon fade. I wince as Taren takes a brutal hit from Brenes, but a quick jab of Reika’s elbow reminds me to stay expressionless. I can’t watch the battle; it’s too awful. I rest my eyes on the arena floor, just a few feet from where they’re fighting. I stare at that small spot and pray over and over and over again that Taren and Kaldar will survive.
Your mate is strong; he will survive.
I can’t even respond to Veyra; it hurts too much. I hadn’t even realized she’d followed me. But I pull from her strength as she brushes against my leg.Where is Jespar?That’s the only question I can ask.
They had to give him something to keep him from defending his bonded one.
My stomach feels sick, but I don’t respond. I can’t. I continue to stare at the ground. That’s how I notice the spray of blood hit the dirt. I don’t look up to see whose it was. I can’t. If they want me to stand here emotionless, then I can’t watch.Please. Please stay alive. Please.Those are the only thoughts I’m capable of having right now. I hear the sudden collective gasp of the audience, but I can’t bear to watch. I hear a thud, and I lift my eyes off the floor. I can’t bear to see who it was that fell. I continue to hear the sounds of battle, and I know it’s not over. I hear a cry of pain, and my heart hurts so much, I worry it’s going to give out on me.Please, please keep them alive. Please.The prayer is a whispered sob in my mind.
Your mate is winning. He’s going to end this—
Veyra’s voice cuts off in my head, and there’s the sound of silence for a moment. Then there’s a scream. Then another and another. I feel the ground shake, and the crowd around me is suddenly filled with terror so intense, I can feel it. I can no longer look away. My gaze snaps up and up some more. My breath leaves my body in a flash.
Get out of here!Veyra shouts in my head.
I can’t move, can’t do more than stare at the huge guivre that’s standing only a few feet from Taren and Kaldar. I can’t even feel relief at seeing Kaldar and Taren still standing. Then the guivre lets out a shriek and sprays the arena floor with fire. Veyra jumps into me, pushing me out of the path of the fire. The crowd has erupted in panic and chaos, and I look up to see people trampling each other to get out. Horror crashes through me, and I don’t know what to do. Jorren races to help Taren and Kaldar, and I take a step forward. Reika jerks me back. “We have to get you out of here.”
“I’m not leaving them.”
Reika lowers her head until her face is right in mine. “You are the queen now, and whether either of us like it or not, you are the ruling authority.
“I’m not,” I argue.
“You are!” Her words are fierce. “And my job is to protect you at all costs, and that starts right now. So move, or I will throw you over my shoulder and carry you out of here.” I don’t even doubt that she’d probably be able to do it.
“I can’t.” My words are a hoarse cry. But when the guivre shrieks again, she shoves me forward. I trip over the robe, and she picks it up.
“Go!” she screams at me. The force of it makes me move against my will. She keeps shoving until we’re near the entrance. I stare in horror at the people shoving each other to escape. I hear agonized screams behind me that cut off abruptly, and Iknow what that means. I start to turn my head. “Don’t!” Reika says harshly, shoving me forward again. “You can’t do anything to help them now.”
A sob catches in my chest, but she just pushes me towards a door. “Out! That way!” As soon as we get close, somebody opens the door from the inside. Two guards grab my arms and drag me into the hallway. My first instinct is to fight back, but Reika’s words keep me from doing so. “Take her to the safe room!” I don’t get a chance to respond because two guards take my arms, and then we’re running. I glance over my shoulder, but Reika is racing away, back to the door that led us here. I know she’s going back to help. Soldiers converge, and I’m suddenly in the midst of a group of more than ten guards. Somebody shouts orders, but I can’t hear them over the panic coursing through me. We go down a set of steps and then another one. Somebody throws open a door, and then we’re inside. Somebody closes the door, and I watch as a guard slides a deadbolt over the door. Several more deadbolts engage in quick succession. And then silence falls. I glance around the room. It's just me, and five guards.
Chapter 36
The man that turned the deadbolt on the door turns to me. “My Queen.” He gives a head bow, and I want to shake my head at the wrongness of all of it. “My name is Zarreth. I am the captain of the king’s royal guard. This room is fire-proof. You will be safe in here.” He doesn’t say what I know every single person in here has to be thinking—that it won’t keep out a guivre that wants to get in. My head spins.
“Thank you,” I finally manage. He nods and then turns and addresses the other guards. My fingers find the bracelet Kaldar put on my wrist, and the weight of Kaldar’s robe feels like it’s going to choke me. I try to get it off, but I can’t get the clasp off.
“Allow me, Your Highness,” Zarreth says. He steps in front of me, and I fight against the panic rising in my chest. He’s so big, but he’s gentle with me as he undoes the robe and takes it from my shoulders. I can’t help the sigh; it’s like a small load has been taken from my shoulders. I glance at the closed door, and I feel my panic rising.
I lift my gaze to his. “I need out of here.” I take a step backwards. “I can’t stay in here.” I have to know what’s going on, and if Kaldar is still alive. I whirl around, suddenly remembering Veyra.
Veyra!I can’t believe I left her there.
I’m fine.
Where are you?
