Page 80 of Of Songs and Silence

He’s alive.

“You are as weak as the rest of them.” My grandfather practically spits out the words.

Something pulls his attention back down to the arena. He rushes to the window, the smile dying from his face. His eyes widen and scan whatever is happening below before a loud, booming laugh fills my head.

Panic runs claws over my skin, and I check the bond for Ari.

I can no longer feel his pain. I can’t hear his thoughts.

Swallowing hard, I cautiously swim toward the open window, my gaze landing on the rippling muscles in his back as he raises his trident one final time. I want to feel relieved that he’s still alive. Still fighting. But something else settles into my gut as I watch him hesitate.

There is only one fighter left.

The silver-haired Nino.

He’s not fighting back. Instead, he presses his fist against his chest, an earnest expression in his pale gaze as he drops his sword and his trident. They slowly sink to the ground with a quiet, resounding thunk.

Defeat settles into Ari’s shoulders, but he allows no more than the barest hesitation before running Nino through. Something inside of me breaks as I watch Ari slowly push Nino off of the trident and guide his body up to the waiting sharks.

Cepheus’ laughter continues, and I wonder if something in his mind has completely snapped. It is the only sound in the arena, the only voice that dares to break the silence of those mourning their children. Of the victims that have been forced to watch the slaughter of the heirs to the noble houses.

I don’t know what he has planned, but I am certain it has nothing to do with announcing Ari’s victory.

Sure enough, he laughs harder.

“You didn’t think I would let him win, did you, Granddaughter? A Warrior?” he tsks, shaking his head and gesturing for the guards to raise the gates.

The groan of the portcullis rattles my bones and echoes through the water.

He can’t. Not after everything. Not this death for the man who had dreams of a better life, a life with me, one where our people were free of this monster and the depravity he inflicts upon every member of his kingdom.

Ari will not die by a beast who is bound to my family. He will not suffer one more time for his connection to me.

“No!” The word escapes me, but it falls on deaf ears. “Ari!”

It’s too late, though. The dragon is already free. Her long body circles the arena, her yellow eyes fixed on my mate as she carefully assesses him.

“Finish him,” Cepheus orders, but the dragon doesn’t move.

Cepheus stills. And for the first time since I have known him, his features are drawn in shock. Everything he does is intentional.

Until now.

Until he failed to account for the dragon he had the nerve toownwhen they were only ever meant to be free.

The dragon glances up to me and then back to Ari, before bowing her head—acknowledging him as my mate with all that implies. I feel the moment it clicks for Ari, a rightness settling over his bones as he turns to face us. His turquoise eyes churn like storms on the raging seas. Ari lifts his trident, pointing it directly at the man next to me.

“Cepheus, King of Mayim.” His projecting voice fills the entire arena, making certain every single Mayima hears him. “Your dragon will not hurt me because she recognizes me as your heir. As such, I invoke the right to formally challenge you in a fight to the death.”

CHAPTERFIFTY

ARIIHAU

Ihold Cepheus’ gaze, not daring to look away for a moment. He can’t back down from this challenge. It would make him look weak. Weaker than he already is now that the dragon has defied his orders.

The massive beast continues to circle the arena, her scales glowing almost as brightly as her eyes. A roar erupts from her mouth, rings of water following the sound.

That sound used to terrify me. But something has changed. I felt it the moment she locked eyes with me moments ago. A thrumming in my veins. A bond snapping into place.

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