Page 120 of War Hour

Severin is on the two guards before they can blink, slicing the first’s throat before stabbing the second. Wiping the blood on his trousers, he heads for the Untrialed with danger promised in his eyes.

Without hesitating, I summon a shield, dividing Severin from the Untrialed. When he almost runs into it, he sends a warning look at me, teeth gritted as he orders, “Drop. The. Shield.”

“No.” Standing firm, I straighten under his glare. “They don’t want to Trial here. They didn’t ask to be brought here.” I turn to the Untrialed who watch me with fear-filled eyes.

I remember being like that once. Quaking in my shoes at the presence of any Trialed person. Lumping them with how the Guard treated us. It wasn’t that long ago though, even if it doesn’t feel like it.

“Do you wish to Trial?”

They shake their heads, mumbling their denial. I look to Severin in triumph. Pointing a thumb toward the door, I gesture for them to leave. “Get out of here, then. Try to stay out of sight till this is over.”

I don’t acknowledge their awe-stricken faces as they pass me, instead focusing on forming a shield in the doorway once they step past its threshold. Maybe getting rid of the door wasn’t the smartest decision.

Crossing the room in a few quick strides, Severin grips my upper arm, pulling me toward him threateningly. “Stand in the way of me protecting my court again, and I will dispose of you. Understood?”

Without shrinking away, I snarl right back, “You protect yours. I’ll protect what’s left of mine.”

Turning on my heel, I find Lord Gennady in front of the glass door to the Trial. A blue light shines through the engravings on the mirrored surface, humming slightly as if alive. A shiver scurries down my spine at its resemblance to the one in Valor. I move to stand next to him, remaining quiet for him to speak what is stewing in his mind.

“Someone’s Trialing as we stand here,” Lord Gennady says in a soft whisper. He presses a wrinkled hand to the smooth glass. “It wasn’t enough.”

I eye the door with a slack jaw. The reality of the situation creeping in. Who knows how long they had been Trialing people before we arrived to reclaim the Trial hall?

“What wasn’t enough, Lord Gennady?” I murmur.

He bows his head. “I thought if they got to me first, that there would be more time before they got to the Trial—” he trails off.

My heart drops to my stomach. Mouth gaping as I examine the man who stands next to me. Without his crown, he seems much smaller—frail. “Are you saying—You didn’t actually—” Ican’t bring myself to finish the sentence, but the look Lord Gennady gives me is all the answer I need.

He’d sacrificed himself. Giving himself to Valor’s guards to stop people from being Trialed.

“Hardly anyone survives it,” he whispers. “It’s how I lost my wife—Evander’s mother.”

Glancing at Severin over my shoulder, he looks at me with a stone face, but even he can’t hide the sorrow in his eyes.

My heart breaks for the lord whose purpose in life is to protect the very thing that stole his love from him too soon.

The moment is broken when the blue lights on the Trial door dim until the light is gone. Lord Gennady sighs, shaking his head before abandoning his place in front of the door.

The Court of Truth’s Trial has claimed another life tonight.

Chapter 48

Bangs echo against my shield, and I stagger at the additional force. Sword held loosely in my hand, I turn to face the intruders with iron resolve.

How many could still be inside the walls?

With a quick glance outside, I estimate less than an hour till dawn arrives—and with it, Lord Drytas. That would be when holding the Trial would become impossible, not without Sar alerting the other courts.

It all comes down to if they make it in time.

The pounding sends goosebumps up my arms, but I stand firm, knees locked, waiting for them to break through.

When I look to who stands on the other side of the shield, I tense, ready to curse out whoever plans to step foot into the Trial hall. Who knows how many Untrialed they’d managed to Trial before we reclaimed the room? They wouldn’t Trial another while we stand here.

But then I freeze, a sob of relief escaping my throat.

“Evander! Where have you been?” I shout, dropping my shield and running to him. “Why didn’t you announce it was you? We would have let you in.”

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