The crowd roared their approval. I tried to hide a smile. You aren’t fighting against normal magic, swordsman, you’re fighting against the great Myriana’s.
Zach sprang to his feet, squaring his shoulders and bending his knees. Then Amias, using the full extent of my power, was at him again. Zach barely kept up with the strength and speed of the magically enhanced prince. Clashes of metal against metal rang through the arena. The young men fought like beasts with inhuman speed.
Then Amias made a fatal mistake—it was a stupid one, too. Zach ducked to escape an upward cut, and Amias threw his arms up to deliver a blow, leaving his chest wide open. Zach shot up, grabbed the front of Amias’s armor, and pressed the side of his blade against his opponent’s neck. “Yield!” This time it was a shout. A demand.
Amias froze then dropped his sword. The arena was deadly silent. Zach kept his blade at Amias’s throat for just a few more moments before lowering it. Then he turned away.
But Amias was not done. He kicked Zach square in the back, and with the battle magic still enhancing his strength, it sent Zach flying into a lit torch at the edge of the training area. The torch went down and rolled across the grass. Flames spread as Zach heaved himself up.
Before I could stop myself, I was sprinting down the steps and onto the grounds.
Zach was running as well, his sword pointed at Amias like a jousting stick.
The flames climbed up the white bark of the jerr trees.
Zach met Amias’s sword with the sound of a lightning strike. Amias staggered, and Zach reeled back, then slammed the pommel of his sword into the vulnerable part of Amias’s temple. Amias crumpled, the blue magic that encased him snuffed out like a candle.
When I finally reached the two of them, breathing hard as the fire swarmed up into the red leaves of the trees, Amias was unconscious.
Zach glanced over his shoulder at me. “I hate sore losers.”
I could do nothing but stare at the swordsman.
He had won.
Not only had he won against Amias, but he had won against me. He had faced my magic absolutely powerless and won.
Chapter
Eight
At the Wall
“You…you just…”
Zach looked at the rising flames. “Oh, no.” He scratched the back of his head. “Bloody idiot ruined the lovely trees.”
“Not the fire!” He looked back at me in surprise, and I tried to calm myself. “How did you…?”
Master Gelloren came up beside me, robes billowing. With a flick of his wrist, the fire extinguished and smoke filled the air.
“Zach, your reputation precedes you,” he said, moving his hands back inside the sleeves of his robe. “That was quite impressive.”
“Glad you enjoyed the show. I don’t suppose breakfast is ready?” Zach swung his sword onto his shoulder. “That really worked up an appetite.”
“Of course. I’ll have a page show you the way.”
“Actually, Master, I don’t mind taking him,” I said, forcing a pleasant smile to my lips.
“Very well, then,” Gelloren said, fixing me with that questioning look he’d often give me over a hand of cards. No doubt he’d been under the impression that I’d be furious, since Zach had managed to defeat my Kiss so easily, and I certainly was, but seeing Zach’s skill… I’d have to put aside my pride. We needed him.
Ignoring Gelloren’s look, I gestured for Zach to follow me.
He paused before I led him away, turning to look back at the trees. “I am sorry about the trees, though.”
Smoke rose from the burned leaves—once so red and full of life, they were now black and just a breeze away from ash.
“They’ll grow back. That’s the beauty of trees.”
Zach looked back at me. “Well said, princess.”
…
We made our way up the steps to the castle, passing Royals and gaping servants, through the giant double doors toward the dining hall, following the beautiful, sweet-smelling garlands of gardenia. Zach trailed his fingertips across the creamy white petals, as I had, and said, “That was a beautiful sunrise this morning.”
“I heard the West has the most amazing sunsets. Is it true the kingdom of Saevall looks as if it’s engulfed in the sun’s flames?” I asked.
Zach shrugged. “Like I said, rumors are always a bit exaggerated, but I guess it does, at just the right time.”
“Rumors are not always exaggerated.” Though I wasn’t going so far as to say I believed that he’d defeated a troll’s lair by himself without a Kiss, I could believe that he’d been able to survive without a partner until now.
There was a pause. “Ah, I assume you’re referring to the rumors surrounding me, then?”
“After a fight like that, you can’t possibly deny your skill.”
“Oh, I wasn’t going to.”
At this, I whirled around. He nearly ran into me, my face almost colliding with his collarbone. I took a step back. “I want you as my partner.”
I hadn’t expected to say it in quite this way, or even so soon, but it had been the reason I’d offered to take him to breakfast—to ask him with my own words, not Gelloren’s or the Council’s. With his raw skills and my power, we could take down the Sable Dragon. There wasn’t a doubt in my mind now. Though I was still angry that he’d defeated my Kiss almost effortlessly, my excitement at the prospect of what we could do surpassed everything else.
Zach’s eyebrows flew up into his dark brown hair. Then he recovered, smirking slightly. “I thought that had already been decided.”
“Your fight with Amias was a test orchestrated by the Council—you passed. But besides that, you must consent to the partnership.”
“That so?”
I raised an eyebrow. “Yes, obviously. Partnering with someone means linking your magic reservoir to theirs. It requires a great commitment and, once made, cannot easily be broken. It’s not something to be taken lightly. We can’t force anyone into it, nor should we.”
Zach tilted his head, as if considering the idea. “It rather sounds like marriage.”
I drew back, appalled at his comparison to the archaic Romantica tradition. But his Romantica mother had raised him…maybe he didn’t know better. “It’s nothing like marriage,” I said flatly.
“Either way, no thanks.” Zach slipped around me and continued walking.
For a moment, I remained there, frozen in disbelief. Then I spun around and hurried after him. “Excuse me?” I grabbed his arm, stopping him.
Zach covered my hand with his, right where Kellian’s mark would’ve been. I felt the urge to suddenly rip it away but didn’t.
Zach’s fingers were callused but still gentle somehow. “I appreciate the offer, but I’m better on my own.”
I didn’t know what to say. I hadn’t even considered he might say no.
He plucked my hand off his arm and started walking again. I darted in front of him, forcing him to a halt once more. “No one is better on their own,” I snapped. “Think of how powerful you could be with my magic—how many more dark creatures you could kill.”
He looked down at me. “I can kill plenty now, thanks.” He tried again to move around, but I placed my hand on his chest, applying enough pressure to keep him back.
“What did you even come here for, then?”
“Contrary to your belief, the world does not revolve around you, princess. I came to Myria to help with the war, not to be your partner. We were already two days away before Gelloren’s bird arrived with the message that he wanted to pair us up. I’d be here even if your partner was still conscious.”
“Do you really not understand what partnering with me means?” I poked him hard in the chest. “If we were partners, you’d be granted more than just simple battle Kisses. The combination of our magic could unlock complicated, powerful spells. You’d save thousands with my help.”
Zach sighed. “Please move aside so I can get my breakfast, princess. I’ve already dealt with one hardheaded Myrian today.”