If she needed to kill this man, she’d need F.U. to come out and finish the job. Ursula just wasn’t quite psycho enough.
Hothgar stalked toward them, his black cape floating on the wind. “The remaining champions must now choose their opponents for the duel. Of the fifty-seven original champions, eight remain. And what an interesting lot you are.” He smirked. “Bael the Fallen of Albelda, Zoth of the giant of Pleion, Inth of Alboth, Bernajoux of Zobrach, Valac of Phragol Mocaden, Chax of Azimeth, and our phantom rider, who could be absolutely anyone.” His nostrils flared. “And how could I forget Emerazel's filthy bitch.”
Ursula’s fingers tightened on her sword's hilt. “Why do I have the disturbing feeling that you’ll be animating a ginger-haired doll when you get home tonight?”
“Silence!” Hothgar roared, his cheeks reddening. When he’d regained his composure, he smoothed the front of his shirt. “You must now choose your opponents. With eleven kills, Bael is our leading Champion. He will choose first.”
Ursula swallowed, as dread filled her veins. He had been promising to kill her. So did he want to get it over with or delay the inevitable? An icy wind toyed with her hair, rippling over her skin.
Bael shot her a quick glance, and for a moment, her stomach clenched. “I will fight Zonth of Pleion,” he announced, his voice booming.
A giant man, dressed in furs and silver, snarled, revealing a row of jagged teeth. Apparently, that was Zonth.
Hothgar raised a hand. “After Bael’s eleven kills, the second choice goes to the man all the commoners are calling the Gray Ghost."
From behind his scarf, the Gray Ghost shouted, “Chax of Azimeth.”
Hothgar nodded. “Next to choose—my champion, Bernajoux.” Hothgar flashed a mirthless smile. “As lord of the Pleion, I will select Bernajoux’s champion for him. He leads my legion. He slaughtered twenty-seven men at the battle of Mt. Acidale.”
The lanky man in the doublet bowed his head. With his delicate mustache and thin hands, he didn't look like a formidable opponent.
Of course, looks could be deceiving. Hothgar glared at her. “Bernajoux will slaughter the dog. I have so wanted to see what her insides look like.”
A chill washed over Ursula’s skin, and Bernajoux bowed deeply.
Urusla straightened on her mount. Okay. That was creepy, but my opponent could have been worse. At least I'm not stuck with Zoth. Or worse—Bael.
“That leaves Valac of Phragol Mocaden vs. Inth of Alboth,” continued Hothgar. He raised his hands to the pale sun. “The duels will be held at the Lacus Mortis in two days.” As he spoke, his voice seemed to boom over the entire crater, rumbling through her bones.
Below, the bloodthirsty crowd erupted with cheers.
* * *
Cera waited for her on the roof, her white skirts billowing around her.
When Ursula landed, Cera rushed over to her. “What happened?” she asked, her silver eyes frantic. “Where is the lord?”
Ursula's muscles groaned as she stepped off her mount. “He’s fine. He’s on his way.” She stumbled as she stepped off Sotz.
Cera steadied her, squeezing her arm. “What else? Who do you have to fight at the duel?”
Ursula’s muscles still shook from the adrenaline rush. “I need to fight a demon named Bernajoux. He didn't look quite as intimidating as the rest, to be honest. But Hothgar really wants his own champion to slaughter me.”
She glanced out at the crater, catching a glimpse of Bael soaring through the sky.
Cera squeezed Ursula's arm again. “He really is magnificent.”
“Too bad we have to slaughter each other,” Ursula muttered.
Cera’s eyes glistened. “The lord will give you a quick death. He is merciful.”
“Wonderful.”
Bael arced over their heads, then landed on the roof. He stepped off his mount. In the sunlight, blood and gore glistened off his black clothes.
Cera frowned at his mount. “Where is Vesperella?”
“Dead.”
“I’m sorry, milord,” said Cera. She looked him up and down, taking in the bloodstains that soaked his clothes. “I will lay out fresh clothes for you.” She hurried off, leaving Ursula alone with Bael.
Suddenly cold from the damp sweat soaking her clothes, she shivered.
Bael studied Ursula. “Ursula. You will join me in my chambers in three hours.”
The way he barked orders set her teeth on edge. She crossed her arms. “I guess that since you’ve been ordering people around for twenty millennia, you forget how to make a request,” she grumbled, before realizing she’d said it out loud.
The corner of his mouth twitched in what almost looked like a smile. “Will you join me in my chambers in three hours?”
She nodded. “Why not? If we’re going to fight to the death in a few days, I might as well learn everything I can about you.”