He pulled back, not by much, but enough to whisper, “I vow to keep you safe...”
My stomach flipped and goose bumps spread across my hands and arms. He nestled into my neck, and kissed me over and over. I tilted my head to the side, allowing him to get closer. “Why do you care so much?” The words flew out of my mouth. I drowned in the pleasure of his closeness. The kisses on my neck ceased and he pulled back, his lips red and swollen.
“Because for the first time in a long time, I have met someone who treats me as an equal on all levels. I have experienced and shared things with you I thought I never would. I am still not sure why, but I know more than anything else that I would do whatever you asked of me.”
I was stunned into silence. I nipped at my own bottom lip, absorbing his words, but wishing he would take me again.
He placed another kiss on my palm and then on the back of my hand. “So that is why I care. I care because that is what you deserve. I care because every morning I have woken up and my mind passes to you. It also helps that you are one of the most beautiful creatures I have ever had the pleasure of standing before.”
I grabbed his face and planted another kiss on him.
We pulled apart when the bang of a bell rang out in the hall. My heart sank and we both gazed to the door.
The duel was about to begin.
“WELCOME ALL. I see you are all as thrilled as I am to see the display of two new recruits and the results of their training.” King Dalior spoke with confidence, walking around the empty square space in the middle of the crowded room. A long, deep silver robe dragging across the floor behind him. His choice of clothing spoke volumes, diamonds and crystals glittered across his bodice when he walked.
I spotted Commander Alina and Illera who stood behind King Dalior, both their eyes glued on me. Why is Illera here? I was confused to why she was dressed, ready to fight. Where was the guard?
Gentle hands brushed against my back and shoulder, someone even grabbed my hand as I passed through the crowd. It was hard to see who it was through the blur of faces that pushed to the front of the crowd to get a better look.
I decided to keep my focus on the Commander and her alone. I wanted her to know I wasn’t afraid. Even when I really was.
Hadrian’s hand was pressed into the curve of my lower back and he directed me forward. He didn’t drop it. Not even when King Dalior looked up to us and spoke.
“Welcome my son, Hadrian, Prince of Thessolina.” King Dalior lifted his hand towards us, the numerous rings that covered each finger winking. “And Zacriah Trovirn.”
Whispers from the crowd erupted, some pointed at us and giggled. Unlike Hadrian, I scanned over them all, hoping my sharp glare would stop their laughter.
When we reached the empty space in the middle of the throne room, King Dalior stretched out his hand for me to take. I took it, noticing just how ice-cold King Dalior’s was. He pushed his own hand towards my lips, forcing the largest ruby ring bit into my mouth.
King Dalior held it to my lip then he ripped his hand from mine and walked back to the Commander. His face burned with disgust.
“Please welcome Commander Alina and her chosen competitor, Illera Daeris. Illera has joined our Rank Mamlia and is one of the most powerful shifters we have had the pleasure of hosting at Olderim.” He wrapped a jewelled arm around Illera’s shoulder to show her off to the crowd.
It was clear who his favourite was, and it didn’t go amiss to the crowd. Eyes were trained on Illera and the Commander, some even going so far as to throw an assortment of petals their way.
I looked at Hadrian for comfort, but he was ashen. His tense body watched his father hug Illera. He didn’t take his eyes off him, but instead leaned into my ear and whispered, “Alina has gone against my request and picked a shifter not a guard…”
I couldn’t respond. I looked back to King Dalior who carried on his conversation with the crowd.
“The rules are clear. The duel will last for as long as I see fit. Both competitors are to stay within the space provided, and as both are shifters they are able to use their ability if necessary.”
I yanked on Hadrian’s hand as he stepped forward. “Don’t,” I hissed.
“Guards,” King Dalior shouted, clapping his hands. All around us the room burst with movement. Within seconds, guards pushed through the crowd and began to line the square space we stood within. They each held a short spear out in front of them, blocking the crowd with their weapons.
“Illera Daeris, Zacriah Trovirn. You are to stay within the area provided. The guards are there only to protect the crowd in case you become… enthusiastic. I wish you both luck and for the Goddess to look down on you as a spectator to see just how powerful her children can be. You may take a moment to prepare yourself before the duel begins.” And with that, he swept from the duelling space and filtered into the crowd.
The crowd erupted in cheers. Their claps of thunder echoed across the large, stone room, matching the frantic beat of my heart. I didn’t know what to do. I tried to catch Illera’s gaze, but she wouldn’t look at me.
Hadrian took me into his arms and pulled me into a long embrace. His action didn’t go unnoticed, the crowd’s calls lost their volume of noise and were replaced with gasps.
“I have promised that I will keep you safe, and I will.”
“I’m going to lose, Hadrian.”
“Just focus, and try your best.” He placed something into my hands and planted a long kiss on my forehead, “Either way, show her hell.”
“Thank you,” I mouthed back.
He walked away in the direction of the wall of guards who quickly let him pass. I watched him leave me, longing for him to come back.
A cough sounded behind me. Illera was ready.
The King’s voice rose above the crowd from his hidden position amongst the crowd and shouted, “Let the duel commence!”
Everything slowed down. I opened my hand to find a single petal resting in my palm. Hadrian. My cheeks warmed and my heart slowed enough for me to focus.
I stuffed the petal into my sleeve and turned to Illera who was already in position, waiting.
I bent my knees and tensed my core for balance. Keeping both my fisted hands before me, I watched Illera juggle a short dagger between both her hands.
A long blow of a horn sounded around us and Illera wasted no time in making her first move. She leapt across the space between us, thrusting the dagger at me. Lightning fast jabs. I dodged, stumbling backwards. I was already losing my balance, aware that Illera was moving me towards the spikes of the guard’s spears. I was waiting to make my first move, calculating the best choice. She swung the dagger. I felt it brush inches before my stomach.
I dropped and rolled to the side, needing to get out of the corner she forced me into.
I found my footing against the slick floor and loosened my claws from their holders. I lifted my hands up, the light catching the tips of the metal.