Page 37 of King of Fire and Flames

I always beat him because I practiced the hardest and for the longest. And in Taln, over the last week, I’d kept my muscles strong, exercising in my tower, performing endless sit-ups, push-ups, and resistance training until I fell into bed exhausted each night.

I had no idea of Estella’s capacity for endurance, but if I had to, I could spar all night long.

The next time she advanced, I feinted left, then spun out of her attack, running to the other side of the arena. The courtiers roared, probably because I looked like a coward fleeing their queen’s wrath. To gain momentum, I ran up a wall, flipped back onto my feet, then bolted toward the queen, screaming like a sea kelpie bursting from a wave to leap upon their prey.

Estella dipped into a crouch, then attacked, crossing the arena at speed in a series of startling, one-armed cartwheels. I blinked and her sword slashed from my shoulder across my chest, blood staining my tunic.

Clutching the front of my body, I gasped for air, nausea battling panic inside me. The Fire Court erupted in cheers and howls of triumph. Their queen was winning.

With two hands, Estella held her sword vertically in front of her body, the hilt level with her stomach, the blade a long shadow over her face. “Sartoriahn galaxiaros,” she breathed.

Bright light flashed, silver searing the backs of my eyes, blinding me. A shimmering mantle of magic settled on my shoulders, wrapping so tight I could hardly breathe.

“Don’t panic,” Estella said. “Look around you.”

I did as she said, my jaw dropping in astonishment. Beyond the translucent field of magic that encircled us, every fae in the arena, including the royal family, appeared to be frozen solid, their skin waxy and gray, their eyes vacant.

Cosmic magic. I’d heard awe-inspiring tales of the Crystal Realm’s star power, but this was the most incredible thing I’d ever seen.

“Azarn prohibited magic,” I warned, my voice trembling slightly. “And you said yourself you wouldn’t use any.”

“His courtiers are fine. Do not worry. And I won’t harm you, Zali. I promise.”

How many broken vows had I heard from the fae? Their words were meaningless.

“Why wouldn’t you? Your husband wants me dead. Your son hopes to torture me for all eternity. I’m nothing but a pawn in their schemes to control the gold trade.”

Her pale-blue eyes flashed white. “You and I are the same. Imprisoned by men with limited vision who are greedy for power. I’m not a willing participant in their game, and I don’t believe you are, either. We want the same things—balance in the Star Realms, peace. I can help you achieve that, Zali.”

“All right.” I nodded, lowering my sword as relief washed over me. “Tell me how to get out of Taln.” I wasn’t sure if Estella could be trusted, but it couldn’t hurt to hear her out. Anything was better than having no plan. No allies.

“The first thing you should know is Melaya’s magic-blocking power is not infallible. He is strong because he controls his feelings and emotions. His weakness is his twin brother, Nukala.”

“That’s useful information. Tell me more about Melaya’s brother.”

“Unfortunately, in this space, my words are bound and limited by old magic, and I cannot reveal more. But you are a twin yourself. I implore you to reflect upon that.”

“I will. But, please, I need to get out of Taln.”

“We cannot discuss that here,” she hissed, grabbing my wrist and squeezing hard. “Listen carefully, Zali. When the star shield dissolves, I will be lying on the ground and your sword must be at my throat. Tell no one you have more blood orchid petals. Hide them...” Tremors shook her shoulders, and her eyes rolled back in her head. “I can’t sustain the time lock much longer. I’ll speak to King Arrowyn. We need a plan. Now get your blade ready. Quickly.”

“Arrow? I’m stuck here because of him.”

With a groan, Estella collapsed on the ground. I raised my sword and touched its tip to her white throat as the forest shuddered, flames flickered, and the fae began to stir around us.

At the sight of their queen under my blade, chaos broke out, rows of trolls, orcs, and jinn tumbling over each other, snarling and growling. Azarn called for quiet, and silence settled over the arena.

I threw my sword to the side, then reached down and helped Estella to her feet. She played the part of an overpowered opponent, gliding back to her seat with her head bowed against her husband’s fury as he snarled out a reprimand. After Estella took her place beside him, she stared vacantly into the flame-lit arena, as if her mind was in another time and place.

Only then did I allow my gaze to shift toward the winged male whose breastplate of gold feathers and silver eyes gleamed in the firelight. He looked smug and calm, but probably would’ve worn the same expression if I were lying on the stones with my limbs hacked from my torso.

Hovering behind Arrow, Ruhh mouthed indecipherable words at me, likely a spell or a curse, wishing me speedy travels to the hell realms.

Esen arrived at my side. “Well done again, human,” she said. “You have a talent for survival.”

I took a breath to reply, but Azarn rose from his chair and pointed a flame-tipped scepter at my chest. “Tomorrow, you will face your final opponent, and the rules will be a little different. Your adversary can try to kill you, but you may only attempt the same if their killing blow fails.”

“That’s hardly fair,” I said.

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