Page 78 of Of Night and Blood: Special Edition

I knew then the only words that I could offer. As the sun began to rise in the distance, as the light of a new day started to shine through the partially open tent flap, I put my arms around the demon prince of Eoforhild and spoke.

“I see you, Bellamy. All of you. And I am not afraid.”

Chapter Forty-Three

The following night we made camp on a snowy mountain side.

I had seen forests, deserts, mountains, seas, valleys, and so much more during this journey. Things I never had the chance to lay my eyes on before. With time, I found myself feeling more free as a captive than I had as a princess. Especially now that I was a somewhat decent rider. Frost and I maintained a far quicker pace, though I was still the least skilled of our group. I did not think I would ever be great at it, but the silver mare made up for my lacking with ease.

I had been training with Bellamy and each of his Trusted daily, quickly learning to balance the use of my power and my physical strength. The first time I disarmed Ranbir the entire group had screamed with joy. Then I bested Winona. Then Cyprus. Then Noe.

My victory over the Moon had been a shock. She was, after all, a trained assassin. Moreover, Bellamy had been instructing them all to block me. They each succeeded at various rates and capacities, but it did add to the already difficult task of fighting while trying to focus my mind and power. So I did not let the win go to my head, barely even allowing for celebration.

Harder and harder I trained, pushing myself every day with the image of Tish’s face in my head, her horror at the sight of me bloodied and broken. Never again, I chanted in my mind.

Henry had been baffled when I finally took him down on day forty-three. Actually, the only one who was not surprised was Bellamy. The rest of us, including myself, sat still for a moment. We stared and stared and stared at my dagger against Henry’s heart, his back against the snow.

But Bellamy started clapping.

When we finally snapped out of our daze, he ran to me, hoisting me in the air and spinning. I laughed, leaning my head back as he called a fresh wind to us, blowing my hair around my face. The others quickly joined in, Henry included, though he called it luck.

I had never felt so powerful, so unstoppable. Still, I reminded myself I had two more to take down.

Three days later, I beat Lian.

The swordmaster, who was also a Captain in Bellamy’s forces, was the toughest behind the prince. She was strong and fast, incredibly dominant on the field. Unlike Cyprus and Ranbir, who held back and learned their lesson, she never once gave me anything less than her all. When I broke her shields and saw her next move, I jumped out of reach and smashed down on her sword hand with my elbow. The loud crack had been deafening.

I repeatedly told all of them that without my powers I would never beat them, that my ability to read their thoughts was an unfair advantage. But Lian disagreed, insisting that we all had abilities which helped us, even as Ranbir healed her shattered wrist. Henry’s portaling had certainly made it hard. Lian’s wind had knocked the breath out of me more times than I could count. Noe’s raw magic had even taken out a chunk of my shoulder once.

When Bellamy and I fought, my protests rang true. He blocked my power, resisting my violent assaults on his mind and body. I was relentless in my attacks, but I never won. In fact, I lost quite easily. There was once when I thought I had worn down his mental shields enough to break through, but the second I had felt myself slip past, he kicked my feet from under me and I ate a mouthful of dirt.

Now we circled one another, both predators fighting for dominance. I had learned how to wield a sword, but often relied on the blade I kept sheathed to my thigh. That and my powers. Today was no different.

Bellamy struck the second he felt me within his head, which was guarded tightly by a wall of black flame. I could practically taste the smoke, feel the heat, sense the burn. But I welcomed it, parrying his swipe and kicking his back. He did not so much as stumble, spinning low to face me once more. Bouncing lightly from foot to foot, I scoured his shield for even the slightest weakness, the smallest hole.

The prince would not give me a chance to grab hold, charging me once more. Our blades sang to the mountain as they connected, steel meeting steel with a deadly kiss. Back and forth we swung until Bellamy drew first blood. My leg screamed in agony as he sliced through the area just above my knee. Blood oozed out of me, but I continued on, dodging his next attack.

Bellamy had told me in the beginning that those who I would need a sword against would not hear reason or hold back; they would kill me if I let them. Which meant no rules. I was to use every weapon in my arsenal, and he would do the same. Though he never did use his powers beyond a simple gust of wind or shake of earth. He had never so much as smacked me with snow or heated my sword. Still, I never came close to besting him.

Which was why I knew what I would need to do to beat Bellamy.

This time, when he came for my back, I turned, facing him head on. He ran into me, taking us both to the ground until he sat straddling me from above. I feigned exhaustion, allowing him to think me weak, because that would be my saving grace one day.

When he gave me a dimpled smile, his lips not far from mine, I reached up and cupped his face with both hands. His startled expression was all I needed to encourage my plan. I leaned in, letting my eyes flutter closed, and just when our lips met in a soft caress, I sprung.

My power flooded his mind, tearing through his shield. He was unsuspecting, confused, and unsteady. It was everything he could not afford to be in my presence, because it was all the opportunity I needed. Suddenly, I was him and he was me and everything I wanted was mine for the taking.

Hello, demon, I said in his head.

The prince flinched, rearing back at the realization that he was too late to stop me, though he tried to force my power from himself. He thrashed on the ground as I squeezed, adding more and more pressure in his temples. The others barely breathed, every one of them stunned into silence. Then, as easily as saying the words myself, I fed Bellamy a sentence I had been plotting for days.

He relaxed, straightening and moving to rest on one knee, bowing to me.

“I concede, for you are far stronger than I—a foolish demon—could ever be. All hail, Asher. A gorgeous and talented fae with skill beyond compare.” With that, I too got down on my knees, placing my dagger against his throat.

“It seems you have been bested, Elemental,” I spoke, exhilaration heavy on my face. I was bragging, being a sore winner of sorts, but I did not care. I had beat him.

The group burst into laughter, adding in cheers here and there. But Bellamy did not look away from me.

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