Page 151 of A Broken Throne of Bronze

But I’m not fast enough.

“All right.” Viridian holds up his hands in surrender, his eyes sad. As if he knows he’s about to do something stupid, but he’s still choosing to do it anyway. “I’m the High King. I’m the one you want.”

“No!” I cry. Has he lost his mind?

The ringleader’s eyes go dark. The kind of darkness that holds pain. The kind of darkness that thirsts for violence.

For blood.

The ringleader releases Tiffy and shoves her aside. The swordsmen raise their blades and rush forward.

“Tiffy!” I run to her, taking her in my arms. “Run! Find the others!”

Tiffy nods, fleeing from the throne room.

The ringleader draws another iron dagger, now gripping one in each hand. The swordsmen move behind Viridian and me, blocking our exit, while the archers and the ringleader close the circle in front.

We’re surrounded. There’s five of them.

Against the two of us.

They close in around us.

Turning around to face the swordsmen behind us, I raise my blunt sword.

“Now!”

Like water rushing when a dam breaks, Viridian’s power pours out from him. Blue lightning snakes across the floor. The rioters jump back, but the swordsmen aren’t quick enough. The lightning wraps around their legs when it reaches them, spiraling up to their chests. They shake violently, Viridian’s magic thrumming through them.

They fall in a heap. Glassy eyes stare up into the abyss.

The ringleader howls, fuming.

“I don’t want to hurt you.” Viridian holds out his hands defensively. “But I’ll do what I must.”

The whole time, he looks at me, eyes urging me to run.

No, I tell him through the bond. You’re mad if you think I’ll leave you.

He smiles weakly, voice soft in my mind.

It was worth a try.

The ringleader only spits at Viridian’s feet. “There’s only one way out. For either of us.”

Viridian’s dark brows stitch together. Any trace of softness is gone, replaced by pure rage. He pushes me back, and then sends more electric currents tearing across the floor.

I surge forward, slashing at the closest archer. I stun him and land a strong kick to his chest that knocks him onto his ass. If we weren’t fighting for our lives, I’d be proud of that move.

“Enough!” The ringleader yells, voice hoarse. “Get him!”

What happens next is all a blur. The God of Death’s words sound in my mind.

“Choose life, without love, in a cursed land. Or choose death in the name of love, and sacred sacrifice.”

It’s time.

This is how far I’ll go.

---