Page 112 of Bloodguard

Father leans closer to me where we remain on the floor. “No, Maeve. Not if you want Leith to win.”

It’s something I wish he didn’t say. “I can’t keep something like this from him,” I bite out.

“You can if it means his life.”

He might as well have thrown cold water on me with how chilled his words make me feel.

“Do you hear me, Maeve?” He looks back to the wall where he wrote Papa’s name, now nothing but a smeared patch, blue paint dripping down the wall like tears. “A man, even a man as strong as Leith, doesnotcome back from losing someone he loves.”

chapter 41

Leith

What a fucking day.

Caelen and I huddle into our cloaks. The temperature dropped sharply as we reached the outskirts of Tunder, and we were riding in the pouring rain for sevenfuckinghours. It wasn’t until we reached the border with Arrow that the storm finally subsided. But by then, we were soaked to the bone and freezing, except, oddly enough, for Giselle, who seems to thrive in the rain.

The sun set hours ago. Night looms as we pass through the gates and onto Jakeb’s lands.

“You should rest,” Caelen says.

How can I? We were nearly caught. The fate of my family rests in the hands of a suspicious mountain troll. The borders are closed. And I…I likely have to return to the arena in the morning.

Caelen and Giselle wait for me to dismount. I’m not a rider by any stretch, but Star took pity on me. She butts me gently with her head, and I rub a hand down her long face. “You’re all right,” I tell her.

The horse whinnies at my pitiful excuse for praise. She loves apples. That could make up for it. But I can also bring her a different treat tomorrow. Maybe a carrot or something.

She nudges me once more, and I head toward the cottage.

It’ll be dawn soon.

Fatigue and fear for my family weigh my steps. I could try to sleep, but I don’t think I’d manage more than an hour, and that would dull my senses rather than sharpen them.

Neela waits outside the cottage beneath the awning, tucked out of the rain. She hands me a basket.

“Eat something, gladiator,” the old troll says. “You’re due back in the arena come morning.”

My stomach plummets.

I knew as much, but hearing those words…

“Where is Maeve?” The whole ride back from Tunder, I’ve wanted to see her face.

“She’s at the manor, but I’ll alert her of your return,” Neela replies.

I start to ask Neela why she was the one waiting here instead of Maeve, but she bypasses me and heads toward the manor.

I was already in a horrible mood, and knowing I’m returning to the arena makes it worse.

Still wet and shivering, I light the fireplace. Damn. That rainstorm seemed more magically charged than anything from nature, just like the fire that set the gate ablaze, creating all manner of havoc. I’m certain both were conjured by Giselle.

She’s a powerful mage.

But despite my questions, she said nothing of what happened—even when I thanked her for her assistance.

I close my eyes and let out a deep sigh. I just want this day to end.

I strip out of my wet clothes and place them over the hearth. I change into dry breeches and a freshly laundered linen shirt, then wrap myself in a blanket, but even with the fire blazing, I’m absurdly cold.

---