Page 190 of Bloodguard

Soro is already on his feet, sword raised. I toss the king’s sword to the side. “Do it,” I say. “Just spare the woman I love.”

Maeve locks eyes with me. “Leith,” she pleads.

“No,” I say. “No life is worth living without you.”

There are calls for action from the spectators, some demanding I fight, some begging for Maeve’s release. But then the air shifts between me and Maeve, and suddenly we’re back behind the cottage on that day we first sparred. “I’m sorry, Leith,” she says, just like she did that day. “I’m not like you. I can’t make them bleed. I can’t make them pay.”

Yes. She can. And with those words, I know she will.

Soro brings down his sword, aiming for my throat—knowing I’ll kill him if he doesn’t finish me first—as Maeve slams her head back to break Ugeen’s nose.

I throw myself backward and roll away, grabbing my sword.

Soro misses me by inches.

I leap, tossing my sword into my left hand and taking one long swing.

There are images that are etched in our brains forever—my mother’s somber features when she told me goodbye, Rose’s silent tears as she held tight to Dahlia, who begged me not to leave her behind, Sullivan’s face when he knew his time had come, and Gunther as he clutched that bent nail in his small hand.

This is one of those moments and the first for which I am grateful.

Maeve launches herself into the arena as a swarm of guards tackles Ugeen.

Her feet stomp into the sand, releasing puffs of dust into the air as Soro’s decapitated head rolls past her.

Soro’s problem is that he learned to torment and humiliate in a fight.

Three years in the arena taught me to dominate, to anticipate everything, and to respond to the impossible.

It’s what secures me my final win.

The thunderous applause and cheers I received in the past pale compared to the cacophony now threatening to tear the arena apart.

“Bloodguard.BLOODGUARD!”

I pay them no mind. They’re not important. All that matters is the woman throwing herself into my arms, begging me to never leave her and vowing to love me forever.

My vision blurs, and tears, thosefuckingtears I was never supposed to shed, fall for my Maeve.

Those who are scared always cry.

I’m no exception.

Maeve

“It’s hotter than a fire bull’s ball sack down here,” Leith mutters as we make our way down the cramped winding staircase leading to the catacombs.

“Aurora has a way of doing that,” I agree.

Leith lights another torch protruding from the wall and glances over his shoulder at me, dark hair sliding along his charcoal tunic, and winks.

I smile. It’s our wedding day, and I should be happy. Hours ago, standing before my people and introducing Leith of Grey as their new king, I was. But down here, it’s difficult not to think of how far Arrow fell under my grandmother’s rule. How far I will have to go to make up for her transgressions.

I brush the dust from his shoulders, encouraging him to keep moving forward.

It’s tradition for a groom to wear their house colors on their wedding day. I offered him the navy and green of my own, but he chose to dress in shades of gray, because “Get it?” Arrow’s new king or not, Leith remains humble, true to himself, and every bit the man I love.

Leith pauses when the faint sound of music drifts down from the castle above. Specks of dust spin in time with the crescendo of a delicate melody. Less delicate is the percussion of massive feet upon the ballroom floor.

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