Page 89 of Rise of a Fallen Man

Had it been love all along that filled me whole and lifted me without wings?

Was that how love felt?

Stunned by the realization, I blinked, turning away from Leafar’s questioning stare.

I had nothing to tell him, nothing at all.

Life seemed both more beautiful than ever and dreadfully tangled at once.

“We should go,” I said, licking my dry lips. “The ceremony is about to start.”

As we passed through the dressing room, Leafar waved away the servant with the coat. I could only hope he did so because he found the day too hot to wear it, not because I told him so.

GEM AND HER PEOPLEhad outdone themselves, making the ceremony one of the most spectacular affairs that had ever taken place at the queen’s palace, especially considering how little time they had to pull it off.

After the procession through the gardens to admire the chocolate fountains framed by the islands of exotic fruit, the waterfalls of expensive wine, and the giant ice sculptures steaming with multi-colored glow from the magical substances added to the ice, we took our seats around a rink over a lawn, and the gladiators’ performance began.

Without the magic of the arena, the show relied solely on the men’s skills and agility. Other than the palace horses for the opening procession, no animals were involved in the performance, either. Instead, the gladiators demonstrated their skills with weapons in fighting each other.

Salas used his swords against Regit and Raob. Both the light, agile Regit and the stout, heavy-hitting Raob made worthy opponents. The victory over them didn’t come easily to Salas. His heavy breathing and the sweat-soaked brow were not an act as he finally raised his swords in the air after defeating them both.

The games master declared Salas the winner, and the Queen of Rorrim announced the great honor of awarding him the queen’s medal.

Mother placed on his shoulder the silver sash with the ribbon rosette that held the golden medal paved with precious mirror stones.

“For the incomparable service to the Crown and the Queendom of Rorrim,” she declared. “To the special man touched by magic.”

Music surged, but it drowned in the applause. The entire royal court and the guests of the palace stood to their feet, cheering and clapping.

Salas held his head high. Rolling back his shoulders, he swept his gaze over the rows of finely dressed nobles applauding him.

For a moment, our eyes met, and a shiver ran down my spine.

I loved him.

It was that simple.

Now that the warm, tender, but all-consuming feeling inside me had a name, I wished I could revel in it.

But all I could do, with so many people around us, was to smile and lift my fingers off my armrest in a tiny wave to show I was happy for him.

He deserved the honor, the admiration, and the applause. His tragic beginnings meant he had a much longer way to climb. But he made it. And he deserved it all.

“Did you petition the queen to award him the medal?” Leafar asked from his seat on my right.

“Me? No.” I shook my head, forcing my eyes away from Salas. “Why would you think so?”

“Well, he saved your life in the arena that day, even risking his own life to defy the dragon.”

“The queen saw it with her own eyes,” I replied. “She also got a report that he apprehended a violent criminal in the city. Shedecided his heroic deeds deserve the medal. Do you not think so?”

He dropped his gaze to his lap. “I dare not question the queen’s decisions.”

“But you can think on your own. You have the right for an opinion...” I let my voice trail off, distracted by the gladiators around Salas.

As he busked in the well-deserved glory, I caught a look Falo cast at Salas. It was brief but intense, like a furtive stab of a poisonous dagger.

The next moment, Falo’s expression shifted to sweet and flirty as he blew a kiss to Gem sitting next to Leafar and me.

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