Page 165 of Of Nine So Bold

The murmurs around the room became cries of surprise.

“Well, fuck.” Dread filled Clay’s voice.

I stopped myself from nodding, even as my heart sank. It was impressive. Admittedly disturbing, yes, given the fact it looked like blood hanging in the air. But the crimson glow seemed a clear sign the duke was tied to the throne.

Gods, how quickly could we get out of here?

I glanced at my friends, wishing I could ask. But to do so would only provoke the predators among the giants to attack us, never mind how my friends weren’t even looking at me anyway. Dex’s eyes darted across the room like he was running every possible escape scenario through his mind, not liking any of them, while most of the rest of my friends appeared on the edge of grabbing their swords, prepared for the fight we all knew had to be coming.

But Byron’s eyes were narrowed. He didn’t seem impressed at all. More like he saw something other than confirmation of the duke’s claim to the throne in that blood-red shimmer.

Confused, I pitched my voice as low as I could and whispered to him, “What’s wrong? Why do you?—”

“The waters speak,” Ignatius called, cutting off my question. “This one does indeed have a claim to the throne.”

Never mind then. But I swore the older scholar’s voice was tight, like he wasn’t any happier with this answer than we were.Even the duke seemed to hear that, his eyes sliding briefly to Ignatius as if making note of the tone.

“The dwarf!” someone in the crowd shouted. “Test the dwarf!”

Cries of agreement ran through the room.

I swallowed hard and then cursed myself silently for the brief show of nervousness.

But here came the moment I’dneverbeen waiting for.

Duke Ensid drew himself up, that smirk returning to his lips. “Indeed. Let us prove this little dwarf’s claim to be false with our precious Erenlian waters.”

Dex’s jaw muscles twitched. A low, displeased rumble came from Ozias, while Roan cracked his neck like the demon was fighting to get out.

But what would happen when the waters reallydidprove that?

Gwyneira’s hand squeezed mine gently. “It’s going to be okay,” she murmured. “No matter what.”

Utter certainty was in her eyes, and it stilled my breath. Gods, I loved her. Marveled at her. Wanted to spend the rest of my life worshipping her. She’d come so far from the frightened princess who once collapsed in exhaustion inside the cabin of seven strangers, and no matter what, she would always be my queen.

Gods, please don’t let this be the last time I saw her…

“We’re with you,” Dex assured me, his eyes on the giants.

I nodded, trying to look confident when I felt anything but.

Yet, in nature, animals would puff themselves up when they were scared, pretending courage although they were secretly terrified.

So that would be my choice too.

And with any luck, the Erenlians before me wouldn’t know the difference.

“You’ve got this, buddy.” Clay flashed his bright, joking grin, the one I hadn’t seen in a long while.

Right now, it looked like a shield on the battlefield. Turning to face the giants, he stood shoulder to shoulder with Dex, while nearby, the rest of my friends did the same, until they all formed their own wall between me and the crowd.

A small shiver coursed through me, one made of gratitude and love for the incredible family I had. Yes, I knew we’d all be running for our lives in a few minutes, but I’d still be worthy of their faith in me.

Holding myself as if I feared nothing, I took off my boots and then swung my legs over the lip of the basin. Noises of amusement came from the crowd to see me hoisting myself past the ledge.

Nearby, Ozias growled louder, the sound bordering on feral.

And honestly, even that helped. Yes, it was odd to know he could make that sound because he wasn’t exactly Erenlian like I was. But when I glanced back, his eyes were on the crowd and his body language radiated that death was coming for whoever mocked me.

---