Page 214 of Glow of the Everflame

I spat at his feet. “Now when I fight you, you can compare them for yourself.”

The audience was a cacophony of gasps, laughter, and mutters of disapproval. It was the latter I loathed the most—the ones who bestowed haughty judgment from their lives of irrelevancy as I clawed for my own survival.

At least I was trying. At least I wasfighting.

I turned back to Luther, only to see him stalking off to join my other would-be executioners.

“Don’t you dare walk away from me,” I shouted at him. “Did your promises mean nothing after all?”

He stilled, then whipped back around to face me, fury blazing in his eyes.

Before he could speak, Remis darted between us and seized his arm. “Son, listen to me. You have to take your Challenge back.”

“I will not,” Luther ground out.

“I’ll restore all your titles. I’ll never oppose you again. All the things you’ve asked me for over the years, whatever you want—name it, and it’s yours.”

“Save your breath, Father. There is nothing I desire more than this.”

“Luther, be reasonable. I can help you protect her. There must be something I can do—”

“Can you give me a Crown?” Luther snarled. “I’m meant to be King, andsheis standing in my way. I’ve been waiting for this moment for thirty days. I will not risk another Challenger failing and keeping me from my throne now.” His eyes sharpened on his father. “Taking your magic in the process is just a happy surprise.”

What little was left of my heart plummeted through me, scattering in pieces on the sandy ground. Beneath my fury, I had held on to a thread of hope my accusations were wrong. I knew Luther had spent a lifetime honing his skills at hiding his true feelings away, and I’d prayed this was all another mask, another lie—but as I scoured that face I had once read as easily as an old favorite book, the only emotion I found was ruthless resolve.

Remis fell back a step, looking equally stunned. “But... I—I thought you were...” He stared at me, then back at his son. “You’re not doing this for her?”

Luther tensed, then ripped his arm free. “I’m doing this for the realm. I’m giving them the Crown they need.” Muscles feathered on his jaw. “Me.”

He walked away, leaving me shattered and Remis speechless. We exchanged a bleak look, each of us devastated for very different reasons.

“They’re going to kill me,” Remis choked out. “All the people I’ve angered over the years—when they discover I’ve lost my magic...” He swallowed hard. “I’m as good as dead.”

I had no sympathy to spare, at least not for him, not when my own death was so crushingly imminent, but as I stared at this man who looked as if he had nothing left to lose, an idea began to grow.

“I propose we make another deal,” I said slowly.

He scowled. “I can’t make a bonded bargain without magic.”

“Not a bonded bargain—just an agreement. You trust me, and I’ll trust you.”

His upper lip curled like I’d just asked him to sprout a tail and slither away. But he didn’t say no.

“Let Eleanor back in the family, and promise me you’ll take care of my brother. Use the guards, your connections, whatever it takes to keep him safe. Promise me that, and if I survive, I won’t say a word about our bargain. If anyone asks, I’ll deny it. No one will have to know your magic is gone.”

His expression turned guarded as he looked me over. “You’re going to try to kill my son?”

“No.” My eyes briefly closed. I let out a shaky breath. “You’re going to let me choose my Challenger.”

Remis didn’t answer at first. He studied me, brows furrowed, lips tightly pressed. “If you don’t fight Luther, they’ll declare the Challenging void. Even if you win, they’ll say it doesn’t count.”

“Then I’ll have to make my victoryextremelyconvincing.”

“If Luther wants the Crown, he’ll kill you the moment the Challenging ends.” His tone was oddly light, almost curious. “You’re sure you don’t want to fight him now and eliminate that risk?”

I clenched my jaw. “Do we have a deal or not?”

He gave me another slow, assessing once-over, then fished a small device from his pocket and raised it to his lips. As he spoke, his voice echoed throughout the stands.

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