Page 220 of Glow of the Everflame

He laid a brief, adoring kiss on my lips, then another on my forehead. He sheathed his sword and took my hand, and we walked together out of the tent.

The second we were once again under the scrutiny of the crowd, his demeanor changed. His expression cooled, his posture straightened. He scanned the makeshift battlefield in assessment. “You can do this,” he said matter-of-factly. “Your power vastly exceeds his. One good hit is all you need.”

I nodded silently, shaking my limbs to warm up my muscles. I let my father’s lessons run at speed through my mind—how to dodge, how to hide, how to distract, how to survive.

He had spent years preparing me for this. I may not have been the Queen he expected, but I sure as hell could be the warrior he raised.

“Rhon is a prick, and he fights dirty. Don’t let him out of your sight.” Luther glanced at me. “You can still summon your shield?”

I focused on the strong grip of Luther’s hand in mine as I pulled my magic to my chest, just as he had taught me. With a good deal of effort and more time than I’d like, I managed to push it outward into a shimmering arc.

Luther studied it and gave a sharp, approving nod. “Don’t be afraid of your godhood. The magic doesn’t just answer to you, it’s part of you. Be proud of who you are, and embrace it.”

Remis’s voice rang out across the arena. “Your Majesty, Challenger, please take your places at opposite ends of the arena.”

Luther turned to me and took my chin, the slight tremor in his hand revealing what the fierce confidence of his voice didn’t. “You are fearless. You are strong. You do not cower in the faces of gods nor kings. You are fated for greater battles than this, so you do whatever it takes, and you fight like hell.”

“I will,” I vowed.

“Remember who you are, Diem Bellator.” He clasped the medallion at my neck. “But remember you are a phoenix, too. We do not fear the flames, for the hotter we burn, the higher we fly.”

He gave me a final, smoldering kiss, then whispered against my lips.

“Burn, my Queen. Glow so bright, the darkness trembles.”

Luther kept his eyes on me as he backed toward the stairs to the royal box. Just before he stepped off the arena floor, he threw out a whip of shadow toward the crowd. The dark rope instantly dissolved to mist—a reminder of the arena’s barrier and proof that no misfire of magic would escape and hurt an innocent.

My chest warmed at how deeply he understood my heart. With that simple act, he freed me from my fears and empowered me to let go completely.

Once he was safely outside the barrier, I strode to the end of the arena and pulled a small pouch from my belt. I reached inside and took a clump of the dark soil I had gathered from my family home, then sprinkled it across the ground as my father’s voice surfaced in my thoughts.

It’s just another battle. I’ve taught you everything you need to know.

“I can do this,” I said quietly. “I am Diem Bellator. Daughter of my mother Auralie. Chosen of my father Andrei. Protector of my brother Teller. Healer, warrior, and Queen.” My chin rose, my voice growing louder. “I can do this.”

At the opposite end, Rhon Ghislaine bounced on his toes in anticipation, the arc of his shield already glimmering around him. Two circles of ink-black spikes ringed his palms, sending visceral memories of the murder in the alley crashing into my mind.

“You have two deaths to answer for,” I yelled loudly.

He raised his arm, and his spikes doubled in size. “In a few minutes, I’ll make it three.”

I tucked the pouch away, then kneeled to run my hands through the sand, cupping a pinch of it into my palm. Rhon watched me with a suspicious frown.

“Rhon Ghislaine, are you ready?” Remis bellowed.

He cracked his knuckles and lowered his chin, his eyes fixed on me. “I’m ready.”

“Diem Corbois, are you ready?”

I cast one final glance to the royal box. My newfound family had huddled together, their arms all draped on Teller in a show of support for him and a symbolic promise to me. My heart swelled with gratitude. I placed a fist against my chest, and as one, they returned the gesture.

I looked to Remis and nodded. “I’m ready.”

“Then let the Challenging begin.”

ChapterForty-Three

The echo of Remis’s voice still hung in the air when the first volley of bolts came hurtling toward me.

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