Page 24 of Fae Champion

I did my best to watch them, but without full range of motion, one of them could sneak up on me and I might not notice until it was too late.

The clanging of swords against each other was loud and jarring, but Rush and Selwin fought where I could no longer see. Then the crackle of Selwin’s magic electrified the air, and I held my breath.

The guards stood in a wall around me, intending to block Rush from reaching me. No doubt, they’d let Selwin through without a problem, uncaring that he meant to behead me without need.

When the crack of power rent the air, and the fae in the stands gasped along with me, I stretched my hearing to pick up on the crash of Rush’s body hitting the ground as mine had.

It never came.

Moments later, the guards surrounding me turned and I caught a flash of his silver hair. He exchanged strikes with several of them before shoving two of them to the ground and wedging his way once more between me and my aggressors.

Selwin was out of sight and silent. What had Rush done to him?

With his back to me, Rush fought off several more guards until the queen, from her balcony above us, said, “Rush, enough.”

Those in the stands quieted to hear what she’d say next since her words weren’t enhanced to carry.

Rush stared at the weapons the guards pointed our way with meaning until they finally lowered them. Only then did Rush follow suit and address the queen.

“Your Majesty, I’m following your directives. You and His Majesty the King have commanded me to protect her with my life. The Viscount Selwin doesn’t need to kill her to secure his victory and advance to the next round. I’m doing my job.”

I bent my neck to either side. I was almost there. The ten minutes of Selwin’s magic felt eternal, but they must be almost over.

The queen slid forward on her throne, crossing a leg over the other beneath her ample skirts. She glanced from Rush to me and far to the right.

Selwin. I was able to follow her gaze. He stood still, a murderous stare pinned on me, his fingers wrapped around the hilt of his sword. Sweat trailed down his forehead, sideburns, and neck as if he were straining against some invisible force.

Rush’s power, it had to be.

Could Rush stun as well? I hadn’t noticed a second crackle. Perhaps his had been the one I’d heard.

“She’s not the only one you’ve sworn to protect,” the queen added softly, her words only for Rush and those of us nearby.

His breath hitched.

“Remember who else depends on the … wisdom of your actions.”

Rush gulped. Many moments later, just as softly, “Ican’t stand by and watch Elowyn get killed. I just … can’t.”

The king rose from his throne to lean against the balcony edge. It was the first time I’d ever seen him stand in front of his wife.

“You won’t have to watch her die,” the king called down to Rush. “She’ll accept her defeat and there will be no need for death to end this match.”

The queen also stood and moved next to the king. She rested an elegant hand on the railing, placing her ahead of him, even if by a few inches.

“Yes, yes, of course,” she said to her husband. “I won’t agree to a killing.”

But when she stared at Selwin, her icy eyes telling him to disregard her complacency, Rush was turned around considering me, as if to confirm I’d be safe while he chose to protect whomever else he promised to defend. I couldn’t tell if my father had noticed his wife’s deception or if he believed her lies.

Finally, Rush nodded. He’d convinced himself of something. He smiled. “You heard our monarchs. You’ll be safe now, El.”

I parted my lips to tell him thatNo, no I wouldn’t, but my throat still wasn’t working properly, preventing my warning.

Rush sheathed his sword. “It’s probably for the best this way anyway. At least after this you won’t be in danger anymore.”

Yeah, ’cause I’ll be dead!I screamed at him through my thoughts.

“The Gladius Probatio’s no place for a female, even one who’s capable,” he said. “This’ll be better. Yeah, for sure it will be.” He sounded scarcely more convinced than I was.

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