Page 73 of Fae Champion

He shrugged. “It was no big deal.”

Only it had been; it had been one of the biggest. With so little time spent together, Reed had still wanted to help me escape, to do what he could to ease my suffering.

“You’re a good guy, Reed. A good … friend.”

His answering grin beamed until it just as rapidly dropped, as if he’d suddenly remembered where we stood and why all over again. “I came here to warn you. The queen had all the dragon heads in Embermere taken down. All the pillars are bare right now. She doesn’t want you to do … well, whatever it is you did to bring that head to life so it could defend you. Also, Millicent left the stables. She’s at the court now.”

I frowned at the memory of her in Lennox’scompany. “I saw her. Do you know what happened? How she’s at the court?”

“Not really, other than I heard she’s now Her Majesty’s favorite feethle.”

I felt my eyes widen. “Millicentis the queen’s new pet?”

He nodded, tucking tumbling hair behind an ear. “Watch your back with her. Not sure why, but she really hates you.”

I sighed, rolling my neck. “Thanks for the warning. Hey, I’ll?—”

But my promise to finally visit him was cut off as Azariah’s voice rang out. “Ladies, gentlemen, creatures, and assorted pests of the mirror world, welcome to the final match of the Gladius Probatio!” His announcement worked up to a crescendo, and thunderous applause followed.

I’d turned in the direction of the unisus, who now stood out in the middle of the arena, clouds drifting around him, making him appear even more majestic than usual with his muscled, white body and twisting, piercing horn.

Reed grasped my arm, returning my attention to him.

Urgently, he said, “May your ancestors cheer you on from the Etherlands, and may you draw first blood.” His voice dropping even lower, he added, “Forever as one in the light. Forever divided in the darkness.”

My head bobbed in silent thanks as the momentwhen I’d have to fight Rush barreled—faster and faster—toward me.

“I like Rush, and I really hope he makes it today. But you’ll be the one I’ll be cheering on from the stands.”

“Thanks.” The one word felt like it had to claw its way through an entire mountain clogging my throat. My eyes blurred as I hastened to blink away the emotion.

He squeezed my arm before releasing me. “You’ve got this. Do whatever you’ve gotta do to survive.”

I nodded again, and he was gone before I was ready for him to leave, before I was ready for Azariah to say, “Make some noise for our final two contestants: the long-time favorite, Rush Vega, drake of Amarantos, as strong and skilled with blade and bow as he is with the ladies—I can see all you females eyeing him up.” He laughed, a deep horsely chuff. My teeth gritted. “And Elowyn Ashira, viscountess of Forzantos and our surprise, secret royal.” Azariah had evidently also been schooled to omit theXiomarafrom my name. “The competitor no one expected to make it this far, up against the most formidable warrior the mirror world has ever seen. It’s sure to be a fight to remember.”

The unisus paused for applause before continuing, but, consumed by Rush’s gaze, I no longer paid attention to what was said. Finally on me, Rush stared so fiercely that I couldn’t begin to decipher what it meant. I lost myself to those moonlit eyes, now swirling as ifthey housed an entire universe … as they appeared to want to consume me.

Next, without a single smile or nod to silently assure me we were on the same side, Rush turned and sauntered out into the arena—and didn’t look back.

Realizing I’d probably missed my cue, I delayed just long enough to fill every one of my sheaths with weapons I might not get the chance to use, and would definitely not want to use against the man who’d given me what no one else had, and awakened a fire within that was tugging me out into the fighting pit with him.

Wherever he went, my body wanted to follow.

Steeling my features into the competence and courage I hoped to find out there, I stalked after the man who’d never pretended to be anything but my enemy.

“Give ‘im dragonfire, lassie,” Roan grumbled as I passed.

It was precisely that kind of force, that kind of strength and power, that I’d need on my side if I was to walk back out of this ring.

21.ONE SHOULDN’T ENRAGE THE PSYCHO DRAGON LADY

In the midst of slowly drifting clouds, Rush stood like a god—or perhaps an apparition from the Etherlands. Outfitted like the fiercest of warriors and armed to the teeth, his long silver hair blew behind him on a breeze I didn’t feel. His skin seemed dewier than usual; it nearly glowed. His sculpted muscles strained against his fighting leathers more than they had before. Even his lips were more supple than when I’d last kissed them in the dark of night.

The queen shouldn’t have bothered with whatever spell she’d ordered to enhance his appearance. He was already more magnificent than any man I’d ever known.

The queen would do everything in her power to get him to kill me. And yet … I couldn’t help but want to be closer to him, to touch him—better yet, to have him touch me.

When his stare met mine, his irises swirled asswiftly as the clouds at our feet, revealing to me every bit of conflict over our predicament he must feel. His eyes were heavy, suggesting as many secrets as the mysterious full moon.

---