Page 52 of Shadows of Ruin

No—focus, Kade, focus.

“The festival is a battle,” Jax offered. “Then a celebratory ball. But mostly a battle. It’s a time for the king to pit his Guardians against each other. But also for theFatesto allow any man or woman to be called into the arena to fight us. If they do, and survive to tell the tale, they earn a spot in the king’s army.”

“How does someone win?” Lana’s face paled as she asked.

Jax grinned. “Worried about me?” He winked. “To win, you must survive. If someone draws your blood three times, you’re disqualified. Although some die because they lose themselves in the heat of the battle.”

She swallowed audibly.

“The battle itself is then followed by the Guardians’ Ball,” Storm continued. “Winners rejoice and celebrate their newfound status in our kingdom. It is a night of revelry and allegiance. Only a few earn a spot in our army. Their families rise to the highest status possible for non-nobility.”

“That sounds bloodthirsty,” Lana said. Her nose crinkled, displaying her obvious disgust at Mysthaven’s traditions. “It’s like the marriage trials but on a larger, more frequent scale. And I thoughtthosewere barbaric.”

I couldn’t blame her—the Festival of Swords was barbaric. More people died than Jax alluded to. The whole festival was a far cry from the nature-filled gatherings she’d grown up with in Brookmere.

“Is the Blood Oath at the ball? Or the battles?” she pressed.

Her questions were valid, but it didn’t make answeringthem any easier. The more she learned about us, the more she’d realize the Kade she’d met back home didn’t exist here. I hated the thought of her knowing everything. Not just because I thought it might irrevocably keep us apart forever—I had such a slim chance now to win her heart—but because the more she knew, the more danger she would be in.

If my father had any inkling of the way I felt for her… I closed my eyes, breathing in the dusty sweat-stained ring and grounding myself. I couldn’t think of what Lana may face here, or I’d be useless to protect her.

I needed to talk to Cassandra.WithLana. Then find a way to get her the hell out of Mysthaven.

None of which would happen before the Festival of Swords.

I wanted to kill someone. Hurt something. Ineededto. The more I thought about this…

Storm punched my arm, snapping me out of my internal spiral. The others stared, and I realized my shadows had darkened, encompassing me as my mood declined.

“The Blood Oath occurs every blood moon,” I said, focusing on the thing I least looked forward to Lana experiencing. “The last one occurred three years ago. We swear our fealty to our king by offering our blood as a sacrifice to the Fates. The act symbolizes not only our loyalty to our king and his cause, but to the Fates themselves.”

Knowing my father, he’d timed this purposefully. There probably wasn’t even a blood moon set to rise. I’d stupidly believed we could slip into the palace, visit Cassandra, and leave so Lana could return home.

If I thought for a moment the king would enact the festival at our appearance, I never would have brought Lana back here. I tensed, letting the ache of my wounds distract me. She was in so much danger here. All because of me.

“Ah yes, but it’s not just any offering of blood for your king. The oath reveals who is truly loyal,” Jax jumped in. “Themagic behind it is said to show the king who is a faithful warrior and who is a traitor in hiding. Traitors are dealt with harshly. Normally by death. Very publicly.” His gaze flicked toward me. “At the hands of the Monster of Mysthaven.”

“Do you have to be so…you?” Raya asked, waving her hands at Jax.

He shrugged. “What? It’s not like we think he’sactuallya monster.”

“She does.” Raya jerked her head toward Lana.

Normally I wouldn’t mind Jax’s taunting. I’d grown accustomed to it, and I had done monstrous things. I deserved the reminder. With Lana here now though, I hated it. I didn’t need a reminder of how unworthy I was of her. I clenched my jaw, trying to keep my emotions at bay so I didn’t lose control of my magic. Again.

Lana’s eyes widened as she turned to look at me. I’m not sure if it was fear or disgust swirling in those gorgeous icy blue eyes.

“Which leads us to our very big problem,” Storm said, taking over once more. “How can we pass the Blood Oath and avoid our best friend murdering us?”

Lana dragged her hands down her face. Tendrils of her rose-gold hair swayed in the breeze, whipping around her face. I’d had my hands in that hair. I’d been so damn close to having her heart too. She stood so close right now, I could easily reach out and touch her.

My shadows moved along the ground, crawling toward her like they somehow thought they could sneak up on her.

“Why would you not pass the Blood Oath?” Lana asked. She looked at me, noticing the shadows, and cocked an eyebrow.

I couldn’t help but smile and shrug, putting my hands up.

The shadows curled around her ankles, not bothering to stop. The only other time they’d reacted so autonomously was fighting me against the king’s orders.

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