Page 58 of Shadows of Ruin

The king held out his arm, a gesture I was already tired of. With no choice, I placed my hand on top of it again as we descended stone stairs. Archways ran along the top rows of a massive colosseum. Designed with rows and rows of spectator seats, all of which offered a clear view down to the center of the arena.

Fae filled almost the entire colosseum already, watching the Guardians warming up below. The competitors worked in different stages, some running, some sparring, but all preparing for the main event.

The king led me along an upper walkway and down to a marble-floored landing area. A white pergola draped in black billowing fabrics covered a variety of wines and food spread across tables in the back. Parallel with the view of the arena sat rows of chairs raising in elevation behind the front row of obsidian stone seats. The king’s place was clearly marked, an obnoxious glistening throne standing a head taller than the other seats at the end of the row, in clear view of all the spectators. Unfortunately for me, there were plenty of seats beside his ostentatious throne.

He ushered me forward, past the others milling about. Most stared at me in disdain. I knew from the haughty looks on their faces that I stood among Mysthaven’s nobles here. The divide between nobles and commoners was clear, just as it was back home.

I eyed the throne the king currently led me toward. “Surely the queen or someone more worthy wishes to be by your side for such an important event,” I said. I hadn’t seen or heard of where the queen might be, but surely she’d be here.

The king’s eyes narrowed. “The queen is dead.” He gripped my arm tighter, causing my heart to pound frantically.

Shit.A citizen of Mysthaven would know that. “Well, I’m sure she’s always here in your heart,” I said, desperately attempting to correct the error.

A few moments went by, and the king’s posture straightened. His face softened, like he’d caught himself seconds before flying into a rage. “How right. But, Illiana, I told you you’d be beside me, and here you shall stay.”

I nodded my head. “Of course, Your Majesty.”

The king’s sharp scolding that the queen was dead reminded me how much I had yet to learn about Kade. He hadn’t mentioned his mother ever. Or his father, to be fair. To have this man as his only remaining family was terrifying.

The king stepped away from me and stood in front of his throne, pointing to the arena below. “There is your Storm now, I believe.”

Sure enough I spied Storm, Jax, and Kade grouped together, while Raya remained off to the side, warming up alone. Kade’s back faced me, but as if he sensed me somehow, he turned, glancing up toward us. His eyes met mine, and immediately his shadows flared, expanding outward and causing a few other Guardians nearby to run to the other side of the ring. His gaze sharpened, eyes narrowing. He took a step forward, like he’d be able to reach me, even with an entire stadium between us.

Jax touched his arm, and Kade shook his head, shifting his attention to his father. He lowered his chin before sweeping into a reverent bow.

“Interesting,” the king mused. He raised an accusatory brow at me. The flare of Kade’s shadows, the reaction to my presence in the colosseum, hadn’t been missed. “Here I thought you were brought to my palace for Storm. Yet it appears you may have garnered more than one of my Guardians’ attentions.”

Chapter 17

Lana

My body stilled as the king silently stared at me.

A cruel smirk shadowed his face.

Raising my chin slightly, I forced my voice to remain steady. “I’m not sure I understand what you mean, Your Majesty.”

His eyes shifted, two catlike slits assessing me, before he clicked his tongue and turned away.

He waved at his people.

I didn’t relax, despite his attention being elsewhere. I couldn’t let my guard down now.

Kade’s shadows were not recovering below, seeping out of him so much that if it continued, he’d black out the view of the arena entirely in minutes. Storm forcibly grabbed him and led him to the side. He spoke until Kade lifted his sword and the two sparred together.

The king didn’t give them much time before raising both his arms. “People of Mysthaven, welcome to the Festival of Swords!” he shouted, the echoes of his voice reverberating off the canyons surrounding us, even without magic.

I glanced down at the pit, noting Kade’s eyes fully trained on me. Even from this distance, I could feel his fear. See itthrough the agitation of his shadows. As much as I wanted to reassure him I would be all right, I didn’t actually know if that was true; his father had already discovered our lie so easily.

“We gather to watch our Guardians fight, to battle for honor,” the king announced. “To witness the select few chosen by the Fates to join my warriors, should they survive.” A titter of excitement ran through the crowd.

I closed my eyes, remembering the last time I sat on a dais like this, not too long ago, for the start of the marriage trials. How quickly things changed.

“Once the Guardians have shown why they are the most revered in our land, we’ll witness the reaffirming of their oaths, and the oaths of any new Guardians we welcome into our ranks.”

My gaze roamed from Kade to Storm, Jax, and even Raya in the back. I hoped they’d made it to Cassandra. I didn’t think I could stomach watching any of them die, even if I was still angry with them. With all that had transpired, I couldn't help but feel an attachment growing. To all of them.

My foolish heart.

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