Page 64 of Shadows of Ruin

Kade shifted, stepping back to stand behind Raya and me.

I wanted to ask him what to do, but I couldn’t risk anyone hearing. Whatever instincts I possessed, I’d need to trust them. Right now, everything inside of me rebelled at putting my blood in that cauldron.

Jax furrowed his brow as he sliced his hand on the dagger, dripping his blood into the smoking vessel. The red coloring pulsated, and then nothing. No hiss. No black smoke.

Jax passed, walking forward to take his place behind the king.

Storm approached Cassandra next.

I clasped my hand into a fist, unable to stop the tremor racing through me.

He repeated the motion, slicing his hand, and Cassandra did her job once more. Storm passed.

Raya approached next, leaving me standing with Kade at my back.

As expected, Raya passed as well.

I was out of time trying to come up with a plan. I refused to swear fealty. Or even pretend. Kade and the others were in a position where they had no choice.

But I had a choice.

I was Princess Illiana Dresden. And no amount of fear would stop me from denying my family. My title.

Cassandra’s gaze hit me, and her wariness pushed me over the line for what I had to do. That one fearful look told me her fakingmyoath would be more difficult than the others.

“King Dargan, I did not choose this fight,” I said. “A Blood Oath should be given freely, willingly, not forced.”

The king’s brow cocked. “The Fates spoke very clearly, and whether forced or not, those who participate in the Festival of Swords must swear their loyalty to their king.”

“I cannot take a Blood Oath to you. For my loyalty forever belongs elsewhere.”

I kept my voice as quiet as possible so only those closest could hear. Shouting out my refusal of the Blood Oath would have been a mistake. Tits and daggers,thismight be a mistake too. Cassandra’s face slackened with what looked like relief.

I had to do this. I knew it in the marrow of my bones.

The king’s sneer intensified as he approached me. “If you dare defy the Fates and their calling, if you are disloyal to your king, you will die a traitor. Simple as that.”

Kade stepped closer behind me, and the king’s gaze flicked over my head to his son. “I might enjoy making you kill her.”

I moved closer to the king, steeling my nerves. “I will not take the Blood Oath to you because I am loyal to my own kingdom.”

The king’s eyes widened, staring at me. A dawn of understanding washed over him before his face hardened. “What did you say?”

“I am the Princess of Brookmere,” I said, voice low. “I do not swear loyalty to anyone but myself and my people.”

He stepped back, like my words had a physical effect on him. His wild gaze darted to Kade, eyes narrowing. “I want to watch you take your oath, boy.Now.”

I steadied myself. Refusing to let the fear welling inside of me slip out in any way in case the king watched. And oh, Iknewhe did.

Kade grabbed the dagger and cut his hand, holding it over the cauldron while Cassandra stepped back. If the hiss came, the black smoke, I’d fight by his side to escape.

A red flare, strong and convincing, radiated from the cauldron.

Kade passed.

The king’s anger enveloped me, making me want to shrink back, but I wouldn’t give him the satisfaction. He stared at Kade until that evil smile reappeared.

“Very well, how could we deny the sanctity of royal blood?” He sneered again as he walked away toward the front of the arena and turned to Kade. “Kill the traitors…and make it good.”

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