Page 309 of Of Sins and Sacrifice

“What—”

“Of course I would never attempt to kill a defenseless person. There is no honor in that.”

In the blink of an eye, the scenery around us changes to an empty field.

His mind control wears off and I can move my limbs. I take a step back, stretching my muscles.

He appears in front of me, fully armored, his hand on his sword.

“You may defend yourself and fight me. I would encourage you to do so since I would rather like the exercise.” He pauses. “But know you will not leave this field alive.”

Then he strikes.

FORTY-FOUR

Ice spreads over my body,creating a protective armor just as the first blast of energy hits me. I’m thrown back with a force that slams me against a tree. My lungs constrict as the air is knocked out of me, but I am shielded from any direct injuries by the icy shell.

With great effort, I push myself off the ground and watch as Cerenios approaches with casual ease.

“I hope you will provide some entertainment before your inevitable death,” he taunts. “Though it pains me to end the life of such a pathetic weakling.”

“You’re a despicable being,” I manage to say through labored breaths, trying to regain my composure.

He simply shrugs. “Perhaps. But an efficient one.”

In an instant, another wave of energy is hurtling toward me. This time it takes on a deep burgundy hue, swirling and pulsing with increasing intensity as it closes in on me.

Just barely avoiding its deadly trajectory, I drop to the ground and watch in horror as it slices through trees, leaving a trail of destruction in its wake. The severed trunks thud against the forest floor with a sickening weight, followed by more trees toppling over in the aftershocks of the attack.

My heart races as I gulp down nervously, my palms slick with sweat. His muscular frame towers over me, his presence alone enough to strike fear into my bones. If that had hit me, I would be dead.

“You say you must kill me. Why? Who gave the order?” My voice trembles as I attempt to reason with him.

“In cases such as yours, no order is necessary. I am allowed to act as I see fit,” he states coldly, his expression betraying no hint of remorse.

“This will cause a scandal. You forget I am part of the royal House of Cryos.” I try to use my status to appeal to his sense of duty and honor.

“And you think anyone will miss you?” His lips slowly tug up in a mocking smile. “I did my research on you, Minerva. Your family will be rather pleased to see you gone.” His words hit me like a physical blow, but I refuse to let him see my weakness.

He’s right. The only one who cares about me is Mine—the only one who will feel my absence. A sudden wave of guilt washes over me as I think of my beloved and how he always stood by my side.

My eyes widen in sudden realization. What will Mine think when I never return to him? The thought brings tears to my eyes, but I quickly blink them away, refusing to give this cruel man the satisfaction of seeing me cry.

I may put up a fight here, but I know I am no match for Cerenios. He will kill me.

Mine will never know what happened to me. He might think I abandoned him. That I decided to go back to my world and forget about him.

Tears stab at my eyes. I don’t care about my own death as much as I care about Mine’s opinion of me. I never want him to think I don’t love him or that I could turn my back on him.

Determination within me surges with fierce intensity, propelling me forward. Failure is not an option. No matter the odds stacked against me, I must find a way to return to Mine.

Cerenios advances toward me, his sword still sheathed at his side. But his true weapon is the raw, pure energy emanating from his body. In this battle of strength and power, I am clearly outmatched.

Each time he unleashes a barrage of energy blast at me, a surge of panic courses through my veins. My armor may be impenetrable, but I know all too well that it has its weak points. Should one of his blasts find its mark, even the most minor injury could prove fatal. The thought alone is enough to send shivers down my spine.

But I cannot give up. Death may be looming over me, but I refuse to surrender. There must be a way to turn this fight in my favor.

With a flick of my wrists, two swords made of solid ice materialize in my hands. Against Cerenios’ energy attacks, close combat may be my only chance at survival.

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