Page 74 of The Blood Traitor

“That was anticlimactic,” Cresta said.

“After today, do you really need more excitement?” Caldon asked, incredulous.

“That depends on the kind of excitement,” Cresta shot back, along with a suggestive wink that prompted a surprised but undeniably wicked grin from him.

Kiva groaned and was tempted to tell them to keep ten feet apart, but before she could, Torell spoke.

“What happened today?” he asked, sitting up straighter, his brow furrowing in concern.

“Nothing,” Kiva answered quickly, avoiding everyone’s eyes. “Thembi and Ryuu are just drama queens. Drama kings, even.” She attempted a laugh, but it was forced and panicked. Thank the gods forTipp who, at that exact moment, revealed he’d fallen asleep on her shoulder by uttering a loud snuffle-snore.

“It’s been a long day, for all of us,” Ashlyn said, quiet enough not wake him. “Given how much the kings imbibed tonight, we should be able to sneak away before they awaken. But we should also aim to leave early, just in case.”

They set a plan, agreeing to meet in the common room at dawn to begin their journey to Hadris. Kiva was just about to ask someone to help her move Tipp to a bed, but Jaren was already striding toward her and reaching down for the boy. His hand grazed Kiva’s waist as he sought to get a secure grip, their eyes meeting for a split second. Even knowing his touch was accidental, she felt the world stop as they stared at each other, but then he glanced away, a muscle bunching in his cheek. He then lifted Tipp with ease and carried him away, not looking back.

Kiva’s heart was racing and her face was warm. Aware of everyone looking at her, she quickly cleared her throat before bidding them a good night, almost running to the safety of her bedroom.

But as soon as she was alone, her thoughts invaded. Even after changing into a Jiirvan nightgown and crawling into bed, she couldn’t settle her mind enough to sleep, despite knowing she needed to rest before their early departure.

Tossing and turning, Kiva finally gave up and headed over to her window, drawing back the curtains to look out at the luminium-lit city. The giant statues caught her eyes, their fighting poses reminding her all too much of the women in the arena, the golden warrior’s face now permanently embedded into her thoughts.

A quiet knock had Kiva turning toward the door. For one heart-stopping moment, she wondered if it was Jaren, before remembering that the days of him coming to comfort her were long gone.

Instead, the person who opened the door surprised Kiva almost as much — because it was Naari.

The guard said nothing after letting herself into the room, but she walked straight to Kiva’s side, the two of them staring silently out at the city. Kiva didn’t know what to think, her pulse skittering as the minutes trickled by. But then Naari spoke.

“The first time I killed someone, I vomited for hours afterward.”

Kiva turned woodenly to the guard.

“I was chosen by the Rakavan when I was ten years old,” Naari continued. “It meant so much to my family, and at that age, all I wanted was to please them, so I accepted the invitation to begin training. I showed enough promise that I was brought here, to Yirin. At fifteen, during my first arena battle, I killed two girls, both friends who I’d trained beside for years.”

Kiva’s heart clenched. She balled her hands to keep from reaching out and offering comfort, still unsure where she and the guard stood.

“Kill or be killed — that’s what I told you today,” Naari said quietly. “That’s how I lived, day after day, every time I entered that arena and had to face someone I cared about, seeing the same resolution in their eyes as they tried to strike me down first, all for riches and glory and — andhonor.”

The word came out broken. Naari hugged her elbows, lost in memory. “It was destroying me — I could feel it. I couldn’t stomach the thought of nominating for the Arzavaar, not after everything they’d taken from me. Everything I’dgiventhem. But I also knew I wouldn’t survive much longer. I was strong. I was fast. I wasgoodat killing people. But... seeing the life leave their eyes, it never got easier. It never does.” She inhaled deeply. “So I fled. I was a capable warrior, but I was still young, and my name wasn’t widely known, so I was confident I could disappear without notice, saving my family from dishonor — and I was right. It took weeks of running and looking over my shoulder, but no one came after me, and I finally made my way back to the village where I grew up. But then my family —”

She closed her eyes slowly, her voice hoarse when she shared, “They couldn’t abide having what they considered a coward for a daughter. They turned their backs on me, and their abandonment forced me into a different kind of survival.” She paused to collect herself, then said, “You know what happened next — I found my way to Ersa and snuck onto Captain Veris’s ship, sailing with him to Vallenia and eventually ending up in the Royal Guard. But those other details, everything I just told you... no one knows. Not even Jaren.”

Kiva’s throat was so dry that she couldn’t speak, but Naari turned and saw the question in her eyes, the desperation to know why she’d shared such a personal story.

Holding Kiva’s gaze, Naari said, her voice low and full of emotion, “I know what happened today was hard on you. I know you killed that woman to save me, and I know it’s eating at you.”

Kiva tensed as the golden warrior flashed before her eyes once more.

“As mad as I am at you for all the lies and the betrayals,” Naari went on, causing Kiva to brace, “I also know that the only reason I’m standing here is because of you.”

Before Kiva could say anything, Naari pulled her into a rough but heartfelt embrace.

“Thank you,” the guard said into her ear. She kept her hands on Kiva’s shoulders and drew back enough to meet her eyes again, her own amber gaze serious. “The fact that you’re feeling guilt is a credit to you. It means you’re human. It means you’reKiva.But you acted in selfdefense, and in doing so, you saved my life. So instead of dwelling on what was lost, try to remember that as important as it is to mourn the dead, it’s just as important to celebrate the living.”

Naari gave Kiva’s shoulders a gentle squeeze and whispered, “I will grieve for the six warriors we killed, but I will not regret what we did. Because if they had succeeded, then we would all be dead.” She gave one final squeeze before releasing Kiva. “Those women would be the first toapplaud the courage you showed today. They undertook the Arzavaar knowing what they risked, and they died with honor, just as they would have wanted. They are at peace — now and forever. So when the nightmares come, think about that. And if you can’t...” Naari’s lips tipped up in the slightest of smiles, that expression more than anything else telling Kiva that the guard had forgiven her. “Come and wake me. I’ll battle your demons for you.”

On that profound note, Naari turned and left the room.

Long minutes passed as Kiva stared at the closed door, mentally replaying their conversation. Tears welled in her eyes, but she wasn’t sure if they were from grief or joy.

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