Page 54 of The Sun God's Prize
Isthisahaloun pats her knee with an indulgent smile.“Of course, my blessed child,” he says before nodding to me.“Perhaps just a demonstration, then.”
Relief is a gushing rush so powerful I almost stagger.It has to be obvious, but I don’t care, turning to Brem, who’s smiling still, though her lower lip trembles.Clever and fearless on the outside, she laughs a little and nods to me, stepping back to draw her sword.
My own sing as they emerge and I lunge for her, her parry swift, her side pinwheel drawing appreciative gasps from the watching princesses.I’ve seen Brem fight so many times that I’m not surprised by her moves, fall into the rhythm of them as I’ve done since we’d met, and I allow myself to relax into the present and enjoy her as much as I can.
I’m still terrified that the Sun God might change his mind, privately wondering what Sheelan’s game might be.She saved my friend, saved me from death, whether she knows it or not.And her father from his own ending, one I would push back my fall into darkness to deliver, no question.
We end with Brem on the ground at my feet, both of us panting, her sword lost, my right blade at her throat, but she’s grinning, and when I offer my hand, she grasps it with her leather-bound one, leaping to her feet before she bows again to the dais.
Then turns and does the same with deliberate grace to the seven warrior women in black whose order she once belonged to.
I’m shocked when they all hesitate an instant before saluting her back.
Brem is then led away while I wait for arrows to take her out, for Theille to somehow find a way to murder her in front of me.But she’s leaving, glancing back at me, gaze falling to the ring on my hand, and when she blows me a kiss, I have to believe she’s going to be all right.
And note, when I turn back, that the warrior who has been tasked to watch me now stares at my right hand, too.
***
Chapter Twenty-Six
I stand aside, again rigid and refusing to sit, Hallick’s interest returned to the Sun God, who has lowered his head and listens while the Chancellor tells him whatever it is he thinks Isthisahaloun wants to hear.He can’t really be here just to negotiate a treaty or offer up princesses to the Sunnish ruler.
Can he?
I doubt it very much.The dragon intrudes, as she often does, without warning, though she sounds a little stronger than she did before.He’s using my sister’s magic.Her rage is a licking fire that must feed her as my own has been known to do for me.Thievingfuck.
Hearing her swear makes me snort, though I don’t know why.This has to be about what was done to Neem.
Agreed, she says.The disease has been pushing against my boundary for some time, but lately it’s been gaining in strength and force.Either that or I’m simply succumbing and can no longer hold it off.She sounds resigned.I do know that either way, I’m almost done, Flame.
She tells me without a trace of regret.Her resilience is a weight I’ll bear for her.
When that stolen power spreads, I say,what will happen?
They can rewrite history, she tells me, fading again.As they did in the north.The Sun King will not stand against it, will be unmade as your kingdom was unmade.Those who control what remains of Neem will own this land like they do the north.All the way to me.She sighs.And with my power added to my sister’s…
I won’t let that happen, I tell her.
It’s far too late for that, she says.They’ve already drained me almost dry.But I have a few tricks left, and my daughter—she cuts off.Gone, just like that, while I try not to show the flinch of surprise.
Daughter?
Wait, is that the mysterious Aurous she’s brought up?
The Sun God rises in a languid grace that draws my gaze, Sheelan standing next to him, turning and exiting the throne room with Hallick following on their heels.Theille glares as he goes, too.I hold myself rigid until they’re gone, wondering if I should pursue them—to what end but death, though?—when Vae is abruptly in my face, one little index finger jabbing me between my breasts.
“I should have known you’d show up,” she snarls, “to ruin everything again.”The other three princesses match her hateful stare, though their fear barely lurks behind it, blame and accusation a thin shield I can break with a single lunge.
She doesn’t deserve a moment of my time.I push past her, Vae squealing when I bodily shove her out of the way, a satisfying if petulant move that I regret instantly.Not because it’s not exactly what she deserves, but because it’s petty and I’m above that.
I must be above that.
A servant leads the princesses away, two guards already flanking me.Wait, where is the black-clad warrior who has become my threatening shadow?She’s nowhere to be found, the guards guiding me in the opposite direction I arrived in, leading me deeper into the temple.This might be my chance to escape, and I’m about to take it, when we stop at an archway.
I spot Theille, now dressed in what I’m certain he believes to be impressive armor, swords in his hands, standing in a small arena of sand surrounded by lush greenery and heavy, golden blossoms.
Surrounded by guards with bows, of course.I’ve lost my opportunity for escape, curse it, distracted and far too lost in thought for my own good.
