Page 114 of Fate and Flame
“No.” Fen pulled me backward. “You cannot challenge my mate, Umari.”
Finally, her eyes left me to scrutinize her grandson. “I am still your elder, boy. King or no king.”
Fen’s posture turned rigid as they squared off.
I wondered what any of this would actually solve, but if nothing else, it was a show for the ever-growing crowd that watched the cetani land.
I rested my hand on Fen’s forearm. “I accept the challenge.”
“Hm.” Umari stuck her nose into the air and stepped in front of me. “I will not fight you this day, girl. Instead, I challenge you to claim a cetani. A ritual that has always been done in the dunes, but today I’ll allow it to be done here, amongst your peers.”
It can be dangerous. It’s not worth it.
It’s worth it to me, Fen. Look at the people. Most of them have never seen this done.
And if you aren’t chosen?
Then I guess Umari and I are just going to have to throw down right here in the arena, so they still get their show.
He rolled his eyes and I genuinely smiled. It felt so good to do that.
“I will agree on one condition.” Fen’s smile matched my own.
“No,” Umari answered.
“What?” I asked.
“I get to paint you.” Fire lit his eyes.
I looked around to see who had heard. “Like right here, in front of everyone?”
“No. We will step away, go over the basics, and then we come back.”
“If you fail, you aren’t good enough for my grandson. Draconian blood is sacred. Yours is not. Failure means agreeing to denounce your mating bond. If you succeed, I will claim you for the rest of your days.” Her eyes narrowed on me.
“No. Absolutely n—”
“I agree,” I cut in.
“Your words are binding. It is done.”
Why would you agree to that?
I’ve already denounced it. It doesn’t work. But she doesn’t need to know that.
Clever little vixen.
Let’s give them a show, King.
“Make it memorable,” Inok said from beside me, nodding. I hadn’t given that old fae much credit. I’d grouped him in with the rest of the staff at the castle, but truly, he was probably like family to Fen. He likely watched him struggling just as I did. Perhaps he wasn’t as vocal about it, but I knew he had a reason to want better for him. For us. And I was grateful. Even though now I had to claim a cetani.
There was a small enclosure in the pits where the fighters would wait their turn. Fen took my hand and a drac followed us with a wooden box. Fen waited for the draconian to leave, then turned to shut the door behind him. He lit a flame using his fire magic and suspended it in the air, giving us the only source of light as he opened the box.
“You’re sure you want to do this?”
“I’m sure.” I wasn’t sure at all.
He yanked out a single strap of fabric. Strolling over to me, he placed his callused hands on my exposed waist and turned me. Unfastening the top of the shirt I wore, he pulled it above my head, then wrapped the piece of fabric over my eyes and tied it securely behind me.
