Page 92 of Fate and Flame
“They’re getting lonely,” I told her, tilting my head to the two draconian fae huddled in the arena, watching us as they got their weapons ready.
“Let’s do this, then.” She took us to the center of the arena with her magic.
“You’re sure this is a good idea?” Brax asked from the fence line.
“I’m like eighty percent sure,” I answered, grabbing several wooden knives and strapping a sword to my back.
“Okay,” he announced, more for the growing crowd than for us. “The rules are simple. Male against female. If you take what would be a fatal wound with real weapons, you’re out. Last fae standing wins.”
“What do I get when I win?”Fen asked, jumping back and forth like he was ready to pounce.
I sent him a very suggestive mental picture and he instantly dropped the sword in his hand.
Gaea laughed and even Greeve smiled before he groaned remembering who was on his team. “We’re screwed.” He shook his head.
“On your marks!” Brax yelled.
We walked to the center of the arena. I moved my feet into position and bent slightly at the knee, ready to run as soon as the signal was given.
Have I told you how sexy you are when you’re about to kick someone’s ass?
I ignored him of course. My father taught me about distraction tactics when I was a child. Fen was only doing it because he knew he was about to be embarrassed in front of his people. I almost felt bad. Almost.
Brax took a deep breath in to yell, but he was stopped by a commotion in the stands. Fae were yelling for guards and Greeve grabbed Fen and cleaved him away before we could even see what was happening. Gaea reached for my arm to do the same, but I yanked free.
“Unless you’re taking me over there, don’t bother.” I moved to the stands before she could protest, but she did follow. I jumped the fence and my arm jerked as Temir reached for me.
“Where’s the king?” he asked frantically.
“He’s probably back in the palace.” I stepped back to take in the large, winged male beside him.
“Rhogan,” the male said, dipping his chin. “And this is Murtad, if you haven’t met.”
“Pleasure,” the satyr said, measuring me carefully.
“What’s going on?” I ignored the rebel leader. I’d heard his name. I wasn’t impressed.
“We’ve caught a traitor in the rebellion. The rebels are dragging him to the castle.”
“So, the rebels want the security from the southern court but conditionally offer their own services to the crown? That’s fucking convenient.” I held my hand out so Gaea could take us to the study. She didn’t hesitate. Fen was arguing with Greeve about going back when we arrived.“The rebels found a traitor and they’re bringing him here now.”
Fen was out the door in an instant.
I looked over my shoulder to Gaea as I followed. “Can you go back and get Temir? You can leave the leader to walk.”
She bit back a smile. “And the other one?”
“He has wings, let’s see if he can use them.” We stepped into the foyer as she spirited away.
Two large males, both with hoofed feet and knobby horns, dragged a third between them. He was a fae with elongated canines, lanky limbs and jeweled bracelets up and down his arms, something about them familiar.
“He’s knocked out,” one of the rebels said.
Fen looked to Greeve, who nodded, grabbed the traitor, and disappeared.
“Tell me everything,” Fen said to Temir as he and Gaea appeared in the doorway.
“I created a serum. I’ve been manufacturing it as we traveled and while we were in the northern kingdom. It’s a truth serum. If taken, you can’t tell a lie. We dropped it off at the rebel meeting this morning and then Rhogan and I left. Apparently, someone got nervous and tried to escape the guards.”
