Page 122 of The Sea of Zemira (The Zemiran Chronicles 1)

A subtle rumble of whispers rolled through the masses.

“Now it’s time that pesky giant of ours finally meets her match.”

The queen peered down at Mazie and winked.

Nola noticed a glint of savageness in Cassia’s azure eyes.

She honestly believes Mazie is going to die,Nola thought.

“The time to bring infinite peace to our land has arrived, and Lincoln has picked his strongest warrior to make it happen. I present, Mazie “Raven” Knight.”

The crowd went wild.

Mazie’s lips curled when she looked to her mates, then pounded her fist into her palm, bent down, and picked up a long sword lying by her toes. She bounced on her heels in anticipation—or fear.

The black-eyed pirate was doubtful about the duel. One thing was sure; she desperately wanted to free the Fae’s pixie, which they had imprisoned in a cage like a pet. But Mazie had also never battled a giant, but she would only need one chance before it could kill her in one single blow.

The queen raised her hand to hush the crowd. When silence fell, she said, “Nola. Please stand.”

The siren was not prepared to be part of the event and was unsure what the queen wanted. She quickly turned to look at Lincoln with pleading eyes.

“Years ago, King Matthias attacked our land. He not only killed my brother, your king, but we lost a princess to the sea that night.” She turned to face Nola. “Luckily, a fisherman found her and raised her among the humans. And now, twenty years later, she made her way back to us. The only real family she has left.”

A frown creased Nola’s forehead.

You’re mistaken, Cassia, she said silently. Val and Duncan are my parents.

The siren thought of them again. Her human parents were Nola’s real family, not the queen, nor any of her Fae descendants. It did not matter if they did not share the same blood.

Cassia would never understand what she had gone through and what her parents had sacrificed for her.

“My people. We will fight for Zemira and help reclaim the land we once lost,” the queen added.

Why? Why now? Nola thought.

Moments before, the queen was still hesitant about helping her. The siren was confused but saying the wrong thing could change Cassia’s decision.

“Thank you, Queen Cassia,” Nola said. “This means everything to me.”

The white-haired woman peered down. “I know, and you and I have much to discuss before we send our ships,” Cassia said, her features looking weary. “Zemira is a land I swore to never return to and wanted nothing to do with,” she said. “I’ve sent spies all these years, only to protect ourselves. However, I agree. It is time to start a war and finish Matthias once and for all.”

The queen signaled to her guards at the far end of the arena, they began pulling back on a drawbridge and lowering it to the ground.

“Now,” the queen said. “May the first of our battles begin.”

Nola lowered her brow, turning to look at the queen’s guards. “I don’t understand; you’ve had the giant locked in a cage. Why not simply keep it in there?” she asked.

“Oh, that cage isn’t strong enough. That nuisance would be out within the hour,” the queen said. “And besides, to kill a giant, you must rip its heart out.”

Nola’s color drained from her face.

Oh, Mazie, please be safe!Nola said to herself.

“We don’t have the skill to do it. But Mazie believes she can,” the queen said. “Either that or she will be the giant’s lunch.” Cassia snickered at her comment. “The trolls will be pleased about that.”

The queen’s waggish comment made Nola’s jaw clench.

When she turned back to the pit, her eyes darted up as a large foot landed on the dry sand. The naked monster emerged from her cage but took a few steps back once she saw Nola and Cassia.

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