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“Norahi has a reputation.” Regan took a hesitant breath, pursing his lips. “I know he seems - he seems amicable. But I would like to warn you, Your Highness. He’s not what he seems.”

“He has been a good friend to me these past weeks, and I think highly of him.”

Regan rolled his shoulders, that thin neck bobbing in the frothy collar of his robes. “Your Highness, the Night Demons are known for ensorcelling women, even the Fae. You are not immune to his -“

“That’s enough.” I strode into the temple. “I will be left alone in my prayers, thank you Regan.” Rage swirled in my belly as I crossed the tiled floor towards the altar. I sank to my knees, looking up at the golden statue of Lada, perched on the right corner of the wooden precipice.

“Why?” I asked her. “Why him?” There would be no answers of course. There was no answer to give. I clasped my hands in front of me, and took a deep breath.Let me live long enough to find out why, and let me be strong enough to win. Then I’ll get us out of here. Both of us.

Chapter19

Elara

Rain pelted down from the iron sky as the guards escorted me across the ground towards the Pit. My braids dripped down my armor, and water ran into the collar of my leathers. And my hands were fucking shaking.

I hadn’t known what was at stake last time. This time I knew. This time I knew my father would be chained up somewhere in that Pit, in some arena of Theron’s imagining. I didn’t know what I would be facing to save him. I felt sick, the hearty breakfast Drusilla had ordered me sitting heavily in my stomach.

Rook was waiting at the door of the armory, his ax in hand, his soaked linen shirt clinging to his body. He gave me a smile, but immediately sensed my anxiety, and his brow crinkled. “Good morning, princess.”

I merely nodded. I couldn’t speak. I walked past him, into the armory, and there lay Arankos in the wooden chest. It began to hum as I drew closer. The guards all backed away. “One of them touched it,” Rook said behind me. “He’s had to be restrained to stop him from hurting himself.”

I snorted. “That’ll teach them.”

“Indeed.” He stood by my side, and I looked up at him. He smiled, leaning on his ax. “You see your father today, you should smile.”

A terrible screech broke out in the distance, and the crowd in the stands above us cheered and whooped wildly. I could see from Rook’s expression that the alarm in my face was obvious. “What the fuck was that?” I asked.

Rook put a hand on my shoulder. “It’ll be alright. You can do this.”

“What was that?” I asked again.

The iron gate at the far end of the armory opened, and the guards edged forward to escort me into the Pit.

Rook backed away from me, his expression tortured. “You’re fast, remember that. You run, and you don’t stop.” The guards were ushering him out, and he clenched his jaw. “Stay away from them when they scream!” The guards pushed him out amidst demands he shut up, and the concern on his face as the door closed in front of him sent panic heaving down my spine.

If Rook was worried, it had to be bad.

Stay away from them when they scream.Who the fuck were they?

I was once again led down the tunnel, to the heavy door that led out into the Pit. My mouth was dry, along with my eyes, because I was too terrified to even blink. There was another scream, screeching, blood-curdling, and so fucking close. Arankos slipped in my hand as I held it, my palms sweating. Fuck. Fuck. I was going to die today.

The iron door slid upwards, and before me lay the Pit. But this time it wasn’t a lush, humid jungle. I walked out into a labyrinth, towering black slate blocks all around me. It was disorienting at first, the endless cascade of rain making some of the sheer black faces almost mirror-like. It was hard to tell where some columns ended and another began, until I took a few more steps forward. Moving through this maze at speed was going to be difficult.

The terrible weather hadn’t stopped the Velesians from turning out in their droves to watch me die. The shouts and cheers of the crowd were amplified, bouncing around and creating an echo that only made my surroundings even more intimidating. Deep puddles had formed at my feet, and my boots sloshed through them. The ground felt slick underfoot. Running was definitely going to be a problem. I felt deeply uneasy as I looked up into the stands, blinking against the raindrops.

Theron was sitting at the edge of the royal box, a black crown set with blood-red gems on his head. Rook was beside him, and the fear on his face tore me apart.

Theron raised his arms, and the crowd quieted somewhat, just as another shrill scream echoed across the black maze I found myself in.

“Our brave royal guest has entered the Pit once again!” He announced. “And today the prize is even greater - the King of Peyrus!” The crowd booed, and rage snaked down my shoulders, blazing through my fingertips as I gripped Arankos tighter. Theron made a grand gesture of disapproval, shaking his head and wagging his fingers around him. “Now, now, good people of Veles, we must be courteous to our guests!”

“May I know the enemy I face today?” I asked, furious at the waver in my voice.

“But of course!” Theron raised his arms, and a crescendo of screams echoed all around me. Whatever had screamed before, it had company.

Lots of company.

Stay away from them when they scream.