Page 13 of A Queen’s Betrayal (Legends of Worldbinders #1)

“How much longer are we expected to sit in this heat?” Isabella panted, fanning herself with a piece of parchment.

Arenna chuckled softly. “You’re wearing two layers of wool pants under your gown. Of course you’re overheating.”

“Do you see the snow on the ground? It’s supposed to be cold!”

“It is cold, Isa.” Arenna shivered, running her hands mockingly up and down her arms.

Isabella rolled her eyes, a smile dancing on her lips as she smoothed out the white apron resting over her green gown.

As silence settled, Arenna became aware of a deeper chill—not just from the winter air—from within her bones. Every movement felt slow and achy. That morning, she had awoken buried beneath her covers, struggling to shake off a sense of dread that lingered in her stomach.

Her instincts sensed something, but she shrugged it off as nerves about escaping tonight.

Tonight .

She was leaving tonight .

Arenna took a long, deep breath. Her chest ached with each inhale, each release. She was terrified of the world beyond, but nothing compared to the fear of living within these castle walls.

“Attendant?” Jaksen’s cold voice sliced through the air, causing her blood to run cold. She should have been paying more attention. By Isabella’s stiff posture, she knew she wasn’t the only one. “Is there any reason you’re standing at the front?”

“I was only fixing Her Majesty’s hair.” Isabella’s eyes dropped to the floor, but Arenna caught the tension in her jaw and the clench of her fists.

Jaksen’s gaze slid to the queen. “Her hair looks fine to me. Get to the back with everyone else.”

“As you command, my king.” She dipped at the waist, bowing low. Arenna shot her an apologetic glance as Isabella slipped into the shadows of their private booth with the other servants.

“Are you ready to make history, Little Dove?” Jaksen leaned in, kissing the top of her head, his hand wrapping around her bicep.

Arenna managed a grin. “Whenever you are.” His returning smirk sent a chill down her spine.

Turning away, Jaksen conversed with one of the lords. Arenna sank against her red velvet seat, breathing heavily. The weight of her wool-lined black gown made her skin hot and itchy.

Instead of surrendering to the fear and doubt clouding her mind, she focused on the lively colosseum humming with life. Spectators filled the hundreds of stone benches, their eager eyes fixed on the dirt floor below. Jaksen delighted in the bloodshed this place promised.

Before he unveiled his secret, a fight to the death was taking place.

Arenna couldn’t bear to watch; instead, she twirled a loose strand of string from her gown.

The violent displays captivated everyone around her, but she couldn’t stomach the sight of men brutally attacking one another—or the aftermath, with blood soaking into the light dirt and servants carrying away dismembered limbs.

A wall of black suddenly obscured her view, and Kayson slid into the only remaining seat next to her. She breathed through her discomfort.

Dressed in a black suit with golden thread, Kayson appeared unnervingly calm, a stark contrast to his usual fury.

“That seat is invitation only,” she glowered. “Without King Jaksen’s approval, you’ll have to find another place to watch.”

With one leg propped over the other, Kayson wore a smug grin, exuding arrogance. He looked around the booth before turning his attention back to Arenna. “What a shame. I so desperately wanted to sit next to you.”

“What a shame indeed,” she replied, sarcasm lacing her words.

Out of nowhere, Jaksen leaned down and kissed her brow. “Ah, Emissary Kayson, you’ve found your seat. Now we can begin.”

Irritation rippled through Arenna as Kayson’s smile widened. “Sorry to disappoint, Serpent Queen. It seems I was invited.” He leaned back against the wooden rest, his gaze shifting to the center of the colosseum.

“What a joyous occasion it shall be, then,” Jaksen said, gripping her chin and forcing their eyes to meet. “Do not speak until spoken to, yes?” He extended his pale hand, beckoning her to rise and follow.

Arenna swallowed. “Of course, my apologies.” She threaded her fingers with Jaksen’s, letting him guide her to the railing at the front of the booth.

Kayson’s warm stare lingered on her back, heating her ears. When she glanced over her shoulder, she was embarrassed to find his rugged features softened, brows furrowed in concern. She didn’t want his sympathy.

As they reached the railing of their seating deck, Jaksen looked down at Arenna, his eyes narrowing. “You seem lost today. Did you take your tonic?”

She nodded, rubbing her free hand against her hip to dry her clammy palm. “This morning. Fay made sure I did while I was getting dressed.”

“Good,” Jaksen said with a smile. “Don’t want your mind wandering on a joyous day like today.”

Unease rolled through Arenna like a storm, sinking her stomach. She hated the uncertainty of this tournament—especially since Jaksen, rarely pleased, seemed genuinely excited about it. The thought made her dread thicken.

“Welcome,” Jaksen boomed, his voice echoing through the massive space. Arenna turned toward the crowd, forcing a smile as she waved, projecting the image of a strong, unbreakable unit to their people. “Thank you for being here today, and thank you for being the first to witness my creation.”

His creation ?

“You may be confused, you may be scared, but this will forever change your lives. Our lives. The lives of every human in Varios.”

Unease settled deep within Arenna. Something in her gut screamed, echoing the warning bells that rang whenever Brookworth was under attack. Whatever this was, it felt wrong. Unnatural. “Jaksen,” she whispered, leaning into his shoulder. “What have you done?”

He turned slowly, methodically. Black swirls seeped from his irises, twisting like smoke.

“I have given our people a future, Arenna.” He squeezed her hand before facing the crowd again.

“The magic in Vlazias continues to grow, and so does the threat to our continent. My family’s mission was to ensure the death of the Red Reaper and his kingdom, and I will see to it that the mission is completed.

I will ensure your safety and your freedom.

All the while, the Fae will bend to humans, and I will rule both Vlazias and Varios as my own. ”

The crowd erupted. Chanting, cheering, and whistling filled the air. Some cried, others bowed while a few raised their hands in prayer toward the Sisters.

Arenna’s hands trembled on the railing as she looked at her husband, horror gripping her heart at the sight of his eyes, now completely black except for the whites.

She had always known it was kill or be killed, that the war would end with either Jaksen or the Fae King’s death.

But she hadn’t anticipated his plans to rule over the Fae instead of pursuing peace between the species.

Peace had always been the plan. The Fae would remain on their side, and humans on theirs.

No wars, no violence. Daring a glance behind her, she wondered if the people Jaksen trusted shared his pride or her horror.

The nobles smiled, their eyes shimmering with anticipation.

The servants allowed in the booth seemed unfazed, trained to be so, but Isabella’s eyes widened when they met Arenna’s.

Arenna continued to scan the booth, surprised to see Kayson in a state of rage. He sat forward, his knuckles ghostly white against his tanned hands.

Jaksen’s voice rang through the space, forcing her attention back to him. “Before you is the turning point of this war, and the beginning of our victory.” The gate of the colosseum groaned open, dust and dirt puffing up in clouds.

Arenna squinted, heart thrashing against her ribcage, knees wobbling as something unnatural moved in the darkness beyond the gate. It stopped, sunlight flooding the room and banishing shadows.

And she gasped at what skittered out.