Page 67 of Immortal Origins (Chronicles of the Immortal Trials #1)

“No, you didn’t.” He flashed her a smile.

“You look even more lovely in it than I imagined. Truly something of beauty. You could put a few of the gods to shame, you know.” He spun her in a circle, his hand guiding her waist as flakes of snow followed their footsteps.

“I’m glad I found you, I was beginning to think you’d run off. ”

She snorted, “What, and miss all the fun?”

Casimir leaned in so his mouth was next to her ear, the chill of his breath caused goosebumps to rise on her skin as the hairs on the back of her neck stood on end. “The fun has barely just begun. I wouldn’t dream of starting the main event without my Trial Champion.”

Ambrose looked up at him skeptically. “I thought the feast was the main event.”

“On no,” he whispered in her ear and her breath tightened in her chest but she refused to show it. “This year I have something marvelous planned, just for you.”

The idea of Casimir planning anything with her in mind made her spine tingle, and not in a good way.

Fear coursed through her as her charge surged beneath her skin.

Adrenaline picked up her heartbeat as Casimir guided her across the dance floor.

Eyes of royals and nobles fell on them as he led her through his deadly dance, unfazed by how the room watched them.

Ale and wine flowed freely as royals and nobility mingled together, bodies intertwined and servants refilled goblets and plates as fast as they could, all while staying out of the way of the upper classes.

The only one in attendance with their wits about them were the majority of the Trial Champions save for a handful who had already drank themselves into a stupor.

Unwise, considering they’d need their wits about them the next day, but she couldn’t really blame them.

Casimir’s hands slid over her body as he twirled her, grazing her skin with fingers so cold they would’ve seared her skin had it not been so warm from the deadly charge hiding just beneath it, waiting for her to call on it.

Ambrose almost wished she was drunk—if only to make the night go faster.

Casimir dipped her as he ended their dance, bending her backwards as his fingers ran along her collar, draining the warmth from its metal, leaving behind a cold bite. “Thank you for humoring me with a last dance.”

Ambrose pulled herself out of his grasp, the frozen imprint of his hand lingering on her back as she rubbed the cold away.

She shot daggers through her eyes as she gave a sarcastic bow and moved to find her seat once more.

Only when she was back in her seat, and Casimir sat back atop the king’s throne, did she allow herself to breathe again.

Casimir settled back into his seat and shouted above the celebrations, “Lords and ladies, may I have your attention?”

Drunk or not, the room had enough wits about them to go silent.

Quickly. Everyone found their seats and silently waited for him to continue.

Ambrose didn’t like the chill that hung in the air as all eyes turned to him.

Even the royals from Naenaros turned their full attention to the being at the head of the hall.

First King indeed.

He paused until the last murmur died down and he was satisfied he had the entire room’s attention.

“I would like to thank you all for coming tonight, your presence is duly noted and appreciated. While I know it’s customary to keep tonight light with festivities, there are things we as a ruling class must address before we can continue.

” He rose from his seat and began pacing behind the thrones.

“There is one among us who doesn’t belong, and while I would love to let you all get back to your night, we cannot ignore the impostor in the mix. ”

Heads turned and scanned the crowd, likely looking for the one that didn’t fit.

“King Tallis, could you please stand?” Casimir turned to the king, hand outstretched.

The king looked at him with a puzzled expression but obeyed his request. “Before you stands the ruler of this kingdom. One who has proven his loyalty, his strength, and his honor to the empire time and time again. For a thousand years he has ruled you faithfully, and dutifully…” Casimir paused to drink in the looks he was getting around th e room as he walked behind the king whose confusion turned to terror.

“But, quite unfortunately, King Tallis has committed one of the worst offenses against the empire since its formation. He was charged with protecting something precious to the gods and failed in his mission to do so. For this, his punishment is death.” In one swift motion Casimir placed his hands on either side of the king’s head and ripped it clean from his shoulders.

The crowd erupted into screams and protests as some nobles tried to flee but the smartest of the class remained in their seats.

Casimir lifted a bloody hand and before anyone could blink, froze every noble and would-be ruler who jumped from their seat as their bodies crashed to the floor and splintered into pieces.

In thousands of years the only royal that had ever died had been the queen. Ambrose’s mouth hung open as she realized that none of them were free. She stared in horror at the sight before them as the king’s body soaked blood onto the polished mosaic floor.

How? To have that kind of strength… Ambrose couldn’t even finish the thought.

The royals were damn near impossible to kill and Casimir ripped his head off as though tearing the head off a stuffed dragon one would make their newborn to cradle.

The royals glanced nervously between each other but kept their attention trained on Casimir like the loyal dogs they were.

He waited for the crowd to fall silent once more.

“I’m glad I have your attention.” He reached down for a napkin which he used to wipe the king’s blood from his hands, the stains blending into the red of his suit.

“King Tallis led faithfully but was no longer fit to rule. He allowed something to happen that the gods have deemed unforgivable.” Casimir’s cold eyes found Ambrose’s.

“When he allowed this to happen, his life and rule were forfeit.”

Bile rose to the back of Ambrose’s throat.

Oh gods , where was Akadian ?

Did Casimir kill him too?

No. She would know .

She would feel it.

Heart pounding in her chest she hung onto his next words.

“As such.” Casimir snapped his fingers and multiple servants rushed forward to remove the fallen king’s body. “A new ruler must be implemented. That ruler…” His eyes flared. “Will be me .”

Gods, no .

Casimir was the new king?

The hall exploded into voices, the hum in the air shifted into a sharp electric charge.

Each one was as shocked as the next, but no one dared to defy him.

The royals that remained rose in their seats and bowed to Casimir—showing their instant support for his rule.

They placed a hand over their chest as they shouted as one, “For bonds and bloodline.”

Where is Akadian? Her mind raced.

Casimir waved a hand through the air and with one word gained control over the crowd. “ Silence .”

No one challenged him.

Ambrose caught Ernaline in a corner, clutching a jug of wine to her chest—terror forming on every line in her face. She searched the crowd but Lily was nowhere to be found and Adym stood stone-faced behind Casimir.

The Imperial and Draconian Guard stepped forward and pulled their swords from their sides as they bowed in succession. The servants followed suit, bowing at the waist to Casimir as they all shouted, “For bonds and bloodline.”

A new king reigned.

No one was going to question his right or his authority.

Casimir soaked in the sight around him, enjoying how they all bowed for him and him alone. Power radiated off of him in freezing bursts that burned the skin of the lesser beings.

Sweat beaded on Ambrose’s temple and her heart pounded in her chest as she willed herself to calm.

In. Out. In. Out.

“With that,” Casimir raised his voice, “I’m going to make my first decree as king to do something that has never been done before.”

Ambrose didn’t need to look at him to know he was staring right at her.

“Ready yourself, young mage!” The voices filled her head in warning.

“Let the Champion’s Tournament begin.”