Chapter 32
ou can’t let them get away with this.’ This time, when Llinos insisted‘Y that I stay in the islanders’ room, I didn’t object. ‘You have to do something. Fight back.’ ‘I will,’ I tell her. ‘Trust me, she’s going to pay for making me miss seeing my sister. Did you see her? Talk to her?’ I ask hopefully.
Llin shakes her head. ‘No, I’m sorry, Rosey. We weren’t in much of a party mood, what with you half dead and all. We showed our faces, then came back here. But I think Jonas talked to her.’ Of course he did, which is why I’ve already asked him, yet the only reply he gave was that she was ‘well.’ Not exactly the most descriptive answer. ‘So what do you have planned for Zara? Anything you want my help with?’ I shake my head. ‘No, it’ll be fine. Just going to take a little time, that’s all.’ ‘Dish best served cold,’ Llinos says with understanding. ‘Say no more.’ Since I came around in the healers’ room, revenge has been the only thought strong enough to push the anguish of not seeing Kay from my mind. My first instinct was to poison Zara. Poison them all. There’s certainly enough I could use in the satchel from Dinah to do that, but I still believe that killing our opponents outside of the trials isn’t going to win Etta’s favour, given she’s the Goddess of Life. Thankfully, I think I’ve finally got an alternative plan I’m happy with. Which is why I’ve already made up my mind that I’m going to brew something nasty, but not deadly.
Something that takes a few days to infuse. Days I plan on spending training so that someday soon, I’ll be able to kick Zara’s arse.
IN A WELCOME STREAK of good fortune, the herbs and seeds from Dinah contain almost everything I need to brew my little gift for Zara. And after surreptitiously plucking a handful of bitter nightshade leaves from outside the battle yard, I have everything I need. With the ingredients gathered, I steal into an empty dorm room and set up the little stove I brought from home.
I add the nightshade leaves whole, along with a handful of the chopped stems and a variety of crushed seeds from Dinah’s collection. My hands move as if by instinct, and as the contrast of aromas eddies in the air, I realise how much I’ve missed doing this. Not poisoning people, that is, but brewing.
This time in the High Hold is the longest I’ve ever gone without creating some sort of concoction, and a frisson of guilt stirs within me as I recall the promise I made to my mother that I would always take the daily tonic the way she taught – a habit I’ve let go of entirely since arriving here.
Still, the food is so rich and varied that I’m undoubtedly getting everything my body needs. In fact, I’m sure I am. I certainly can’t recall feeling stronger. It’s almost odd not to have that gnawing ache in the pit of my stomach, just on the edge of starvation. My guilt intensifies at the knowledge that I have become so complacent about it, when so many are still going without. Hopefully, Leilah will get hold of Ruben, and I can start helping others a little.
Before long, Zara’s potion is simmering away. It needs a few days to infuse properly, but a grim smile comes to my lips at the thought of finally getting my revenge. No one deserves a severe case of the shits more than Zara.
And who knows, once she’s emptied her insides, maybe she’ll be a nicer person. I laugh at the thought. There’s no chance.
Ensuring the stove’s heat is set as low as it can be and it’s not in a position where anything could accidentally catch fire, I shut the door and
head back to the dorm room I share with the islanders for some much- needed rest. Vengeance really takes it out of you .
It’s another day before I’m ready to face the battle yard, and when I do it’s the coldest morning I’ve experienced since returning from the healers.
Apparently, there were two days of snow while I was away, and vestiges of it remain on the ground.
I head outside dressed in a long-sleeved top. Though I considered taking my furs down too, I quickly decided against it, knowing as I do how training with Zelle works. Within five minutes, I’ll be sweating profusely.
By the time I arrive in the yard, it’s later than normal and there’s no sign of Zelle. Instead, it’s Holden at the helm today, standing with his arms folded across his chest as he waits for us to gather around him. My stomach drops. ‘As everyone’s magic is fully replenished from the trials, everyone who has magic, that is’—he looks directly at me with a sneer—‘I thought it would be the perfect day for FOF of the team variety.’ If I’d thought surviving the first trial would earn me his respect, I’d be sorely disappointed. Thankfully, I don’t need, or even want, the respect of a man
like him. ‘FOF?’ I ask, glancing at Jonas. ‘Force on Force,’ he explains. ‘Group style, by the sound of things.’ He turns to look at me directly. ‘I know there’s no point asking this, but as there’s magic involved—’ ‘Stay out of the way?’ I finish bitterly for him. ‘I know your position by now, Jonas.’ Still, this isn’t a trial. This is a game of Holden’s creation.
Quite possibly purely to torture me. If I have to accept my friends’ help to survive, then I’m okay with that. That’s what good friends are for, right?
Chats, hugs, and helping you survive megalomaniacs. ‘Now, I thought it would be fun to let you pick the teams,’ Holden continues, smirking viciously. ‘Although it’s always good to have clear team captains, don’t you think? Duarte, why don’t we start with you as one team captain?’ His eyes go to Zara, who grins maliciously as they exchange a knowing look. Whatever is coming, they’ve planned this together. His gaze sweeps back across the courtyard. ‘And let’s have … oh, let’s have Kultavaris as our other captain. Yes, that should make this interesting.’ ‘What the fuck?’ Jonas quietly fumes beside me. ‘Five days. You spent five days at the healers because of her, and now he’s deliberately pitting you
against her. I’m starting to think you’re right about Holden having something against you.’ Starting to? I’m not sure what more evidence he needs, but hey, it’s progress. ‘He’s one of Korvane Knavin’s men. What do you expect?’ Benny mutters beside me. A flash of something flares behind Benny’s eyes, only to be snuffed out in an instant, sending a strange shudder of unease down my spine. ‘Right, you’ve got two minutes to sort out your teams. Go.’ Given who I’m up against, I expect people to flock to Zara’s side, and while a few do – obviously the Rowell lot, not to mention most of the surviving Rettlings from Galreck – the others are more hesitant. Obviously, I’ve got Benny and co., but Holden didn’t say anything about splitting the teams evenly. I’m sure he’d be more than okay with it being twenty against two, as long as I’m on the losing side.
It’s with a jolt of shock that I see Grenda and Baylis come over to join us, along with Kestria and Seiren, though not Odetta – the other surviving Rettling from Dorain. I don’t know why I’m still so surprised that Kestria and Seiren made it through the first trial. It’s not as though I’m any stronger than they are. Odetta, on the other hand, was no surprise. She has the type of glint in her eye that reminds me more than a little of Zara, like she’s in the Retterheld not only for the gifting, but also for the chance to cause pain.
The other two knights go over to Zara’s group. Clearly, winning rather than morality is key to their agenda today. ‘Yeva, Nessira …’ Jonas calls the remaining two Wrohelm Rettlings over, and thankfully they agree. The resulting groups are far more even than I expected. Twelve against thirteen. Though in terms of fighting, I’m not sure how much that helps us, especially because they’ve got Zara and Mattieu, who can both inflict serious damage. I know Jonas says Yeva’s incredibly powerful, but we need ash for her to wield. And if Seiren could envelop us in one of her illusions, that would definitely help, but so far, I’ve never seen her do it deliberately. ‘How do we beat them, Benny?’ I hiss to him. ‘What can we do?’ ‘I don’t know …’ His voice has an unusual quake to it. ‘I’m not sure.
Not until I know what their tactics are.’ ‘They just want to kill Rose.’ Loch shrugs.
I turn to look at the other islander. I swear, every day his skin becomes more and more drained, his eyes more and more vacant. ‘That’s their only plan. They just want Rose dead.’ A weight settles in my stomach and my pulse rises. He’s speaking so matter-of-factly, as if talking about what he ate for breakfast. Saying the quiet part out loud – that this isn’t a team battle; it’s an excuse for them to end me.
I’m trying to push the fear down, but it’s hard when my gut says I’m totally screwed. ‘Fantastic. So, rules.’ Holden flashes me a smirk, like he already knows he’s signed my death warrant. ‘You stay on your feet, or you’re out. That simple. You can be brought to your knees, your back … I should probably warn against purposely trying to send people to Mortidem, but accidents
happen.’ His smirk grows into a grin.
Llinos gasps beside me.
My teeth are gritted as I look Holden in the eye, determined not to show even a hint of the fear that roils in me. ‘First team with everyone down loses. We will begin on my countdown.’ ‘I can put a shield around us,’ Llinos hisses hastily. ‘Wind-based. Not sure how much it will protect from certain powers, but it should prevent some of the fire from reaching you.’ I’m grateful that my friends aren’t even trying to pretend the aim of this task is to win. No, our objective is completely different. It’s to keep me alive. ‘I’ll aim at Zara,’ Jonas says. ‘It should make it more difficult for her to attack you.’ ‘It would be better if I bind her.’ Kestria is now standing at my side. I didn’t even see her appear. ‘I heard what they did. I get what this is. If I bind her, she won’t be able to do anything.’ ‘You’re a siphon?’ I ask in surprise. ‘A bind. Similar but not quite the same. And I can only work on one person at a time.’ ‘It’ll make you a target,’ I warn her. ‘The others will come for you if they know you’re the one stopping Zara from using her magic.’ ‘Yeah.’ Kestria shrugs. ‘It’s the same for Jonas and anyone else who tries to help. I’m fine with this. Just do me a favour and make sure one of
you gets Odetta to her knees.’ ‘Done,’ Benny promises.
I don’t know what her vendetta is against the Dorain Rettling, nor do I need to. She’s on our side. ‘I’ve got daggers,’ Grenda says, seeming unperturbed by what we face. ‘I’ll stick to tried and trusted methods.’ I shoot Benny a glance and see his jaw tick. I know he’s been desperate to know exactly what her powers are since we got here, but it doesn’t look like today’s going to be the day he finds out.
Holden is now walking away from us, clearing the battle yard so he doesn’t get caught in the crossfire. ‘Now, if you’re all ready, we will still start on my whistle and end when all of one team is on the ground. Three, two —’ ‘Fuck!’ I drop straight to my knees as my most recent injury flares back to life. I should have known the bitch wouldn’t wait until it was actually time to start. The first burn begins to rise on my arm, and I wait for it to spread across my entire body. But there’s nothing. Just that single patch. ‘I’ve got her!’ Kestria yells to me.
In terms of Holden’s game, it doesn’t mean anything. I’m already on the ground. Out of it. For a naïve second, I think it’s going to be enough for them to stop attacking me. I’m wrong.
The first fireball lands only inches from where I’ve dropped.
I’m down on the ground, yes, but apparently I’m not out.
Well then. With Mattieu in my sights, I pull a dagger from its sheath and prepare to throw it at the fire wielder, only for him to blast me again as the dagger leaves my hand. It lands uselessly two feet from him. ‘Shit!’ I mutter as he prepares his next attack. ‘Llin!’ I yell out.
‘Mattieu!’ ‘Sorry! Bit slow there.’ She moves to take a place in front of me, giving her a better chance of blocking me from Mattieu’s power. When two blasts come for me simultaneously, she shoots me a worried look. ‘Who the hell’s doing that?’ Llin asks. ‘Odetta!’ Kestria shouts back. ‘It’s Odetta.’ Odetta’s also a fucking flame wielder. Great. With her, Mattieu, and Zara, that’s three strong, offensive powers against us. Or rather, against me.
Some of the Rettlings on the opposing team are actually trying to fight a
fair game and focusing their attention on other members of our group. But not enough.
One of the Galreck Rettlings is a wind weaver and is pushing Llin with all her force, while another one is in a fistfight with Baylis. Blood is smeared over both of them already, though who it’s coming from, I can’t tell . ‘Got them!’ Grenda shouts, throwing two daggers simultaneously into the shoulders of the Galreck Rettlings. It stops the wind weaver, but not the one fighting Baylis. The way he barely flinches, it’s like he can’t even feel pain. As I watch on, my chest tightens. Not just from fear, but also something more. My throat is burning and my lungs are struggling to get any air in. It’s as though they’re filling with smoke all over again. ‘Zara!’ I cough the word out. ‘Zara.’ ‘I’m losing her! I’m losing my bind on the bitch!’ Kestria’s shout is far more effective at conveying what I was trying to say. ‘What else have we got?’ Jonas cries as he turns in circles. He’s been alternating his powers between blinding Mattieu and Odetta, but it’s getting less and less effective – not because he’s weakening, but because they somehow don’t need to see to know where to aim to hit me. ‘Seiren! Can you do something? We need help!’ We’re losing. I can see it. My friends are fighting with all they have, using force, fury, and fists.
And I’m hiding behind them. The one thing I told myself I’d never do in this competition.
I need to be doing something. I need to help. But every time I unsheathe a dagger, I have to duck again before I can get a damn throw in. ‘Yeva!’ I can hear the hopelessness in Jonas’s voice. He’s trying to lead, but he’s failing. ‘Can you do something here?’ ‘Nothing while these wind weavers keep blowing all the flames out!’
she yells back.
Ash. We need ash. ‘Yeva! Yeva!’ It takes more than one yell for me to grab her attention as she’s fighting Elenor from Rowell. ‘How much ash do you need to cause some damage?’ ‘How much? Anything,’ she replies. ‘Anything’s better than nothing.’ ‘Hold on. I’ve got it.’
I’ve been crouching this entire time, trying to give my attackers as little area as possible to aim for, but now I need to change that.
I push up onto my knees and strip my top off. The cold bites at my skin, but right now that’s the least of my worries. ‘Llin, when I say, I need you to let one of the blasts come past you,’ I instruct her. ‘What?’ She swivels to look at me for just a millisecond; more than long enough for me to see the worry on her face. ‘You’re joking, right?’ ‘Don’t worry. I’ll be prepared. Just keep me covered for one more sec.’ I lift my arms above my head and wrestle with my top. ‘Okay, Llin. Let me know when it’s coming.’ There’s not a heartbeat before she screams, ‘Incoming now!’ I plummet, landing face-first into the sand while simultaneously throwing my top into the air. Just as I hoped, it ignites and disintegrates into flames. It burns hot, and in moments, it’s ash. ‘That enough for you to work with?’ I ask Yeva, who has just landed an impressive punch to Elenor’s jaw, sending her down and out. ‘It’s a damned good start.’ She lifts her hand, and the cloud of ash rises into the air, swirling and thickening. Jonas wasn’t joking. It’s incredible what she can do. With a rush of air, she sends it across the yard, straight towards the eyes of half a dozen Rettlings. Hope flutters in my chest, but then their wind weaver spots what’s about to happen. Before we even have time to blink, the ash is blown back at us. ‘Fuck!’ Yeva begins gathering the cinders together again, but clearly it’s tougher when the ash is scattered everywhere.
I’m not the only one on my knees now. Kestria and Seiren are both down, as are Baylis and Loch. We’ve only brought three of theirs down – including, by some small miracle, Odetta – and Jonas has now taken over battling Zara. He’s blinding her so she can’t use her powers on me, but he’s also having to fight against two other Rettlings at the same time. And I’m still bloody well crouching here.
I scan the yard, desperate to see a solution I haven’t yet thought of, but what I actually see is a figure striding towards the field of battle. Fuck. If things weren’t bad before, they sure as hell are now.
Kyor swaggers towards us. He’s never shown up for training when he’s supposed to – princely privileges – and now that he’s finally arrived, all he
needs to do is join Zara’s team and I’m as good as dead. ‘What’s going on?’ he asks, voicing his question to no one in particular as he strolls into the centre of the fray. ‘Bring the other team to their knees.’ It’s Loch who replies. No doubt Kyor’s voice is clearer to him than to the rest of us. ‘Or Mortidem,’ Holden calls from a safe distance away. ‘Whichever takes your fancy.’ From the sneer on his lips, Holden clearly thinks his ‘joke’ is amusing, yet Kyor remains impassive, scanning the yard coolly, like we aren’t all battling as hard as we did against the fucking jötnar.
Kyor’s assessment, when it’s delivered, is cool and completely on the money. ‘All of this just to kill Kultavaris?’ His gaze lands on Zara. ‘You give her too much power.’ It’s unclear to me whether he means me or Zara. ‘Well, then,’ he says, as if he’s made up his mind, ‘just bring them to their knees, is it?’ he asks casually.
A burst of pain across my shoulder makes me realise I should be paying more attention to what I’m doing rather than staring at the prince. Yet it’s hard to draw my eyes away as he kicks off his shoes and digs his feet into the sand.
Over on the other team, someone screams and drops to the ground with one of Grenda’s knives in their side. I barely notice. My eyes are trained on Kyor, breath quivering as I wait to see what he’ll do.
Oblivious to the battle unravelling around him, he presses his palms close together, as if in prayer, before reaching one hand up into the air.
The effect is instant. Green-tinged clouds sweep in and forks of lightning streak down from the sky, cracking through the air with such force that a rumble loud enough to shake the arc wall thunders through the yard.
The entire atmosphere reverberates with the charge from the lightning that sinks into the ground, radiating under all our feet.
No one can hold themselves against it. Every single person drops to the
ground.
Everyone except Kyor.
Silence engulfs the yard, every pair of eyes on the prince. A single bead of sweat weaves down his forehead as he remains perfectly motionless, other than the slightest coil at the corner of his mouth. ‘I win,’ he says simply to Holden.
The trainer’s cheeks pull inwards and he offers Kyor something between a smile and a grimace. ‘Very impressive, Your Royal Highness, as always.’ Kyor scoffs, and it’s with a sense of satisfaction that I realise he cares as much about Holden’s compliments as I do. ‘I guess that means training’s done for the day,’ Kyor notes. Still standing, he surveys the rest of the Rettlings with narrowed eyes. ‘Looks like the healers will be busy again,’ he says. When his eyes land on me, his icy gaze locks on my eyes before travelling down towards my chest.
Only then do I remember. I burned my top so Yeva could have ash to fight with, and now I’m out here in nothing but a black bra. Sweat drips down my skin, flowing over the beginnings of the burns reignited by Zara’s powers. I should shrink away from his gaze, but I don’t. Instead, I push my shoulders back. I’ve got nothing to be ashamed of. ‘I prefer this look on you,’ he says, his eyes offering the slightest hint of a twinkle before he sobers. ‘Everyone clear out. I want the battle yard.’ The ringing command in his voice cannot be ignored, and we all scramble inside.
