Fireblood

by Wolfe, Trisha

  I grip my legs tighter as Sebastian swipes the air before him. Devlan barely lunges out of the way before Sebastian’s sword comes at him again. My breath halts. I remind myself this is a sport. A tourney. No one will be harmed.

  Sebastian’s blade nicks Devlan’s wrist and red drips to the platform. A cry lodges in my throat as I bite it back. I now recall Devlan explaining that the last battles are fought with real swords. Dammit. I should’ve spoken with Devlan before he went in. I want to rush down there and plant myself between them—stop the tourney. All I can do is watch, hold my breath, and wait.

  Devlan slashes his sword across Sebastian’s armored chest. The prince stumbles back. Devlan advances on him, unrelenting as he continues to attack armor. No points for the hits, but he doesn’t go for the points. He wants Sebastian weary and battered. As Devlan draws his sword above his head for another strike, Sebastian dives into him, grabbing him around the waist and taking him to the ground.

  I look to the sideline, my breath stuck in my throat, waiting for someone to call Sebastian on his technicality. No one does, though, and it seems that the prince is allowed certain liberties. Of course.

  Sebastian rises up and lifts his sword to deliver the killing blow.

  I spring from my seat but Xander quickly pulls me back down. “Princess—” he warns. I barely hear him. Everything around me is muted as I await the final strike.

  Devlan jams the hilt of his sword into Sebastian’s ribs, and the prince doubles over. Next he delivers a hard punch to Sebastian’s face. The crowd roars. Some boo; others cheer. They’re evenly divided for which man they root for.

  As Devlan gets to his feet, Sebastian follows, relentlessly meeting his foe’s advancing swings. Sebastian stumbles as Devlan sends a blow to his leg, and I see his opening. Devlan has a clear shot to Sebastian’s heart.

  He doesn’t take it.

  I frown, studying the sloppy swing he chooses to deliver to Sebastian’s shoulder instead. While Sebastian regroups, Devlan looks to the crowd. To me.

  He meets Sebastian’s sword with his own and falls back, allowing Sebastian to have the upper hand. It’s clear what he’s doing, at least to me, and certainly to Xander. He’s throwing the fight.

  My chest constricts. I know how difficult this has to be for Devlan. Here, now…in front of everyone, he can lay the prince down. But he’s choosing the mission. My heart splits with pride and remorse, two halves battling. Devlan’s focused on why we’re here, and he’s doing it as much for me as for our cause.

  Securing the win for Sebastian will have the prince in high spirits; I’ll have a better chance of convincing him to take me to King Hart.

  Sebastian knocks Devlan to the platform and thrusts his sword down, spiking the point against the armor guarding Devlan’s heart. The regulator calls the winner. It’s Sebastian.

  My head drops into my hands and I take in a deep breath before I rise and cheer for my betrothed. I force a smile on my face and join the clapping of the crowd.

  “Let’s go, princess,” Xander says. “You need to congratulate the victor.”

  I stand and move to the end of the row. Xander follows behind, guiding me down the risers as my eyes stay steady on the platform.

  Devlan and Sebastian shake hands. Even from this distance, I see the strain on Devlan’s face. He fought a battle within himself as much as he dueled with Sebastian. And he won.

  But this is just the start of our battles today.

  THIRTY

  The gate opens, and a line of carriages brings citizens toward the castle.

  Tea lights strung from the branches sway, and the castle grounds are lit with blazing torches. Court is abuzz with excitement over tonight’s ceremony.

  Running my fingers over my father’s initials on the hilt beneath my slip, I feel sentimental. I spent many days on my balcony pondering my world, my choices. It’s as if I’m standing where it all began. And now, soon, it will end. I say a silent prayer to the wind, hoping there is someone in the clouds who hears my plea. That my father and mother hear the love I have for them. Even if my father’s mind is gone, I pray that he can feel it.

  “My lady?” Madity’s soft voice comes from behind.

  I turn and face her, clearing the tears from my eyes. “I’m ready.”

  Her steps are slow and determined. She stops right before me, her eyes serious, her face showing more strain than I’ve ever seen before. “When I was younger,” she says. “I had hard choices to make myself.” She pulls a necklace from beneath her bodice. Dangling in the center of the silver chain is a winged crest.

  A Rebel crest.

  My heart shudders in my chest, and my lips part.

  She ignores my confused expression and continues. “You once asked me if I have any children.” She smiles thoughtfully, sad seams lining her mouth. “You never asked if I had any. I know the laws, and I keep to myself. But my husband had beliefs, and it cost us everything.”

  I look around my room, worried about the listening devices, but she hasn’t said anything too incriminating, and she palms the crest. She never ceases to surprise me with her cunning.

  She pulls the necklace off over her head, then drapes it over mine, tucking the crest under my slip.

  Tears brim the corners of my eyes, and my lips tremble. “I don’t know the right thing to do,” I admit.

  She places a tender kiss on my forehead, and then stares into my eyes. “You have come too far in discovering who Zara is. No one can dictate your life. It’s yours alone. No matter what vows you take, what promises you offer, in the end, it is only you.” Her eyes hold mine. “I trust you know the right course of action. You need only be brave enough to do what your heart tells you.”

  My chest aches. I wrap my arms around her neck, pulling her close. “Thank you, Madity.”

  She hugs me tightly, then backs away. “Time to put on your gown, princess.” She walks to my bed and lifts it. “His Highness had it made just for you.”

  I walk to the gown and snatch it up, gripping the white fabric. Turning toward Madity, I give her a knowing smirk. “Then why doesn’t he wear it?”

  She laughs.

  * * *

  Hearing Devlan’s voice over the communicator firmed my convictions. I shouldn’t have contacted him with our plan unfolding this close, but I needed to hear his voice. I need to see him, but first I have to do what I know is right.

  Madity covered for me, sending Xander to fetch some lace. She made a stink about the servant girl bringing the wrong kind. As soon as he left the hallway, I dashed down the corridor, the train of my wedding dress trailing behind me.

  I told Devlan to stall, and to keep stalling until he heard back from me. No one is to commence any part of the mission until they hear from me.

  I’m taking command of this mission.

  There are yet two hours before the ceremony, and I’ve wasted enough time thinking. It’s now time for action.

  Madity lost her family, lost her child and her husband to the Virus Hart created to control his sordid world. The real world may be wretched enough, but nothing compares to his sick schemes that control us all. I won’t allow Sebastian to fall prey to his father’s ways. The madness, the schemes, the lying—they all have to stop.

  I round the corner to Sebastian’s chamber. As I reach his door, I pound on the hard wood.

  The door swings open, and Sebastian’s curious eyes meet mine. “Zara, what are you doing here?” He shakes his head. “No mind. I’m actually happy you’ve come. I was just on my way to you. I have a surprise. And we must hurry before the ceremony.”

  “Sebastian.” I place my hand on his chest, halting his movements. “We need to speak. Now.”

  He kisses my cheek. “After. We’ll still have time.” He takes my hand in his and leads me out of his room. “But this can’t wait.”

  Shit. I can’t speak with him in the corridor. I need us alone, away from the Eyes. I had assumed his chamber would be free of them. Maybe I can convinc
e him to go to the secret room under the castle.

  “Sebastian, please,” I plead. “Let me take you somewhere we can talk in private.”

  “Soon.” He continues our brisk pace down the hallway. “Trust me.”

  I stare at him sidelong, trying with all my heart to do just that. Trust that what I’m about to do is right and that Devlan will forgive me. I clamp my eyes shut and allow Sebastian to lead as I envision my father’s pale face, and I pray for his forgiveness.

  My father’s smile—the smile he wore before he became Taken—breaks through the pain, chips away at my hatred for King Hart. His arms wrapped around me, cradling me to him when I was a girl. He read me stories. He tucked me in, whispering about freedom.

  A smile takes over my face.

  If I kill King Hart, I will be no freer than I am under his rule. I’ll be no freer than if I was sent to that damned compound and fed to the cannibals. I would become a slave to my anger, to hate. My vengeance on the man who took my father would not be sated by his death. It would destroy me in the end.

  No. Madity is right. Even with all her skittish misgivings, she has always been wise, and she’s always seen what I could not while blinded by my hatred. Devlan didn’t try to postpone the mission because he feared I wasn’t ready, nor did he try to take my place because he felt I would fail.

  He knew what I’m only just now seeing, that killing Hart would sever something inside me. Just as Hart tried to make Sebastian sever his compassion, I’d destroy the part of me that forgives and trusts and believes in people, the part of me that makes me strong.

  That’s the strength Sebastian saw in me. The silent strength he spoke of at the meadow.

  He asked me if I thought that part of us weakens us. I understand now that it doesn’t.

  I can do what’s right for Sebastian. For Devlan. For all of Karm, and for myself. Make a choice. Go against Hart, the Force, the Rebels—

  I can choose.

  I open my eyes with renewed determination. “Sebastian,” I say tersely, trying to gain his attention. I glance around, noticing that he’s taken me to the other side of the castle. And not just the wing, but the end of the wing. There’s nowhere to go.

  A stained glass window shows the outside, darkening as the sun dips lower. I’m running out of time.

  Sebastian reaches out and places his palm to the floorto-ceiling window. It ripples, and the waves of glass pull apart like a curtain—no, a screen. A metal door slides open, revealing a large lift.

  He pulls me inside, then hits a blue button on the side of the metal casing. The door slides shut with a heavy, metallic clang. I jerk. “Where are you taking me?”

  His eyes meet mine, shining gold in the bright light. “To meet the king.”

  THIRTY-ONE

  My heart slams to my feet as the lift shoots up. Sharp spears of panic stab my chest, and I yank my hand from Sebastian’s. “No, Sebastian. I can’t.”

  A smile crooks his lips. “It’s all right, Zara. There’s nothing to fear. I know how you feel about marriage. How important it is to you.” He sighs. “I want you to know that you’re part of a family now. That my father’s blessing will—”

  I smash my hands against the buttons—all of them—and the lift bangs to a stop. The doors stay closed, and we start to descend.

  I relax against the cold wall and close my eyes.

  “Zara?” Sebastian roars. My eyes snap open. “What are you doing? You’re acting mad.”

  “I am, Sebastian.” I palm his cheeks, pull his face level to mine so our eyes meet. “And for once, you must trust me.”

  His eyes search my face, and he presses his lips together. When the doors open, I tug him into the hallway and sweep the perimeter. “Where can we talk that isn’t monitored?” I whisper.

  He groans. “Here.” He opens a door to our left.

  Hesitantly, I follow him into the chamber. He opens a glass case and inserts a key into a keyhole along the wall. After he enters a code into the dial pad, he faces me. “The Eyes are down. Now what is this about?”

  I take his hand and lead him to the bed.

  “Zara, you don’t have to prove yourself right now.” His lips quirk into a side grin. “I can wait till tonight.” He pulls me closer and slides his hand into my hair.

  I bat it away and glare at him. “Honestly, Sebastian. Is that the only thing your mind thinks of?” Shaking my head, I lower him into a sitting position so that my eyes meet his straight on. “I have much to confess to you.”

  His brow furrows and his lips part, but I press on. “I know of your father’s project. All of it. I know about Outside, and the Taken. About the Virus…and about the Rebels.”

  I pause. Let my words sink in, and wait for a flash of realization in his eyes. I have to know for sure that he’s unaware. If he’s not—if he knows everything and I’ve just blown my cover—then I will end him here and now and take his severed hand back to the lift if I must. I’m prepared to do what it takes. I’m risking it all on the chance that he’s ignorant, and that he will see my reasoning.

  Eyes wide, his features harden into rigid lines. “What the hell are you talking about?”

  I clear my throat. My nerves are making it feel closed, like a vise is tightening around my neck. It’s hard to breathe. “I know that you know who the Rebels are.” I narrow my eyes.

  “Yes, I do.” He levels a strained look at me. “But how do you?”

  “Because…I am one.”

  He springs up, and I flinch as his hand pulls back. I cover my face, ready to block, but the blow never comes. I peek around my crossed arms. He knocks his crown off as he grabs fistfuls of his hair and begins to pace.

  “Shit, Zara!”

  I reach out, and then tentatively place my hand on his shoulder. “Please listen to me.” He looks down at me, and his eyes are lost, the anger a fraction less. I go on. “I didn’t start out as one. I was recruited after I was brought here. But it’s not what you think. Your father has lied to you, Sebastian.” I release a heavy breath, then suck in another. “Outside is horrible, yes. But the Virus was designed by your father so he could have slaves to power Karm. They don’t die. They are out there.” I point toward the wall. “And they’re being given as sacrifices to mutated humans in order to keep them from destroying his project.”

  I expect him to react in confusion, shame, shock—but not the way he does.

  He laughs, a hollow, humorous boom. “Oh, my God. You have gone mad.” He drives his hand through his already disheveled hair, then turns and heads toward the door. “I’ll get the physician. Maybe we can postpone the wedding an hour more until he’s looked—”

  “Sebastian.” I step in front of him. “You know what I say is the truth.” I stare into his eyes. “Look around you. How do you think this all works? What has your father already told you? What has he been teaching you?”

  Realization lights his eyes with a sudden clarity as he stares into mine. He turns his back to me. “I was to learn some great secret before my crowning on the morrow.” He sits back down on the bed. His jaw tenses, and he grinds out, “But this madness is not it.”

  “What I tell you is the truth.” My hands shake at my sides and I ball them into fists. “I’ve seen it with my own eyes. I’ve seen my father out there, his eyes lost to the Virus. And I’ve seen the compound, where the Taken labor, harvesting power so that your father’s realm can thrive.”

  He stares at the ground, silent. I kneel before him. “Sebastian,” I plead his name. “You once asked me what it takes to rule.”

  His eyes snap to mine.

  “I now know the answer to your question.” I take his hands in mine. “It’s yes. Our emotions and feelings for others make us stronger. That’s what’s needed to be a great leader.”

  He tilts his head, studying my face before blinking away the memory stirring within him. He straightens his back. “Why you?”

  “Everyone thought it was me who had to stop Hart. But it’s not.” I
seek his eyes imploringly and assert, “It’s you.”

  His eyes blaze liquid gold. “I would never—”

  “I believe in you,” I say quickly, desperately. He bites down on his lip, and red beads against his teeth. His shoulders shake. Taking a steadying breath, I keep on, knowing he’s either close to seeing the truth, or I’m dangerously close to having to defend myself. “I believe in the compassion you have inside you—the kindness, the goodness, the love for your people. I believe you can find a new way for Karm, and protect its citizens.”

  His eyes glaze over and he shakes his head. “You don’t understand what you ask of me. My father is everything to me. He’s given me everything. I can no more go against him than I can my own nature.”

  “I know you. You’ve told me of all the boundless things you want for this realm.” I grip his hands. “See them through. Remove Hart from power. On the morrow, once you’re crowned, order him locked away.” I huff. “Hell, he’s already locked away. But take away his power, his fear over the people, his command. Take down the barrier, end the torment, and everyone will follow you.”

  His eyes glisten, and a single tear shimmers at the corner of his lid.

  “I will follow you.”

  He’s so close. I can see it in his eyes—he’s wavering. Having been raised by Hart, the fear is present in him. I can feel it rolling off him in waves, but I’m close to breaking down the barrier around his heart. I need to tread lightly. But he’s so close…

  ER-ER-ER.

  ER-ER-ER.

  I flinch at the ear-shattering siren, and Sebastian springs up. “What the hell—?” He looks down at me, his eyes carving a fiery trail along my face. “What have you done?”

  I shake my head. Panic thunders through my body. “Nothing. I don’t know what’s happening.” And I don’t. I glance around the room, at the blinking lights as they flash on and off above our heads. The room vibrates with the alarm. The sound is deafening, and my head pounds in sync with it.