“Ready?” Keiran asked, pulling his sword from his sheath and holding it out toward me. He didn't wait for my response as he began to circle, looking for any opening I allowed. He jumped forward, his blade slicing through the air. I dodged easily, giving a heavy blow to his blade and forcing him to step back. The blade reverberated from the impact, tingling my hand.
Keiran's eyes widened, looking me over again as though he just realized I was a capable opponent. Anten had trained me decently, at least.
Our swords hit again, I dodged, and then he would. He stepped into the Shadow and reappeared across the room, gaining the advantage as I spun around. I slashed the sword with ferocity, stabbing toward him, forcing him back against a wall. The sword brushed against his shoulder and Keiran's sword clambered to the ground. His mouth widened in disbelief, his hand moving to where the sword had hit. When he lifted his hand, it was covered in blood.
I backed up, seeing the shock on everyone's faces. “I'm sorry.” My eyes darted to the Prince of Darkness, his face devoid of emotion. I placed the sword on the ground, my hands covering my mouth. “I'm just not used to this sword. It's so light...I didn't mean to—”
Truthfully, I had never needed to worry before. Anten could never get hurt.
Celeste strode forward, grabbing the sword from the ground and backing away from me as though I might hurt her too.
“Give it back to her.” The room silenced as everyone looked to the Prince of Darkness. A small smile formed on Zander's face, terrifying me. “Give it back,” the Prince repeated when nobody responded.
Celeste gave a sick smile, extending the weapon to me. “As you wish, my Prince.”
I met his eyes, watching the smirk stretch across his face as he spoke. “She's the winner, and now she'll fight the next opponent.” He stepped forward, drawing his sword.
I couldn't breathe. How could I be expected to fight the Prince of Darkness? The sword grew heavy in my nervous arms. “I need a moment.” I said, trying to mask the fear in my voice. “I just fought, after all.”
The Prince nodded, standing patiently in front of me and replacing his sword at his side. “A drink, perhaps?” At the Prince's suggestion, Zander brought a glass of amber liquid, extending it to me.
“What is it?” I asked, taking the glass.
“For the nerves,” the Prince responded.
I took a small sip, using all my self control to not spit it out. It burned all the way to my stomach and the uneasy feeling dissipated. Handing the glass back to Zander, I looked to the Prince, “Are you going to kill me now?” I meant it to sound sarcastic, but the serious question hung in the air.
“If I wanted you dead, I would've let the hydras have you. Besides, there's a lady present.” He winked at Celeste, and then met my eyes. “Whenever you're ready, Princess.”
Though his hand rested on the jeweled hilt, his sword remained sheathed. I adjusted my grip, nodding. His sword flashed in front of me before I even saw him withdraw it. I knocked his blade away just in time, already certain I was out of my league. I had won the fight against Keiran through a hint of luck. His steps had been uncertain, his swings slow.
The Shadow began to wrap around the Prince. I turned the moment he disappeared, expecting for him to be behind me, but instead I found nothing. The flat end of his blade hit my arm as he dropped from above. The dark bands of Shadow remained wrapped around him, disappearing and reappearing every few seconds. He was an impossible enemy. Everywhere and no where.
He left no opportunity for an attack, every movement I made was in defense. My free hand extending in front of me, protecting my core. His blade ran against my arm, searing like a paper cut.
“No shield, why are you so straightforward, Princess? Aren't you trained to fight once you lose your shield?” He spoke easily, blocking my swings, and wearing a relaxed smile.
I heaved for breath, wondering how much longer my sore arms would hold up. I smacked his blade away, my exhaustion impossible to hide as I spoke: “Return with your shield, or dead on it.” The Prince raised his eyebrows at the statement, and I took advantage of his distraction.
“Turn your body, narrow your chances of getting hit,” the Prince said as he dodged. His sword smacked my shoulder, driving his point home. I looked at his form. Almost completely sideways, his sword extended toward me, and his other hand free behind him, for balance.
“Are you training her now, Demetri?” Zander called from the sidelines. “Just get on with it and stop playing around.”
The Prince laughed darkly. “Very well.” He Shaded, moving in and out of the Shadow so swiftly I could barely block his hits, one jabbing into my rib cage I gasped, a warm ooze escaping. I immediately gained my composure, narrowing my eyes and extending my sword. The pain pulsed against my chest.
Shadow filled the room, and I could no longer keep up. A blade pressed gently against my neck, a hand on the opposite shoulder. The Prince stood behind me and the blade dared to draw blood if I moved. With a scowl plastered on his face, he leaned forward, his lips brushing against my hair. Warm breath touched my ear. “You don't beat us one-on-one. You have to outnumber us, little Red.”
Chills ran down my spine as he backed off, but his sword remained as he circled me. “Trying to prove how dangerous you are?” I said, more confidently than I felt.
“The danger is out there, Princess.” He nodded to the windows that looked out on Asphodel. “And believe me. There are much scarier things than me.”
“What is going on!” Gwen yelled from behind us, entering the room. She ran toward me, but stopped several feet away. Her eyes were wide on the sword at my throat and the one in my hands.
“Just having some fun,” Keiran said with a wild smile. Zander sipped on his drink, avoiding Gwen's eyes.
The Prince backed off, his sword removed. “I'll accept your surrender.” His eyes glimmered in the twilight light.
“I'm not used to this kind of sword,” I said, trying to defend myself despite my lack of real training.
“You are weak and afraid. The sword isn't the problem,” the Prince said. Laughter rang out from the others.
All but Gwen. “This little fight club you have going on is childish,” she said, staring pointedly at Zander as she spoke. “Someone is going to end up getting really hurt.” She strode forward to Zander as he took another sip, grabbing the glass and sniffing it. She erupted, “And you're drinking!”
“Oh, come on, Gwen. We're just messing around.” Zander said, looking to the others for support as he snagged the glass back, finishing what was left before she could stop him.
The tiny Gwen stomped with more force than one would expect from someone her size. She opened a large wardrobe, filled her arms, and shoved a leather cuirass over my head.
“Why are you suiting her up for war? You're just preparing the Red the kill us,” Keiran said.
Gwen tightened leg and arm guards onto me. “We need to get her back home safely.”
Zander began to laugh. “Gwen, she doesn't need armor. She's a Red! They practically can't die.”
“Thanks,” I muttered to Gwen as she charged after a retreating Zander.
Everyone filtered out as I finished securing the armor. I was about to leave when I noticed the Prince looking out the windows, his back to me.
“Thank you for the lesson, Prince,” I said, ready to run out of the room.
“You have a lot to learn.” Shadow wrapped around him and he appeared in front of me. He was only inches away, his eyes looking down into mine.
“Do you not tire from using your gift so frequently?” I asked.
“Within such a sort distance, it's like breathing.” He raised his hand, as though he were going to touch my cheek, but he ran it through his hair. “We better get some sleep. We're leaving first thing in the morning for Taroth.”
I nodded, unable to move my feet as he stepped around me.
I made it back to my bedroom, closing the door behind me and leaning against it, try
ing to calm my racing heart. I inhaled deeply, pain exploding from my chest. I stripped off the shirt, mending my rib cage where the sword had cut. Thankfully, it wasn't deep. As I cleaned and bandaged it, I thought of my fight with the Prince.
Why hadn't he killed me when all the legends said he was merciless?
10
A huge ship floated in the canal, so large that one would expect to see it on an endless expanse of sea. Black sails and sleek dark wood reflected the blue twilight of Asphodel. At the front of the ship, a huge wooden hydra, frozen in a roar.
Celeste dropped a pile of bags on the dock, standing next to me and Gwen. She wore only black clothes: a military jacket with silver buttons and a short skirt, while her long legs hid under thigh-high boots, equipped with stilettos. A bit overdressed for traveling. “When do we set off?”
“Are you sure you want to come?” Gwen asked. “It's a long journey to the Gate.”
“And stay behind in this dreary place while you guys are in Empyrea? I don't think so.” She rolled her eyes and looked back toward the ship.
“Prince Demetri said we'll be leaving immediately, miss.” A man with black hair that matched his suit appeared on the dock. He looked between Gwen and me before collecting the bags and loading them onto the ship.
“We're just releasing the Red back into the wild, Celeste. But I'm glad you're coming, all the same,” Keiran said, joining us on the dock.
“Her name is Elara, Keiran.” Gwen said.
Celeste twisted her neck back toward the castle. “Demetri will be here soon, then?”
Nobody answered, but as if he heard her, he appeared in a cloud of smoke on the Shadow of the dock. “Where's Thana?” His words edged with anger as he stomped forward. “I told her we don't have time—”
“Hush, Prince,” Thana said, her voice cold. “It is you that needs me, and not the other way around. Do not treat me like one of these dogs you order around.” She gestured to the group who had began boarding in a hurry the moment the Prince had shown up.
His brow furrowed in frustration, opening his mouth to speak. Seeming to think of better of it, he climbed to the captain's deck. The sailors aboard the ship bowed to the Prince as he passed by. Orders were shouted, and the ship slowly moved as the sails spread.
I watched the Prince at the helm, talking to the captain in the black suit, no doubt charting the journey. He glanced my direction, and I nearly jumped down into the ship's underbelly after Gwen.
“I bought you some things, since we're about the same size,” she said. We passed by a warm kitchen and dining hall as she handed me the duffle bag. I nodded, but Gwen had already moved into a room filled with several beds. “I hope you're okay from last night.”
Thana entered the room behind us. “What happened last night?”
“The Prince fought Elara.”
“And how did it go?” Thana asked. The cut on my rib cage burned at the thought.
Gwen gave a hesitant glance toward me. “He is the Prince. I've never seen him lose, even to a Red.” She spoke as though to reassure me that it was okay for me to lose the fight. For some reason, it reminded me I was lesser. Like she knew I wasn't supposed to lose. My gift should have given me the strength to win.
The huge ship felt oddly empty, perhaps because most of the occupants avoided me like a diseased rat. Gwen spent most of her time with Zander or meditating, so I wandered the lower decks to pass time. We had been sailing for days, but it felt like weeks. No guard followed me aboard the ship, only adding to the loneliness.
I heard the clang of swords and moved faster. I stopped at the top of the stairs, remaining hidden as I watched the Prince circle Keiran. “Breathe. Feel the Shadow around you.” He dove forward as Keiran disappeared and appeared behind him. “Good,” the Prince said. “If all else fails, at least you can escape.”
Keiran growled, charging toward the Prince to counter the insult. He flung his sword around wildly, hoping to hit his opponent by mere chance.
The Prince dodged easily, a grin on his face. “Don't wear yourself out. Each strike should be intentional.” He smacked Keiran's sword from his hands, letting it clamber onto the deck. His arm wrapped around the boy's neck and rubbed his hair playfully. When he released him, Keiran's eyes met mine. My heart stopped as I realized I was intruding on a private moment.
The Prince stepped into the Shadow, an annoyed look upon his face. Keiran picked up his sword and strode down the steps past me, his shoulder slamming against mine.
I was trapped on the ship, raking my brain for any escape. I wandered until I found Gwen. She sat on her cot, legs crossed and eyes closed. Thana slept in the far corner, a blanket of Shadow covering her. I sat on the bed, prepared to wait for Gwen, but a loud squeak from beneath me prompted her to open one eye.
“Everything okay?” she asked.
I wondered if I should tell her about what had just happened, but instead I nodded. “Just bored.”
She smiled and jumped up and off the bed, as gracefully as a dancer, but as she moved, her eyes clouded over. Her body began to sway. I raced to her, barely catching her as she fell to the ground, her eyes wide in terror.
“Help!” I yelled. “Someone!” I heard the footsteps behind me, my arms still around Gwen.
“What did you do?” Keiran snarled. Zander pushed past him and took Gwen's still form from me.
“Nothing.” I said. “She just collapsed.”
Zander watched me carefully, checking for any lie. “Go get Prince Demetri.”
I nodded, rushing out. He was no where in sight, I checked all the rooms below deck, before rushing up the stairs. A sailor manned the captain's deck. I rushed to the man. “Where is the Prince?”
With an annoyingly calm voice, he nodded to the door below that led to the captain's quarters. “Prince Demetri has asked not to be disturbed. He would especially be upset if you were the one to bother him.”
I ignored his warning and ran to the door, banging my fist's against it. The door opened rapidly, and I had to stop my fist from hitting him in the face. “I'm busy, what do you want?” He didn't hide his annoyance.
“It's Gwen. Zander sent me to get you.” The words rushed so fast from my mouth I wondered if he could even understand them. He nodded, gesturing for me to show the way. I practically ran back to the room.
Gwen had been placed on the the cot, her form still. The Prince moved next to Zander. After a long moment, Gwen moved, and relief flooded into me. Her eyes passed over everyone around her, confused. Her voice was weak, “Fire and blood, a betrayer among us.”
“Who?” the Prince asked, but he looked to me.
“I couldn't See. They are hidden.”
Keiran scoffed, glaring my direction. “We all know who it is.”
11
I lay awake on the dark bed, thinking of the day's events. Gwen had said nothing to defend me, though I had no intention of betraying anyone.
A hand covered my mouth, my eyes went wide as the silhouette dragged me from the bed. I tried to scream against the sweaty palm, but the sound was stifled.
I fought against the dark figure, but they dragged me from the room. Torches lit the hallway, and a tattooed arm flashed before me. Keiran.
He dragged me out onto the deck, a cold breeze against us. Even the helm stood empty, no witnesses. Keiran pushed me to the edge of the ship, and I felt the blade against my back. His hand slipped off my mouth, and my screams rang out. “Help!” My voice was weak, wavering with fear. Had it been loud enough?
“Did you stop when my family yelled for help?” Keiran whispered, his voice like poison. “You don't deserve help, you filthy Red. I won't let you betray us.” My stomach dropped as I began to flip over the edge, screaming bloody murder. “Quiet!” Keiran demanded.
I heard the footsteps of onlookers. Wisps of black smoke blew in the breeze. The sleepy crowd still assessing the scene.
“Enough!” Only one voice held that kind of authority. I was instantly free, able to
collapse safely back onto the boat. The crowd broke up, allowing the Prince of Darkness through. I pushed myself up from the planks, trying to calm myself. The Prince strode forward toward the two of us.
Keiran spoke quickly. “You heard Gwen. The Red will betray us—”
The Prince didn't let him finish. He grabbed the front of Keiran's shirt, lifting his scrawny form off his feet. “You dare to defy me?”
“Pr—I—” Keiran tried to answer, his shirt tightening around his neck.
“I gave a direct order,” the Prince said with absolute calm, unaffected by Keiran's face beginning to puff up.
“Let him go, Demetri!” Gwen yelled out. Everyone else remained silent.
The Prince of Darkness smirked, moving forward until Keiran's feet dangled overboard. “Yes, perhaps I should drop him. That would teach him a lesson.”
Keiran's eyes gave a silent plea within them, his life at the whim of the Prince of Darkness. His eyes flickered the waters below, but his mouth remained still, unwilling to show weakness in front of his Prince.
“Please, stop this,” I said. I took a step back as the Prince looked to me, dropping the man on the deck. He strode forward, glaring down at me. “Yes, show mercy to the one who tried to kill you.” He laughed at my stupidity. “Next time, I won't intervene.”
Keiran leaned against the side of the ship, clutching at his throat. The neckline of his shirt had left a thin red line. He shot a glare at me—because he hated me or because I was the one to save him, I didn't know. But the moment the Prince stood in front of him, he looked up, regret shining in his eyes. He frowned, his eyes glinting with potential tears. Keiran's stoic demeanor transformed for a split second, a child cowering before the Prince of Darkness.
“Disobey me again, and I'll throw you to the hydras. Now, get out of my sight.”
While everyone filtered back to their rooms, I remained on the deck. I watched the Prince look out over the foggy waters. Shadow wrapped around him and he appeared in front of me. I jumped back, surprised he was even aware of my presence. “Still afraid of me, little Red?” He stepped forward, closing the gap between us once more. Sweet spice clogged my senses as he looked down at me.
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