Blood Gift by Roth Vela

Author:Roth, Vela
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Fantasy Romance
Publisher: Five Thorns Preses
Published: 2023-06-07T00:00:00+00:00

93

Days Until

AUTUMN EQUINOX

6 Anthros’s Sword, 1597 OT

ONE OF THEIR OWN

At twilight, Karege hauled Lio off his cot and stood him up. “On your feet, Sunshine! We don’t have much time to prepare you.”

Lio’s fangs shot out of his gums, and his magic fought against the confines of his body. Where was his Grace?

He tried to think through the instinctive, protective rage coursing through his veins. She was with Mak. Nothing could happen to her.

Lio rubbed his face. “Prepare me?”

“To survive a fight with Sunburn,” Karege said, “you’ll need at least a year of training with the Ashes. Unfortunately, we only have a couple of hours while she’s still in Council.”

Lio looked around and saw that Kella and Hoyefe were also waiting for him. They weren’t at the Castra any longer, but in a Hesperine tent, and Lio could sense the Summit Sanctuary’s ward outside. It seemed Karege had hauled Lio here in his sleep like a sack of turnips.

“Tuura is still at Patria, isn’t she?” Lio asked.

“On guard against the Collector.” Kella sat astride Tilili, sharpening her fortune blade. “Lyros is with her and Solia.”

Hoyefe straightened Lio’s robe, which seemed like it was trying to choke him. “Alas, you’ll have to solve your romantic woes after the battle.”

“But this battle is for Cassia,” Lio said. “For us, for Solia’s blessing. I need to make Cassia understand.”

Kella held her blade up to the spell light. “The time to help her understand would have been before you accepted the challenge. Too late now.”

“Is Cassia coming to the match?” Lio asked.

Kella shrugged. “That’s anyone’s guess. But if she doesn’t, you’ll simply have to do your best without her blood.”

For the first time, Lio felt an inkling of doubt about rushing into this.

Kella’s fortune blade suddenly came sailing toward him. He moved to one side, and it flew past his arm on its way to stab a pillow on the cot.

Kella cocked her head. “Decent reaction time for a Hesperine right out of Slumber. You might last a few minutes in the ring.”

Lio had endured half a year of Craving, hadn’t he? He had bested the Dexion in the gymnasium. And he had survived battles far more dangerous than a sparring match with his Grace-sister. “Oh, I’ll last longer than a few minutes, I assure you. Will Solia receive any preparation with Hesperine warriors? I want to ensure our match is fair.”

Karege laughed. “She’s been fighting with me for years. She doesn’t need any preparation.”

“On the contrary,” Lio said, “I do not believe she’s prepared for me.”

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