The Valkyries' Queen (Jeweled Wings Book 2) by Quinn Arthurs

Author:Quinn Arthurs [Arthurs, Quinn]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2019-04-29T16:00:00+00:00

12

I evened out my breathing, trying to run through Tesha's training in my head while I walked. I was grateful for what she had told me in private, though I doubted that my mates would have found it as comforting as I did. I was already the talk of the palace with my wings, my mates, and the fate of Lady Deirdre. Losing a match may lower me in the esteem of the court, but I knew I was far from high in their ranking, despite my given position. I merely had to ensure that I stayed alive and that I didn't accidentally perform a killing blow on Aella. I was sure at least Firuzeh and Vered would then be clamoring for my head if that were the case.

"This is where we leave you," Blaine spoke up as we passed into the bright sunlight of the courtyard. "You're expected to enter the dueling area alone to prove that you are entering of your own accord."

"We love you, Emberly," Neel said, his sapphire eyes brilliant in the sunlight.

"I love you all." I resisted the urge to throw myself back into their arms, the wall of safety that they provided.

"Go, Emberly," Tesha ordered. I nodded, accustomed to following her orders on the training yard. I heard my mates walking away as well, the last vestige of safety fading as they disappeared. I wondered briefly if they would join the king, or if they would feel incapable of keeping their silence. I wasn't quite sure which avenue I preferred.

The noise from the crowd drew me to the correct ring. It appeared that most of the court had decided to watch the spectacle and I saw the glint of coins as money changed hands. I hoped anyone who bet on me wasn't betting more than they could afford to lose. Aella stood confidently in the center of the ring, apparently ignoring Jaedyn, Firuzeh, and Vered who were speaking heatedly at her side as she stretched.

The roar of the crowd dropped down to a murmur as I stepped into the ring, turning the Saradin’s attention onto me. Aella’s lip curled back in a snarl but the princes faced me with icy calm. Their eyes remained on me as they filed past, exiting the training ground until only Aella and I remained.

"Aella of Saradin has claimed insult from Lady Emberly of Ardenia." King Anyil’s voice rang out over the now silent crowd, the boom of his voice loud enough to startle several of the gathered witnesses. I approached Aella, coming to stand opposite her, splitting my attention between the king standing at the edge of the yard making his announcement and the female glaring at me as if her eyes were a weapon themselves. "Lady Emberly has agreed to a duel to settle that insult." He directed those words to the crowd before turning to face Aella and I. "Honor yourselves and the laws and customs of your countries."

As he finished speaking I saw a flash of colored wings, Jett and Blaine had joined their father, Tesha at their side.

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