Veil of Fate: Book 1 (Fates of Mirror series) by Jinapher J. Hoffman

Author:Jinapher J. Hoffman
Language: eng
Format: azw3
Publisher: Independent
Published: 2022-09-20T22:00:00+00:00

Chapter 9

I’m this close to smiling my way out of the banquet hall and going about my life without The Prince or Cristen or who the fuck cares.

This. Damn. Close.

But as it turns out, a woman’s war cry can stop me in my tracks.

I swivel back around, my eyes flying wide as a female warrior charges toward me. “Fuck!” I screech as her leather clad shoulder rams into my chest and knocks me to the floor.

“You will not insult our Heir,” the woman hisses with venom. She jams her forearm across my neck and cuts off my windpipe.

“How ironic of you,” I squeak, remembering her face, “just moments ago, you were worried about me.”

“That was before I knew you were a despicable brat.” She pushes her forearm down harder.

I bat at her sides, and victory scores through me when my fingers find a dagger strapped to her waist. I rip it free then plunge it into her bicep.

She howls and falls off of me.

I spring to my feet, bend down and tear the dagger free from her arm. I pant heavy breaths as I rake my eyes over her in displeasure. “You shouldn’t attack an enemy without knowing their strengths.” I lean over her with a snarl. “Mine is being cornered.”

“You’re disgusting,” she growls.

“Better that than pathetic,” I snap back and bare my teeth at her.

“That’s enough,” a low voice murmurs.

I falter to the side. My insides twist with unease.

Cristen Estal stands a few feet away. His face is grim, but I swear there’s a hint of pride lighting those ever-swirling eyes of his. “Tonight is a night of peace for us all. Tomorrow begins the tournament.”

I reel in my fatigue, embarrassment, fury and find my indifference. I fold my arms over my chest and purse my lips. “I no longer wish to compete.”

Cristen’s gaze darkens, fleeting between maroon, indigo and emerald. “I’m afraid that’s not possible. Not without wiping your memory.”

I scowl. “I don’t care. I clearly don’t belong here, so I want out.”

His shoulders tense beneath his cloak. “I would have to erase every memory since your initiation to the tournament that is tainted with my presence.”

Something cold and mournful rolls through me. Every memory of Cristen, of The Prince – gone? I chew on the inside of my cheek. No, it would be more than that. I would forget the only lead I have on my brother, too, because Cristen was there. I swallow and flick my gaze around the banquet hall.

Everyone stares. No one speaks.

I level my gaze with his. I don’t need to say anything. He knows I can’t back out, not if it means giving up the only lead on my brother. Still, I can never control my snake of a tongue. “Then I’ll stay, but not for you. For my brother.”

The tension in Cristen’s shoulders amplifies along his neck, his jaw. His eyes become nothing more than a storm, and it’s hard to tell if it’s anger or pain. His lips part slightly on a small, barely conceivable inhale.

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