Champion of Fire & Ice - Megan Derr Page 0,47

off his feet.

Cimar straddled him and drew his dagger, slipping it in the gap between the gorget and breastplate, which shouldn't have been possible unless the armor wasn't put on exactly right, or if the aventail that went under it wasn't worn. Grayne had been lazy, or sloppy, or more likely had put on most of his armor alone and had paid the price.

Whatever was said between them, Davrin couldn't hear it from so great a distance, but Grayne lifted a hand in surrender. The crowds around them were a mix of congratulatory applause and resounding booing cries that Cimar hadn't killed him as ordered.

But a knight always had the prerogative to show mercy, even when ordered to fight to the death. Davrin simply hadn't expected the opportunity to present or for Grayne to accept it.

Cimar rose and offered a hand, but Grayne knocked it away and said something that caused Cimar to shrug, sheath his dagger and sword, and turn away.

He hadn't gone more than a few steps when Grayne climbed to his feet, and even at a distance Davrin could see his eyes were glowing a terrible fiery red.

Davrin surged forward, gripping the railing of the royal box. "Cimar! Behind!"

Cimar didn't bother to turn around, just started running, putting as much space as he possibly could between him and Grayne. All the while, he discarded whatever bits and pieces of armor he could, including his sword belt.

Steam filled the arena as Grayne finished shifting. He stood at least nine measures tall, black fur a cut of shadow in the snow-drenched world around them, the tips like glowing embers. It was thick and heavy, sticking out in ragged spikes that looked more like weapons that fur. Snow turned to steam in a circle around him, and the ground hissed beneath his feet where it was scorched away. His nostrils billowed more steam, and the people nearest him in the arena seats grimaced and withdrew.

He roared, the sound echoing off the stone walls of the arena, making more than a few people recoil. Many simply got up and left, unwilling to stay for the death they'd cheered for now that it was going to be so grisly.

Across the field, close to the royal box, Cimar stood calmly, at least half his armor discarded now.

Grayne snorted and huffed, head jerking in a way that seemed to taunt and goad.

"I gave you a chance to surrender," Cimar said, voice ringing out across the field. "I gave you a chance to live."

Grayne just snorted derisively again and tensed, feet digging deep into the muddy ground around him—then he was off, shooting across the field, headed straight for Cimar.

Who stood calmly. The air shimmered and wavered around him, like sunlight coming off hot stone, and then he was shifting, clothes and the remaining pieces of armor ripping and breaking apart as he grew in size.

And grew. And grew.

Grayne drew up just short of reaching him, and with a snort drew back out of the way, not stupid enough to get swept up in the uncontrollable thrashing of a large shifter.

Davrin wasn't the only one left reeling, gasping, as Cimar finished.

He was a dragon. An enormous, dark silvery-blue dragon with swirling silver eyes and four thick, sharp black horns. He dominated the arena and made Grayne look like a child—or a toy.

Seeming to realize his mistake at last, Grayne turned to flee, but it was far too late. A single burst of motion, a long, smooth lunge, and Cimar had Grayne in his jaws. A hard crunch, and that was that. Cimar spit Grayne out then whipped around and bellowed at the royal box.

Tekker looked so ashen Davrin expected him to pass out.

King Rorlen, however, simply looked furious like usual. He surged to his feet, face red, body trembling with the force of his rage. "This is all your fault!" Before anyone could ask who exactly he was talking to, he punched Tekker in the face, sending him toppling to the ground. Surging forward again, Rorlen picked him up and dragged him into a position that Davrin recognized far too late.

"Father, no!" Korena screamed.

Too late. Rorlen snapped Tekker's neck and threw his body over the railing with far too much ease, then rounded on the rest of them. Nearby, the guards stood stupefied. Terrified.

Rage and madness filled Rorlen's eyes as he leveled them on Davrin. "It's all your fault, and you're going to pay. Right now. I won't tolerate this a second longer."

"Father, stop it!