have to, Flynn, and you have to win. You were destined to be king. I see that now.
He shook his head slightly in disagreement, but I knew I was right about this. Standing here, facing my younger brother in battle, the purpose of my trial became clear to me. We’d always assumed that Killian would be king, and he would have been great. But circumstances beyond his control took him out of the running. We had to adjust our way of thinking, and we had to do it now, as I’d unconsciously done when I chose to save Flynn.
I might have been next in line based on age but not on ability. My role had always been as protector and warrior. I wasn’t a born leader. But Flynn was, whether he knew it yet or not.
And, if all of that wasn’t enough to convince me, my desire to get the hell out of here and go after Imogen sealed the deal. I didn’t want to be here, fighting for the crown. Saving my beautiful girl was all I cared about.
You need to take me out, I insisted.
I won’t do that to you.
You have to. It has to be real, so that no one questions the validity of your victory.
He hesitated.
Do it now, Flynn, so I can go after Imogen.
Imogen
The doctor had gotten in her wallops, via the collar, of course. She’d added all sorts of new features she’d wanted to try. Besides the obvious response to my voice, it had tightened the moment someone tried to tug it off.
Brina had let me choke for a good thirty seconds before she set the collar back to “tight,” instead of “murder tight.”
I didn’t even remember anyone bringing me back to a cell. After blacking out, I’d awoken in a room a little bit different than the one where I’d spent the last year. Clearly, they weren’t worried about me speaking anymore, if the regular prison door was any indication. This room was their way of telling me I wasn’t a threat to them, not when they had a collar that would kill me if I tried to remove it.
Tracing my finger on the wall, I wrote what I wished would happen. Let me out. Let me out.
I sniffed, swallowing down the tears and sobs that wanted to burst from my throat. What were the princes doing now? Surely, they’d realized what had happened to Killian.
I hoped they’d found him. I hated to think of him alone, beneath the water.
The scent of sunshine and rain filled my room, and I jumped to my feet, groaning when I tweaked my broken rib. I didn’t even care.
Sunshine and lilacs? That was the scent of good magic. Someone was coming.
I studied the room, waiting for a sign, but I wasn’t prepared for the strong hand that landed on my shoulder and spun me around.
Ronan took me in his arms, holding me tight. It hurt my ribs, but I didn’t complain or make a noise of discomfort.
I’m sorry.
What did he have to apologize for?
No. I was the one who owed them all an apology. I am. I couldn’t stop Killian. I couldn’t save him. I’m so sorry. I’d never recover from Killian’s loss, but standing in the safety of Ronan’s embrace, I felt stronger. For him, I would do whatever it took to avenge his brother’s death.
Killian is alive. Ronan pushed me away from him, bending at the knees to stare into my eyes. He’s alive. Drained of power and out of the tournament, but alive.
My knees gave at the declaration, but he caught me before I hit the hard ground. I saw him go under the water.
And Flynn and I pulled him out. I promise you, Imogen. I wouldn’t lie about this.
I covered my mouth with my hand. I believed him. Somehow, the gods had mercy on us and spared his life.
We need to get back, Ronan told me. He put his hand over mine where it rested on my hurt rib. Warmth flowed through him to me, and I could suddenly draw a full breath. How do I get this collar off of you?
You can’t. Even trying could kill me.
Fuck. He shook his head. We’ll have to leave it for now. The tournament is still going, and it’s all up to Flynn now. He has to fight with only his strength. No magic.
What? My hand flew to my mouth. How is that even possible? I thought the next trial wouldn’t be until tomorrow.