said, the Sovereign’s Choice has come to a close—”
“I have a question,” Tobias said.
Wembleton flinched. “Pardon?”
“I said I have a question.”
That was a lie. What he had was desperation, a need to reverse his circumstances by any means necessary.
Wembleton wavered. “Well, yes, but—”
“The Shepherd and the Dragon.” He cocked his head at the two Beasts. “Why are they staying?”
“The Sovereign has determined—”
“I’m not asking you.” His eyes panned to the throne. “I’m asking him.”
The Sovereign leaned back in his Daughter’s seat, unfazed. “Choose your words wisely, Artist.”
Tobias stepped forward, searching his mind for words—whichever would most aggravate the man before him. “You send home a good man today. Yet a man who marks his kills on his arms and another who preys on women get to stay. Why?”
“I’m not obligated to explain my decisions to you.”
“And have you no obligation to your Daughter? Or would you prefer She marry a murderer? Is that simply your taste? Did you just pick out the most heinous killers in this tournament and give them your blessing?”
The Sovereign met Tobias’s glare with his own. “You will learn your place, Artist. You stand below me for a reason.”
“The Shepherd and the Dragon are not fit to rule alongside your Daughter. They’re rabid dogs that need to be put down.”
“And tell me, who is better fit for the throne in your humble opinion? A laborer? One without a father? Who keeps the company of cripples?”
The heat in Tobias’s chest rose to his throat. “You have no care for your Daughter. No care for your staff. You put their lives at risk each day. You let murderers share their home.” His fists began shaking. “You’re a liar and a coward.”
“And you’re a fool who can’t see what’s right in front of him,” the Sovereign spat. “You speak as if your words matter, but you are blind, and you are stupid, and your common blood reeks of pity and shit. You’re worthless—a little boy playing a man’s game. You’re in over your head. And your only ally lies to your face.”
The last declaration slapped Tobias in the mouth, stinging in a way he hadn’t anticipated. His eyes almost flitted to Leila, but he kept his gaze steady.
“I wanted to send you home today,” the Sovereign said. “But for whatever reason, my Daughter, the daft Cunt, She saved you. So here we are, stuck with one another yet again. But now…now I’m growing fond of this decision. Because at least I still have the pleasure of watching you die.” He leaned forward, staring at Tobias intently. “You will die here, Artist. You will.”
Wave after wave of emotion rushed through Tobias, each one ugly. Death wasn’t the worst thing that could happen to him. No, the worst thing had occurred just now, in this room.
“The challenge is over.” The Sovereign flicked his wrist. “Send the Intellect on his way.”
People moved around Tobias, but he stood in silence, his eyes locked on the Sovereign. I’m not going anywhere. His insides slowly crumbled away, reducing him to dust on the throne room floor.
“Brother.”
Raphael waited anxiously at his side, a line of guards hovering close behind him. He leaned into Tobias, giving him a hug that was as unwanted as it was out of character, then spoke in his ear.
“Fight to win.”
Tobias pulled away. “What?”
His eyes grew larger. “Fight to win.”
The guards tugged Raphael away, leaving Tobias to watch as they marched off, trampling over his beaten will.
He didn’t remember walking back to his chamber; for all he knew he had floated there. Everything within him was corroding, turning whatever remained of his humanity into something else. Something empty.
It’s my fault. He knew better than to cling to hope, but he had staked his future on the Sovereign’s Choice anyway, had held on to it like it was his last breath. Now that it was gone, he was choking.
His chamber door flew open, and Flynn ambled inside. Tobias fumbled with his brushes, pretending to be occupied. “Have we been summoned again?”
Flynn leaned against Orion’s bedframe, glancing Tobias over. “That was quite the challenge, wasn’t it?”
“It was a shocking turn of events. Hard to believe Raph is gone.”
“Yes, and I’m sure no one’s more disappointed by that than you.”
Flynn’s words pierced through him as if they carried venom. Tobias squared his shoulders. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
“Don’t play stupid, I saw the look on your face when Wembleton announced your exemption. And you practically begged the Sovereign to send you home alongside Raph.”