Chapter 19

Page Nineteen.

I found a way to save them all, but…it will cost me everything. It will cost my life.

"Icome offering gifts. Well, food, but it's meant to be a gift."

I glance up from my rows of books at Daegan as he steps into the light of the lantern at the end of the library corridor. He's holding up a wicker basket that I can tell is filled with food from the smell alone, and my stomach rumbles in answer to him before I even get a word out. I give him a tight smile. "My work isn't done, not for a while yet, and there's no food allowed in here."

Daegan walks in. "I'm sure Mazzis will look the other way for me." He sits down on the chair next to me, close enough his leg brushes mine. I clear the books, putting them back in the organised piles to make room. Daegan uses the space up, taking out cakes, sandwiches, fruit and dried potatoes that have been cut into circle shapes, sprinkled with salt, and they are slowly becoming one of my favourites.

I go to thank him, but the words feel too heavy to speak. It's been awkward between us after everything that happened with Ziven. I have to admit that I've been avoiding him. The awkwardness doesn't seem to fade as he looks at me and I finally manage to speak. "Thanks for bringing food. You didn't have to."

"You feel guilty, and you've been avoiding me." He arches an eyebrow at me when I almost go to deny it. "It's understandable and I'm not mad at you. Being in heat makes you do insane things with people that you would never touch usually. I know this because it's what happened with my brother, and he ended up dead because of it."

"Your brother?" I whisper.

Daegan looks down. "He went into heat when he was around Ziven's sister. I had no idea they even liked each other, but they spent the night together." He waits a second, like he doesn't have the words to describe the next part. "Ziven was furious about it, and he killed my brother over it all. He is evil, and any friendship between us died that day. There was war."

I cover my mouth. "Ziven just killed him?"

"Yes, brutally. He left his body torn up and a moon drawn in blood on his cheek." I can hear the pain in his voice. "Nine months later, Henrietta was born. I gather you haven't talked about her because Ziven told you not to, and I didn't ask in case he hurt you."

My shoulders drop. "You were protecting me?"

"I always have done since we met." He picks up my hand. "I really believe we have something special." I search his eyes, unsure how to feel about this new information. I never liked Ziven from the beginning, and I was scared of him at first, but then I thought maybe he was just misunderstood. Maybe he was good. Henrietta seems to love him. "It's part of our agreement that Henrietta stays there, and I don't go anywhere near her. It was the only way to stop the war and keep everyone safe."

"She's your niece. Isn't she?" I quietly ask. That's why she has his tanned skin, why her hair is so fair.

He tilts his lips up. "Yes."

I add everything up I know about him, about how he has no other blood relatives other than cousins who are distant cousins only in distant marriage. "Does that make her your heir, too? To the Sun Dynasty and the Moon Dynasty?"

He repeats the single word. "Yes."

I blink. "I'm surprised you let her live with him, with them, and not let her grow up knowing you."

Daegan pours two glasses of wine for us, spilling his before answering. "Ziven may not have the numbers, but the Moon Dynasty was extremely powerful once, especially their royal family. A war between me and Ziven, it killed hundreds of our people in only a few months. We nearly lost everything. I'm not sure who would survive us going to war again, but everyone in this place who we are responsible for would be casualties of our actions. We don't have a lot of people left, and we already have a war waiting for us outside this place with the vampyres. One of us had to be responsible. I told Ziven he could keep custody of her until she comes of age, and she can then spend time in both of the dynasties, under the terms of our laws, just like you are right now. She can make her own decisions then."

He put his people first and Ziven didn't? "That was good of you, to put your people first. Though it must be hard if she's your only family left."

He sighs, putting his glass down. "I don't know her. I've not even seen her since she was one. She does not come out of the apartments much. When she does, Ziven makes sure that I'm not around."

I have to give him something. "She's lovely and strong."

"I hear she looks like my brother. The blond hair was his." He picks up a strawberry, eating it whole. "I wanted to tell you all of this so you can make a knowledgeable decision about your loyalty. Ziven doesn't deserve your friendship. You don't need to feel awkward about what happened in there with him. It is truly forgotten. Let's eat together and move on from it and go on another date soon."

"Okay," I tell him. Though I know I'm being a complete coward, because I should tell him that it doesn't matter if we go on other dates. I'm just not sure that we should be more than friends, but I'm grateful he told me the truth about Ziven. I don't have it in me to start that argument right now when he brought me food and company.

Catherine is deep within the library, looking for a book that hasn't been pulled out in well over twenty years. She recommended I didn't come with her unless I wanted to be covered in dust. I happily opted out of that idea. I've been several rows in, and it's definitely dusty down there. "I'm going off to training in a bit. Calix invited me to learn how to use a bow and arrow," I explain. I'm still staying in Ziven's apartment at the moment, but he lets me come to the library now, although he hasn't really spoken to me since that night. Other than very sharp words. Move. Go. Eat. I'm pretty sure he hates me more now than ever.

Daegan's smile is charming. "I'll walk you to them." After we've finished our food and walk out, I find Mazzis is waiting for me with a single book in his hands this time.

He respectfully bows his head towards Daegan. "It's good to see you. I don't often find you in this library's walls."

"I missed my friend." Daegan snakes his hand around my waist, a possessive gesture. "And I brought her lunch."

Mazzis laughs. "I would tell you off about there being no food allowed in the library, but it's you." He looks at me. "Story, this book is truly memorable. I read this one over ten years ago, and I could never get it out of my head. It's addictive." He presses it into my hand. "It's a murder mystery."

"Thank you once again." I take the book and smile. I feel like I'm in the right place when I'm here. There are several authors that I've become absolutely addicted to from this immense library, and I've read everything that I could find by them. I've barely even scratched the surface of the books here. I'm still mostly living off Mazzis's recommendations, but he never gets it wrong. Ziven has left me several books on combat, and I enjoy reading those too. Why are there never enough hours in the day to read? Mazzis gives me an equal number of books on learning things I never knew and adventures to open my mind.

"Have a good day," Mazzis tells me with an easy smile.

I grin at my friend. Somehow, I tend to be good at making friends with the kings of the dynasties. "See you around, Mazzis." He inclines his head my way, and I do the same back to him. Daegan says his goodbyes before he is leading me out. "I'm not sure whether I should bow to him. I mean, he is a king, but it feels really…strange."

"You don't bow to any of the kings here," he laughs. "Don't change that now."

"Would you like me to bow to you?" I ask, actually curious. I look up at him.

"No, not you."

I smile softly at him. Why does it feel like we've been friends for a really long time? He might not like me anymore and demand I bow when I explain how I feel about this friendship becoming any more than it is. I think I just want to be alone right now, not have my head completely jammed by both the moon and the sun like it currently is. Ziven is bad news, and I have to stay away from him. He makes that easy by not talking to me.

I barely get two steps into the training room when Sterling steps right up into my space. Calix is a few steps behind her, rushing over. "Story, you turned up!"

"I know you usually do morning training, so why are you here?" Sterling doesn't waste a moment.

"Don't be rude," Calix interrupts, looking at her. "I invited her for training, and she is welcome?—"

"Not after what she did," Sterling all but screeches. "The king might like her, but I do not."

Oh, this is about Ziven? "I think you'll find Ziven doesn't like me."

Sterling crosses her arms. "I'm not training with this stupid bitch?—"

Daegan's hands glow like burning suns. "Stop."

She seems to just realise the Sun Dynasty king is here, and she pauses. Her eyes flicker to me. "You want to train? Then fine, you can train against me. Except it'll be a fight, and the only way one of us loses is passing out or tapping out. Three taps on the floor, and you better make sure I see you do them." She walks over to the massive mat in the centre of the room. "Come on."

Calix shakes his head. "No, no. Ziven's not here and?—"

"I'm sure the perfect stranger can make her own decisions." Sterling opens her arms, walking backwards.

"She's not fighting." Daegan's tone is final.

She laughs, looking me up and down. "Fine then. I'm demanding a challenge in the name of the Decidere."

"Fuck," Calix swears, rubbing his face. Even Daegan goes silent. Calix lowers his voice. "Participants in the Decidere cannot refuse a challenge issued by anyone else."

My mouth goes dry. "Please tell me you're kidding."

Daegan leans closer. "He's not. If she challenges you, she's challenging you for your place in the Decidere, for the marks on your hands and arms. If she wins, the marks will go to her, and she will take your place on Sunday. She has never been in the Decidere before, and it's a cheap way to get in."

"It's not something we practice. It's a cowardly move," Calix agrees, loud enough for the crowd that has circled around us and for Sterling to hear.

Sterling shrugs a shoulder. "On the mat. I'll wait for you."

She sneers at me before walking away. My hands are already sweaty. "Let me guess, she's a really good fighter."

Calix winces. "Yes. I'm going to go and get Ziven. Maybe he can stop her."

He runs off, leaving me alone with Daegan and most of the Moon Dynasty staring at us. He leans so close to my ear. "Say the word and I'll kill her."

"Daegan, don't," I quickly answer. I know that it'd be one hell of a fight, and it would hurt Ziven's people, what he's got left of them. I won't be the one to cause that, even if Ziven can't be trusted and we are nothing to each other anymore. "I'll be okay."

"No, you won't." He grabs my wrist, holding me in place, tight enough that he almost hurts me. "You can't die like this!"

He looks furious, and I cover his hand on my wrist. "Let me go, please." Daegan doesn't for a second, looking around like he wants to fight all of them, but he finally releases me with a frustrated blow of breath. He follows me over to the mat where Sterling is waiting.

I straighten my back and nod towards her. She cracks her knuckles. "I'm going to enjoy this. Did you really think you'd come into our dynasty, claim the king, and no one would be bothered by that?" Claim him? What the fuck is she talking about? "Do you not think he's promised to other people? He's our king!"

Some people clap from the crowd, and the back of my neck feels warm. I didn't claim anything or anyone, but I'm not arguing that with her. "Unless we're having a fight with words, perhaps we get on with it?"

I refuse to show that I'm absolutely terrified of fighting her, but she isn't the worst monster to ever hurt me. Nothing she could do could compare to the pain I've experienced in the past. A part of me doesn't want to lose the marks that I've earned in the Decidere, lose those dragons and my chance of being a dragon rider. I'm not sure if that's even something I want, but these marks, I earned them. She's not taking them from me.

Sterling goes straight for me. She doesn't waste time, and she's fast. I barely dodge out of her way, but she catches the side of my top, yanking me back and tearing at the side as she punches me straight in the throat. I gasp for air as I stumble away, just looking up in time as she comes straight at me with her boot. But I jump away, still gasping for air from the hit but managing to focus. She comes at me again, and that's when I notice the dagger in her hand. My eyes widen and I steer away to the other side of the mat. "Weapons weren't part of the challenge."

"Weapons are allowed in the challenge." She waves me over. "And it will make this over quick."

A dagger is pressed into my hand, and I turn back, seeing Etena. "Calix told me, and I ran here."

"I've not fought with daggers!" I whisper, never taking my eyes off Sterling.

"Here's a hint. Stab with the pointy end."

I can feel her rolling her eyes at me, but I don't have time to reply, as Sterling is on me. We start circling each other, Daegan shouting over the cheering. "Sterling, whatever you want, it is yours, just stop this."

Sterling huffs. "I want her blood on my hands. There's nothing you can offer me, Sun king. I'm not part of your dynasty."

"Where the fuck is Ziven?" Daegan roars. I try to block him out and focus on Sterling, knowing if I let my guard down, she is going to kill me. She doesn't want me to pass out, she wants me dead. She lashes for me, her dagger cutting straight across my thigh, but I quickly use my other hand as I ignore the pain, swinging out so my dagger cuts straight across her arm. She cries out as she reaches for my throat with her hand, but I dodge out of the way, her fingers slipping through my hair and yanking some of the locks with her. I wish I'd tied it back.

For a while, I manage to avoid her. I'm simply moving out of the way as quickly as possible, and after a few minutes, I think she's doing it on purpose to wear me out. I remember Ziven telling me that it's a good way to beat a fast enemy. To keep them fighting and eventually they will get tired. I might have speed on my side because she's quite tall, more muscular than I am, but I would have to eventually slow down.

I need to end this quickly, but I don't have the skills to beat her. Daegan's right, she is going to kill me. I can't beat her. Focus, Story. There has to be a way. Getting close to her means a very good chance of that dagger going through a part of my body. Not that I haven't had daggers stuck in me before and survived it. I barely even feel the pain from the cut pouring from my leg, and I certainly don't let it slow me down.

I feel the minute Ziven arrives. Sterling's eyes flicker over my head. "Stop her!" Daegan's demand echoes to me.

"It is a challenge," Ziven purrs. "So, no." The word rings out. He's not going to help me.

"I told you to fucking stop this madness. If she dies in there?—"

"I said no. I'm not helping her." Ziven's lethal voice is firm. Daegan goes quiet, and if he is talking, I can't hear him. I don't know why I expected Ziven to help me. Of course he wouldn't. Ziven has come to watch his enemy fail and die.

Sterling corners me, lashing out again with that sharp dagger of hers, and I barely block it, grabbing her wrist. I pull my knee up straight into her stomach, and she falls over with a scream. I quickly run away to the other side of the mat, getting my breath back.

Large warm fingers wrap around my waist, one fingertip dipping into the band of my trousers just barely. My heart races as Ziven's hot breath blows near my ear. "We both know you can win this, Storm. I trained you, and no one gets to hurt my enemy other than me. Get back in there and fight."

His hand slips away, along with him, and for some reason, those words give me strength. With that strength, I decide to attack her first, and she doesn't expect it. She blocks my dagger that I was aiming straight at her shoulder, but that was a distraction. I kick her other hand, knocking her dagger straight out, and it flies across the mat. Her eyes widen as I lift my fist and punch her straight in the face. My thumb cracks under the pressure, but a feeling of satisfaction powers me. I wrap my leg around hers, using the same move that I read about and practiced with Ziven, knocking her straight down. I jump on her, grabbing my dagger tightly in my grip and holding it straight above her heart. Her eyes widen as she looks up at me. "Where the fuck did you learn that?"

I lean down, breathless, but I can't help smiling. "Your king taught me. Tap out."

"You won't stab me!" she shouts back, anger burning in her eyes as bright as her cheeks.

"Really want to bet on that?" I ask, knowing she might be right. The Story who walked in here by accident months ago wouldn't have dared to do it, to hurt anyone. But I'm not her anymore. I chose to live; I chose to have a life, and I'm not backing down. "You tried to steal everything I earned and risked my life for." I push the dagger slightly into her skin. "I have been used and abused for most of my fucking life. I have never had someone stand behind me, train me, and tell me I can do this. Do you think there is even a second of doubt that I won't push this into you to save myself? Because I will." I make sure to look her in the eye. "Because I've done everything possible to save myself and decide I want to live. That isn't changing because of you."

Whatever she sees in my eyes makes her tap the floor three times, and I climb off her. Cheers echo around, and I glance over as Ziven steps to my side, taking the dagger from my hand. He flings it and it flies across the room, straight into Sterling's shoulder. She screams, falling to the ground. The cheers go silent. "Next time anyone makes a challenge against her, that will be just the start of what will happen to you."

He walks away without another word, leaving everyone staring at me, including Daegan. Daegan walks away without saying anything, but the look of disappointment in his eyes is not going to be easy to forget.