Chapter 46

Reign

"Have you discovered anything more about the girl?" Headmaster Draven lifted a silver brow as he moved beside me beneath the shade of the canopy.

It seemed as if the entire academy had gathered along the Luminoc River for today's trial. Everyone wanted to catch a glimpse of the magicless Kin female who'd managed to destroy the work of the university's elite professors with nothing but a twitch of her fingers.

Draven had been on my ass for days. It was only by the grace of Noxus that I hadn't siphoned the life out of the overbearing male. But he was essential to the plan. If it weren't for him, I would never have found myself at this prestigious university. So, I forced myself to suffer through his endless tirades.

"Nothing more than I've already shared," I gritted out.

I was beginning to believe I wasn't the only one keeping secrets on this campus. The interest that Draven held for the girl was far more than common curiosity. He'd been adamant I tail her from the moment she arrived.

It had to be the prophecy. Father wasn't the only Fae with access to the divine seers, and as the headmaster of the academy which provided King Elian with his army, Draven must have had some inside knowledge typically shared only with a select few.

But I couldn't merely mention the ancient foretelling without giving myself away, or at least provoking suspicion.

"Why are you so concerned with the girl anyway?" I murmured as the space beneath the canopy grew tight with warm bodies. It was nearly time for the Dusk and Dawn Duel to begin. "Even before her performance the other day, you were wary of her. Why?"

The headmaster's pale ivy eyes narrowed as he regarded me. "That is none of your concern."

"I believe it is my concern when it affects me directly." Tugging back my sleeve, I flashed him my silver cuff and the ancient glyphs sparkled beneath the sunlight. "If I knew what it was about the girl you were trying to discover, I could perform my job more effectively." And finally get these damned manacles off for good.

"True enough, but?—"

"I've been faithful to you for years, Draven. Whatever secret it is you are attempting to keep from the blessed light of day, I am more than capable of sharing its burden."

His lips twisted, the silver mustache dancing along the top of his mouth like an angry katerpillar. "It is not my secret to share. I've been tasked by the king. That alone should be sufficient explanation, Darkthorn. Now, do as you're told and keep an eye on the girl. I want you at her side at all times, now more than ever."

"As I have been. I cannot very well sleep with the girl—" Noxus's balls what is the matter with my tongue?

He stroked his long beard as he gazed over the rippling waves of the Luminoc River. The first-years filled the western bank, preparing to begin. The duel would be fought across the narrowest point of the river where a luminous bridge constructed of limestone and pure light had been created for the event. The contestants would be forced to battle with one half bathed in eternal daylight and the other in perpetual darkness.

I'd already forbidden Aelia from using her rais for this event, but I couldn't help but wonder what effect the smattering of nox would have on her powers.

"Perhaps you cannot sleep with the girl, as that sort of thing is expressly forbidden in the code of conduct, but maybe you could sleep beside her, as a guard of sorts."

"A guard?" My tone hitched a few notches.

"Yes, for her safety. Didn't you say there had been a few incidents with other students?"

There had been before I threatened them within an inch of their lives if they ever so much as gazed in Aelia's direction. "It's been under control," I replied.

"Then perhaps a situation should occur… one in which she's frightened into submission." A nasty gleam sparked within the dull green of his eyes.

"You want me to orchestrate an attack?"

"I'm simply asking you not to come to her rescue should one of the other first-years go too far."

Anger pulsed through my veins, clouding my vision.

"Can you do that, Darkthorn?" Draven's voice dribbled through the roar of my pounding pulse.

I forced my head to dip despite the fury flooding my veins. I would never let any of those sniveling first-years touch her. I'd simply have to find another way to convince Aelia that my sleeping in her chambers was for the best.

Which it clearly was not. Mostly for my sanity.

A shrill buzzer rang out, screeching through my thoughts. Professor Litehaus appeared at the foot of the river and pushed his spectacles up his aquiline nose. "Welcome, first-years, to the Dusk and Dawn Duel. In today's trial, combatants must harness the strengths of their respective powers while exploiting the weaknesses of their opponents, adapting their strategies as the bridge slowly rotates, changing the distribution of light and shadow."

Turning my attention away from Draven, I scanned the bank for Aelia. My eyes latched onto her familiar form in seconds, like a magnetic field drawing me within her orbit. Splaying my fingers, I released one of my shadows. As always, it shot straight to its mark, whirling and winding around Aelia's neck, then up to the shell of that tempting rounded ear.

"No rais today, princess. Understood?" I threw my voice into my shadows.

She glared up at me from across the lawn, but her head dipped all the same.

"Our first competitors today will be Lucian Brightcastle and Aelia Ravenwood."

I hissed out a breath, every muscle in my body tightening. How in all the realms did she manage to draw him? Not only did the male despise her, but he was also one of the most skilled with a broadsword.

With my gaze still pinned to Aelia's, I offered what I hoped was a reassuring smile. Something I wasn't entirely certain I could pull off. Again, she nodded, but her apprehension was so potent I could practically scent it from here.

Aelia climbed to the pinnacle of the gleaming bridge that spanned an abyss of swirling mist, splitting the battleground between radiant daylight and deep, impenetrable shadow. She whirled around to face Lucian, broadsword held high. The arrogant Light Fae flashed a cocky smile. I swear to the gods, I will use my shadows to tear that male limb from limb if he hurts her. The bridge, a narrow ribbon of stone bathed in light, trembled slightly as the structure began its slow, inexorable rotation.

"Competitors you have five minutes to best your opponents or the trial will end in a draw. You may begin when the bell tolls."

I leaned over the railing that separated us from the Luminoc, my gaze intent on the impending battle. The bell rang out and silence descended over the crowd.

Aelia, light on her feet and eyes aglow with fierce determination, thrust her broadsword at Lucian. His smile melted away and his sharp features hardened with the resolve of an experienced warrior. As they circled each other, the light and shadows shifted with every rotation. Lucian used his large form to push Aelia into the shadows, where he must have assumed her light-based powers would wane.

Only I wasn't entirely certain that would be the case.

Lucian struck first, a blaze of light bursting from his fingertips, aiming to blind Aelia. She ducked low, the light grazing just above her head, and she countered with a sweeping kick directed at his legs. Lucian jumped back, landing partly in shadow, and his powers dimmed. Aelia seized the advantage, her own powers amplified by the brilliant daylight enveloping her and thrust her sword. She grazed his arm with her gleaming blade and earned a hiss from the male.

Lucian attempted to draw Aelia into the darkness once again. He feinted left and then surged right, deeper into the shadow, clearly hoping she would follow.

And she did. Each arc of her sword grew more brazen as if fueled by the night.

Her moves were mesmerizing, the grace and effortless ease with which she fought were pure poetry. Lucian grew sloppy and desperate, each thrust a wasted effort of brute strength.

As Lucian"s steps faltered in the lesser light, his attacks lost more of their potency. Aelia, meanwhile, seemed to only strengthen with each shift of the shadows. As the Fae male lunged out of desperation, she easily sidestepped, and he nearly barreled over the railing. He spun around and snarled, pressing his palms together. A flare of light lit up his hands. Splaying his fingers, the radiant glow forced Aelia to shield her eyes from the blinding display.

No…

With her arm over her eyes, Lucian pressed his advantage. He lunged with his broadsword and my heart catapulted against my ribs.

"Aelia, move!" I hissed into my shadows, and my voice met their mark. She parried just in time, avoiding the brunt of the blow. She glanced down at her torn sleeve and blood trickled from her upper arm. Rage coursed through my body at the sight of the deep crimson, raging down to the depths of my dark soul.

My shadows vibrated with fury, writhing around me, desperate to be released. I drew in a deep breath, calming the beast below the surface as Aelia's eyes met mine. She was okay. The cut must not have been deep.

The battle continued, silver streaks of metal blurring the air. She thrust and parried again and again, until both competitors seemed utterly drained. Gods, when would the timer expire? Lucian leapt at Aelia, cornering her against the stone railing. She feinted left then right, but he mirrored her every move. He arced his sword over his head and brought it down with a lethal swoosh. "Watch out!" the shout burst from my lips before I could stop it. A radiant shield bloomed around her form and Lucian's blade bounced right off the protective barrier, mere inches from her neck.

Thank, Noxus. So much for not using her rais.

The shield disintegrated, and she pressed forward, Lucian staggering back along the bridge. Now bathed in shadows, he faltered again, the flicker of light in his palm fizzling away. Aelia arced her sword and dazzling light swept across the blade.

No, rais!

The burst of light slammed into Lucian, his eyes snapping shut from the intensity of the glare. Aelia didn't hesitate. With a graceful leap, she devoured the space between them, spun her sword around and jabbed the hilt into his chest. He hit the railing and flailed, and Aelia moved in, landing a firm push against Lucian's chest. The Fae stumbled backward over the balustrade and into the icy depths of the Luminoc.