Without even taking a moment to think, I heeded her warning and dashed in his direction. My hand rested on my sword, but I wasn’t at all sure if I needed it.Had Elle seen something?Killian watched me with a puzzled glare, and in the blink of an eye, I felt my heart stutter as I watched the terrifying scene unfold.
Father’s pale hand had been resting only inches from the small blade he had pulled from his hip earlier. My eyes locked onto the king’s slow movements as he latched his grip around the blade. With his last ounce of strength, the king pushed himself up and thrust the weapon at his second son’s heart.
Killian’s focus was too distracted by my racing approach to do anything other than gape at the flicker of steel. My steps felt deafeningly slow as they clicked across the black floors. Father’s dark eyes met mine from the side of his glare as his blade pricked the front of Killian’s vest. With a single breath, I raised my sword and struck my father with a swift, silent blow.
The blade dropped limply from his fingers and clattered to the ground, as the once mighty king fell lifelessly to the floor. My adrenaline faded as I felt the weight of my actions seep heavily into my mind. My fingers went cold and stiff around the icy hilt of my sword. In slow, stuttered movements, I turned my gaze back toward Elle.
Her hand clawed at the dark blue fabric that covered her throbbing heart. “Miron...” she squeaked breathlessly. “My vision... You just killed a man of royal blood.”
My mind went blank as I rose shakily to my feet. Killian stood behind me, bracing me by the arms as I wobbled in an undignified manner. “I did...” I breathed, mystified. “That’s why the door opened... This means...”
Elle’s sweet face blossomed into a brilliant smile. “You don’t have to sacrifice your life!” Tears flooded her vibrant eyes as she dashed over to me.
My heart soared as I flew across the polished floors to meet her halfway and wrapped my arms around her waist as she melted into me.Her vision has been fulfilled. Maybe that means I can actually—
“Miron, watch out!” Killian shouted as he drew his blade.
I flipped around and clashed swords with Conan only a second before it was too late.What am I doing? I can’t get distracted now.Conan’s eyes glinted venomously as he pressed down harder into my parry. My knees began to buckle under his strength, and I felt my arm begin to shake.Since when did he get so strong?
“Impressed, little brother?” Conan cackled slyly. “This magic truly has some fascinating uses. Perhaps you would like a full demonstration?”
I clenched my teeth as I tried to press harder against his blade. A wave of doubt flashed through me as I recognized how little strain he was enduring.He has too much power.
“Dodge, right!” Elle commanded behind me.
My feet moved on instinct at her bold tone, and I rolled to the right just as Conan stepped out with his opposite foot to slash his sword. He muttered a curse under his breath and attempted to charge me again, but Killian slipped in front of his path. I looked back at Elle and noticed her eyes were radiating with magic.
“Killian, swing left! Now roll! He’s going to switch hands, step back in three seconds!” With every instruction she rattled off, Killian obeyed with flawless execution. Conan’s speed, strength, and reaction times were almost inhuman, but with Elle’s visions predicting his every move and Killian’s quick thinking, neither of them could land a single hit.
“Will you shut up!?” Conan roared wildly as he sloppily thrust his sword back at Killian.
Killian dodged his attack with ease, but it was becoming terrifyingly clear that he was beginning to tire out. I stepped forward to assist Killian, but then remembered that Killian was only holding his own because Elle was being amplified by my magic. I couldn’t leave her side, and I didn’t dare drag her into battle. Conan didn’t appear tired at all; in fact, he almost seemed to move faster as different sections of his woven sash began to illuminate from their usage.
Elle’s face paled. “Killian, look o—” She gasped as Conan landed a hard blow on Killian’s head.
My chest tightened as I watched him fall to the ground unconscious with a pained yell. “Killian!” I dragged Elle with me as I tried to race to my brother’s defense, but Conan blocked my path with a devious flick of his sword.
I skidded to a stop and stared at the scene before me. Elle’s fingers clawed into my skin with a silent plea. “Miron...” she whispered desperately. “This is it... please—”
She didn’t finish, but I knew what she was going to ask. My gaze drifted over to my motionless brother, and I felt a pang of duty squeeze my heart. If I didn’t protect Killian, Conan would kill him. My thoughts drifted toward all the times I had tormented my brother, and the amount of difficulty I had added to his life. I thought of his bravery, and his courage to give up his claim to the throne in his pursuit of justice and love. Nixie’s kind smile drifted into my mind and I knew I couldn’t leave her husband to die.
I turned back at Elle with sorrowful, yet determined eyes. Her grievous expression poured every ounce of affection and longing into me that I could possibly comprehend. I touched my hand to her soft cheek, and she held it there as a tear slid down her flawless olive skin. With gentle movements, I pulled her face to mine and swept her into a sweet kiss before pulling back to rest my forehead against hers. “I love you, Elle. Go watch another sunset for me, okay?”
My hand slipped from hers and I turned to face my murderer with my sword raised high.
chapter twenty-six
Miron...
I watched numbly as the brave prince raised his sword to clash against his brother’s. My heart seized violently as the vision I had spent so many days desperately trying to block out of my mind replay before my very eyes. The jeweled-tone windows scattered fragments of red, purple, and blue light across the reflective black floors. The two brothers matched swords only a few meager paces in front of the ominous obsidian throne that looked more like an omen of death than a symbol of royalty.
Everything matched perfectly. Conan’s overpowering strength pressed down on Miron, bringing him down to one knee. Tears slid from my eyes as I recognized the fateful moment before the death of my only love.
Miron is looking at someone, but it’s blurry.
The sweet prince cast his misted eyes over to me with a fearless smile.
He hears a loud call, but the words are muffled in his mind.