ound has been transformed into an elaborate stadium. Bleachers rise toward the sky, and on each corner post, silver and blue flags flap in the breeze. In the center, knights gather to face off against one another as the crowd cheers.
Sebastian has given us a useful distraction. He’ll be preoccupied with the tourneys, and Hart will be planning his son’s initiation into his world of delusion. With so much going on, it should be easy to find time to myself to train extra throughout the day. Even if Devlan can’t be with me, I can sneak to the meadow to practice, knowing that Sebastian can’t follow.
I breathe a little easier as I weave my way through the crowd to find my seat. Xander points around my shoulder toward a boxed-in area high in the stands. The place where royalty and nobility are to be seated. As King Hart never leaves his secret chamber, Sebastian and I will be the only royals there.
Glancing around, I search for Hadley. Sebastian has denied my every attempt to invite her to the castle. He believes I should embrace my new friends—the Court ladies—and involve myself among them. Regardless, I still need to send word to Hadley somehow. Devlan feels we’ll have enough time once Hart is removed, and then I should be able to convince Sebastian to allow her into Court.
Until that time, I must play by the rules. Sebastian can’t suspect anything out of the norm. Our mission must come first.
I can’t spot my best friend anywhere, and I shake my head. Soon, I tell myself. After the mission is complete, I will find her.
As I reach the box, I look down the row for Sebastian, but he’s not here yet. I spot Cecily seated on the end and quickly plant myself in the first seat, farthest away from her. I’m strung too tight and, though I’m saddened by her situation, will snap at her if she tries to vex me. I’m in no mood to play her games.
Xander sits down next to me and I scrunch my brow. Where’s Sebastian?
The announcer below addresses the crowd, drawing my attention. He introduces the first contest as the melee. I remember Devlan saying it was the only one he’s entered.
The speaker continues. “The winner of this battle will face off with Sir Devlan Capra, last season’s champion, in the tourney’s last battle, to claim the title of reigning champion over the tournament!” The crowd cheers. My eyes sweep the stands for Sebastian again. I’m lost as to why he’s missing out on what he’s worked so hard for.
The announcer waves a white flag and the knights on the field clash, a metallic clanking of swords and armor. At first, they cluster into groups, teaming up and fighting against other groups of knights. The clang of weapons echoes throughout the stadium, and the sun glints off armor as the knights cleave the air with their swords.
No one has been injured so far. I recall Devlan running my finger along the blade, and explaining that the knights use dull swords in the tournament. Kill shots are determined by the regulators along the sidelines. I have to admit, after learning the sword and fighting tactics, the sport has my heart pounding. I’m invested in seeing who comes out the winner—who will take on Devlan in the last match.
The melee ground is frantic. The knights make instant judgments regarding companion and enemy, quickly taking out team after team. There can be only one knight left standing. Sooner than I expect, the field thins, and the members of the group that’s winning begin turning on each other. The knights dwindle from fifty to five. It’s now every knight for himself.
Xander points toward something on the field. I lean forward and squint. “The knight with the darkest armor,” he says. “Do you see him?”
I strain harder. “Yes, I see him.” The knight is teamed up with the odd man out, and together they take on another knight. “He’s good.” I look at Xander.
His brows rise as he nods toward the field. “That’s Sebastian.”
My head snaps back to the battle. “He said he only enters the joust. What is he doing fighting his knights?”
“He has something to prove.” Devlan’s voice comes from behind me.
My stomach flutters, but I keep my head forward, my eyes trained on the knights. “To me or to you?”
Devlan’s quiet a moment before he says, “Both, probably.” Then, as the stadium erupts with cheers, he leans down close to my ear. “See you tonight. Don’t be late.”
As he leaves, I can’t help the smile that tugs at the corner of my mouth. The thought of training with him fills me with renewed purpose for my mission.
Before parting ways with Fallon and Silas the night before, we went over our plan of attack for once I get inside Hart’s secret chamber. We’d discussed it vaguely the first time I was taken into the Rebel camp, but my mind had been too hammered by new information to process the task completely. With time against us, I’ll need to know each step of my mission as if it’s second nature.
After Fallon gave us the vial of clear liquid, she admitted her fondness for poisons, saying a woman should never have to engage in an altercation if she can easily rid herself of her foe. I like her way of thinking. I believe, if we all survive this in the end, Fallon and I could be friends.
I truly hope we survive.
The poison—sleeping potion—is for Sebastian. He’ll go down shortly after we enter the king’s chamber. Then the Rebels, who will have tracked me through a chip in my communicator, will handle the guards outside the secret room while I take out Hart.
I’ll then find the Excalibur mainframe, and if I can discover the antidote at the same time, I’ll swipe a sample so the Rebels can study it and develop more. After I’ve completed my tasks, I’ll lie next to Sebastian and “come to” with him, feigning that we both passed out.
Then it’s on to the next step—convincing Sebastian to join forces with the Rebels.
All this presses down on me, and I’m even more anxious to train with Devlan—to have him reassure me that I’m ready. My hands slick with sweat and my stomach tingles at the thought of seeing him.
The crowd hisses, and my attention is drawn back to the battle as Sebastian takes a hard hit across his chest. I hold my breath. He’s kneeling, not completely taken out of the tourney, but the knight who delivered the blow now raises his sword to finish him with a kill shot.
I search the field. They are the only ones left. One of them will be the victor.