Balam: Virgo the Pure (Trials of the Zodiac Book 2)

OF BLOOD AND FLOWERS

ZAKHAR

I observed the unfolding scene in awe as Balam confronted Queen Sigrid. Even from afar, I could smell the rot of demon blood. It coated the Queen's blade, and the trolls, whom Sebastian summoned, had clubs dripping with the gunk. The creatures looked brutal, their skin gray and dry with cracked and rotted tusks. They smelled like garbage trucks and were almost as tall as me.

Priest Alvis touched my leg before escorting the zodiacs and generals out of sight. I kept an eye on Balam, who struck with speed and precision. The Queen was no push-over, deftly slashing, maneuvering, and blocking his attacks. A grandmother of mine had written that the Helgrid line of royals were fierce fighters. Sigrid probably knew how to wield a blade before she could walk.

A roaring crash reverberated through the battleground with every collision of their blades. Adrenaline surged through my veins as I witnessed Balam becoming a force of nature. His every move was deliberate and, at the same time, managed to be wild. Balam was a warrior unlike any I had ever seen. Even with the siphoning curse slowing him down, he was deadly.

My attention, however, was divided as fire giants and trolls closed in. The soldiers I watched in the field marched closer, hollering battle chants. I stared down at a fire giant with a hammer charging in my direction. He launched at me, and I let my anger surge forth. In one punch, I caved his skull in.

Ballista whirred to life, soldiers aiming them at unseen dangers. I yelled for the battalion of soldiers that guarded our capital to protect the few civilians in the area and to keep our enemies from getting further into the kingdom. I glanced back at Balam, who created a tree from nothing. It was enormous, more massive than the ones in the forest we had entered this world, though. The trunk crashed through the gates, plugging it closed.

A troll approached with her club held high. I dodged the attack and kicked the giant away. I felt my rage swelling, then slowly ebbing back into me. Balam was the cause for that, his magic, keeping my feelings in check through our new connection.

The soldiers clashed with fiery giants who hurled scorching flames our way. In their ranks were dwarves that had arrived at night, clad in thick armor. They used earth magic to deflect the fire. The searing heat still bore upon us, sweat trickling down my brow as I maintained my focus on foes who came at me only to be knocked back.

I was stronger than usual. It had to be because of the bond; even my movements were quicker. We had not had the time to explore our new bond, with less than a day passing since we were tied together. Priest Alvis tried to inform us of the changes, but we were too focused on consummating our marriage.

I couldn't help but glance back at the epic confrontation between Balam and Queen Sigrid. Each stroke of his scythe seemed to dance with the wind as though he had become one with the very essence of nature itself. Clad in ebony wyvern armor, Queen Sigrid was a formidable opponent, but Balam had the advantage of agility. She was strong but couldn't keep up with his movements. Balam feigned an attack aimed at her chest only to slice downward and cut a gash into her leg. Queen Sigrid screamed, flames shooting from her mouth like a dragon.

I turned back to the battlefield and jumped into action, attacking a trio of trolls cornering a dwarf. While pushing them away, I caught sight of the scout who had escorted us to the gates. He targeted Sebastian, who had been watching the battle, eyes not on the boy. The scout aimed an arrow at the goblin, who caught it without turning his head. Sebastian threw the arrow back from where it came, using a strength I had never seen him possess. The arrowhead went through the scout's chest armor like a hot knife through butter, and the boy dropped to the floor.

Anger swelled, and I grabbed a chunk of debris and launched it at Sebastian. He flipped out of the way, laughing like a hyena. The stone crashed into the tree, scattering splinters in the air. I turned back to the trolls and killed them unceremoniously.