Threads of Fate

Chapter 54 ~ To Be a Sacrifice

    Tissaia gulped down ragged breaths as she staggered away from her father, one arm wrapped around her side where he had managed to cut her deeply. That wasn't the only wound she had suffered, but she'd inflicted several of her own as well, and couldn't stop her grin of satisfaction when her father limped towards her, blood dripping down his leg.

    "Maybe I should've had you trained by the Mountain Fae as well," he laughed around a haggard breath.

    "Why didn't you?" Tissaia retorted. "Because I'm a female?"

    "Because I knew you'd plunge a blade into my back sooner than your brother."

    She gave a snide laugh. "Don't underestimate him, Father. It would be the last mistake you'll ever make."

    Roshan circled her slowly and Tissaia kept one eye on him while also trying to track his warriors that were steadily closing in on them. So far, her father had kept their fight contained between the two of them, but it wouldn't be long until he tired of their game and ordered the warriors to finish the job.

    "You two are alike in many ways," Roshan said, his voice surprisingly quiet. Almost admiring, if she didn't know better. "And while your brother might be sharp-witted and ruthless, I believe it is you who is more cunning."

    "Flattery isn't going to save you."

    "Nor will arrogance save you, Daughter. But I'll offer you this last confession before I take your life. Instead of sending a porcelain pawn to the Prince's bed, perhaps I should've sent a lovely murderess."

    Tissaia angled her blade level with her father's neck, her eyes narrowing. "I never would've let you harm Azael, and I certainly wouldn't have done it myself."

    "No? Has so much changed since you left Arcan?"

    She only shrugged. "You'd be surprised how much knowledge and confidence a person can gain when they're no longer forced to live in fear of their oppressor."

    Roshan laughed once more. "Well, let that be your last comfort in life then."

    Tissaia sidestepped as he rushed at her, but he rounded almost before she could react. Their blades locked and a frightened gasp burst from her lips. She refused to balk further and darted her foot behind her father's ankle, jerking him off balance.

    Roshan stumbled, but his blade lashed out and Tissaia spun too slow to avoid the blow. Stinging pain lanced her arm and blood spilled onto the ground. She managed to keep hold of her dagger and threw herself at her father with a furious roar. She hammered blows onto her father's sword and snuck in bursts of magic when she could find an opening in his shields.

    Sweat beaded on her father's brow but he refused to buckle. Tissaia gritted her teeth, throwing all her pent up rage and hatred into every stroke of her brother's dagger. He would not win today. He would not walk out of here alive. She would live in fear of him no longer! Roshan's gaze flickered to his nearest warrior.

    Tissaia doubled back and rolled as the warrior flung a flaming ball of magic at her face. She threw a new shield around herself just in time. The rest of the warriors had taken their cue and were pelting her with magic as well. The unnatural shadows still whipped around their limbs, almost strengthening their blows somehow.

    Tissaia lifted both of her hands over her head, feeding all her strength into maintaining her shield. The warriors pressed in around her, but she could only see her father's face, staring down with a cold glee.

    "You put up a good fight, Daughter," he said. "But I have a job to do, and you have wasted enough of my time." He raised his sword and struck at her shield.