𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐜𝐮𝐫𝐬𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐞 | ✎

viii.

Training began the next day. With only two full training days prior to the start of the first Trial, I used every waking hour bent over textbooks or sparring in the ring.

Helion walked up to me when I happened to be doing the latter, a smile on his face. "Aren't you tired yet?"

"Rest is for the weak," I spat, throwing another dagger square in the bullseye of the target.

Helion's brows raised as he assessed me, folding his arms across his chest. "Whatever you say, Seren. I just wanted to invite you to join a small competition we're doing."

Despite myself, my interest piqued. "Competition?"

The Sun prince laughed, because he knew my weaknesses. "Yes. A bracket, if you will. Just some friendly games."

I threw one last dagger for good measure, hitting the bullseye once again. "Sure. Give me a second. I'll be there soon."

He nodded, satisfied, before walking across the room to the others and giving them a thumbs-up. I rolled my eyes as they cheered, and walked over to the target to sheathe my dagger and put the others back on the weapons table.

I walked over just as Helion began enthusiastically giving instructions.

"Here's the bracket. Seren will begin by facing Darian. Astera will go against Orion, Brynn against Killian, and I'll go against Caelia. The winners of each round will fight each other, until we have one winner. Any use of weapons is allowed — whether that be metal or magic. Understood?"

"Understood," we chorused.

"Amazing. Seren, Darian, do you want to begin?"

I unsheathed Starsever and smiled wickedly at the heir of my rival clime. "Why not? Might as well taste my victory sooner."

Darian's eyes narrowed as he took out his sword, its blade onyx and glowing a hazy black. We squared up against each other on the sparring mat, circling like sharks. "Confident, are we?"

"Give me a reason not to be," I challenged, then lunged.

It was clash after clash of swords. Darian was strong, I'd give him that, but he wasn't as skilled of a fighter. He underestimated my speed and agility, and I used it to my advantage. It wasn't until he disappeared in front of me with a smile and appeared at my back, sword at my throat, that I realized that this wasn't going to be simply a duel of metal.

With a growl, I threw my elbow into his stomach with enough force to back him away from me, then watched as he disappeared before I could land another blow.

I spun around the training mat until I found him charging at me. I met his sword with my own, our clash landing just above my head. We held the position, eyes locked, before I poured all my strength into a thrust that sent him back a few steps. Before he could teleport through another shadow, I cast my power across the training mat, blocking every shadow from sight. He glared at me when he realized, fists turning white against his grip on his sword.