Candidate

You, you are a cockroach. No matter how many times we tried to get rid of you, you kept finding a way to scuttle your way back. And as much as I don’t like you, well, you are persistent. And even I can admire you that.

Perhaps the gods will surprise us and it will be neither.” “A true tragedy.” “Of epic proportions.” “Two longstanding rivals.” “And only one robe to bear.” “Who will win?” Darren’s tone was wry. “The handsome prince?” I grinned. “Or his valiant betrothed?

Darren wasn’t darkness, and I wasn’t his light. I needed to show him he was fire. My fire. Something filled with light. Something good. Something just like my but wrapped up so tightly in his own barrier of darkness it could burn. Unless you knew how to unravel him. Pressing my lips to his I shut my eyes and channelled my one single promise. I will never give up on you.

That’s the thing about enemies. You never know who they could end up being.

And they told me to keep watch over a ‘lady.’” I couldn’t help but smirk. A lady. I lunged and defeated her guard. I was a war mage.

Because a person couldn't ever be good and evil at once. Little girl, don't you know? The world is made up of shades of grey.

The truth is told in anger, not regret, love.

Darren wasn’t darkness, and I wasn’t his light.

Do you know the difference between a nation of merchants and a nation of warriors?” I followed through without waiting for a reply. “Only one of them is prepared to fall on its blade. King Horrace might promise you the world but in the end you will reap the greater loss.

Loyalty is never built upon honor, brother. It is built upon blood.

Isn't the best bit of truth always woven in with a lie?

People make mistakes all the time –some of us just are in more of a position to leave an impact when we do.” Impact. Influence. Somehow along the way I had joined the circle of people whose actions dictated change, and it scared me how easy it would be to make the wrong one.

They are brothers,” Benny repeated softly. “That is a bond you cannot break.

Our history told of kings that smiled and kings that conquered. He was the latter.

Cheer is for fools with idle minds. I am neither a fool nor idle.

I had trained my whole life as a warrior. But in that moment I was the damsel-in-distress.

Because wrapped up in conceit the size of Jerar was my Darren. Somewhere. Deep, deep down. And that part I loved. With every bit of my being. I just vehemently hated the rest.

So, what do you think? Better than four years with Byron?” “Are you kidding?” I kept a straight face. “Those were the best days of life.

People make mistakes all the time—some of us are just in more of a position to leave an impact when we do.

In short, your grace, we’ll lose the war. Without Pythus we’ll lose, but we won’t be the only ones losing.” Now. The final threat. “Because we’ll also light our fields on fire. We’ll destroy every last inch of our lands. We’ll do this so that when the Caltothians acquire their victory with you by their side, there will be nothing left to take.” My words grew bolder. “Do you know the difference between a nation of merchants and a nation of warriors?” I followed through without waiting for a reply. “Only one of them is prepared to fall on its blade. King Horrace might promise you the world, but in the end, you will reap the greater loss.

Darren gave me a pitying look. “Believe me, Ryiah, a man can carry the sentiment a lot longer than that.

That's the thins about enemies. You never know who they could end up being.