‘When the bell tolls, pull out.’

They nodded, accepting whatever came next. And as they shook hands firmly, they stared at each other, Kaian with concern and Sapphire with fear. Neither wanted this.

‘Sapphire, if you don’t breathe, you’ll never stand a chance,’ Kaian whispered under his breath, his hand tightening around hers.

As their hands dropped, Sapphire watched his eyes wander over to his parents – as always, there was an unpleasant look on their faces. When he returned his gaze to her, he had hardened, and she softened for him. A boy controlled by monsters.

‘Good luck, Canmore. You’ll need it.’

‘I don’t believe in luck.’

He blinked a few times, making an effort to hide a smile.

Her hands shook and her mind turned foggy as she drew her gaze back to Araxia, who awaited her in the corner. Doubt flooded her very being.

Fraud.

Illegitimate.

Undeserving.

She bit her tongue, tasting blood, until she had pushed the poison from her mind.

You are ready. Trained.

Royal blood. Magic blood. Waterborn.

You belong.

You will not fail. You will not fall.

She repeated the mantra in her head over and over until she saw the flag lifted into the air. The duel had begun.

Sapphire got in the first move. It started as a simple game of back and forth – each using more defensive than offensive tactics. Kaian wrapped ivy around her leg, pulling her feet out from under her. Sapphire replied with a water cannon that knocked him into the nearby wall.

She looked around the arena, finding the gazes of those who doubted her. She looked at Evera, begging for answers her friend did not have. She couldn’t find Kip, but she never struggled to find Sadara and Tyden. They were always watching her closely, smirks on their faces.

Another vine wrapped around her waist, pulling her to the ground, hard, and she yelped as her elbow met stone.

She was losing in front of everyone.

The flag was raised once more, signalling that it was time for the break before the third round, but Sapphire remained on the ground, unable to find the energy to push herself up. She heard footsteps and looked up to meet Araxia’s eyes. The queen extended her hand, and Sapphire took it with gratitude.

She bowed her head, not in prayer, but in total exhaustion.

They were headed into the final round, and she was three points behind. The judges tended to lean towards his swift and easy movements versus her jarring and stilted returns, and she wondered if just stepping out would look better. She could fake an illness or an injury.

She could.

But the world would know. And if they didn’t, they’d assume.

She scanned the crowd once more, but her vision was blurred.

To hold back only disgraces the power in your veins.