CHAPTER TWENTY ONE
Ceres stood there watching as her brother made his break for freedom. She felt relief in that moment, and something more. She felt triumph. It was a small victory over Stephania, and there was at least one more that she could gain.
She threw down her blunted excuses for swords, turning her back on the combatlords Stephania had sent into the training pit. “I’m not going to play your games anymore, Stephania. I won’t fight for your amusement.”
She heard the crowd of nobles boo then, as if this were really the Stade. As if she were being a coward by not taking part.
“Then your rebels will die with every strike the combatlords land,” Stephania said. She gestured to the waiting combatlords, and Ceres braced herself for the strikes they would land.
They didn’t move.
“Fig
