Book 3: Interlude XVII: The Scorpion’s Shadow
Interlude XVII: The Scorpion’s Shadow
“They seem to be holding up well,” Empress Alexandra observed cooly as her long black nails clicked rhythmically against the volcanic black arm of her chair. “Don’t they—” she paused to glance over her shoulder at the silent but clearly displeased Duke Zenon, “—Imperatoris?”
Emperor Arius smirked as he tapped a golden scorpion ring against his empty wine glass. Lady Saaru Zenon quickly stepped forward to refill his cup while the Witch Emperor continued to watch his son battle between life and death. Arius grimaced as Tristan caught the edge of Jett’s scythe against the back of his armor while protecting Lady Isleen Tyrell from the two overly ambitious sons of the Burning Viper Coven. “I thought enchantments weren’t allowed inside the arena, Duke Zenaku.”
“Imperatoris?” Duke Zeke Zenaku frowned in confusion as he peered between the Emperor and Empress’s seats to watch the battle. “I’m afraid I don’t follow. Are you suggesting that my sons are breaking the rules?”
“I wonder,” Arius replied with the ghost of a smile before taking a drink. “I couldn’t help but notice in the previous fights that my son has taken on nine challengers while your sons have only set foot in the arena five times, and two of those matches ended prematurely when their opponents forfeited.”
“Surely, for the son of the Emperor, such a slight imbalance should be easy enough to overcome,” Alexandra murmured cynically as she gestured for Lady Saaru to fill her glass as well. “Lady Isleen, on the other hand—well, she has never gone past the third match before. Perhaps she is holding him back?”
Arius narrowed his golden ember eyes as Isleen swung wildly toward Makhi’s momentarily exposed side, only to miss what should have been an easy advantageous strike. “Lady Isleen does appear to be struggling more than before—noticeably so.”
“Don’t let it bother you too much, Father. It’s the last match, and Isleen doesn’t have the stomach to challenge me.”