Ignoring the furtive glances of everyone in the room, Riftan sat polishing his sword in the corner. It was not long before the soldiers called his name. Once again, he put on his helmet and sauntered down the tunnel leading to the arena. His next opponent was as heavily built as Gayron, the mercenary he had fought on the first day. He passed a sideways glance over him.
The sentry visibly recoiled and glanced at the sword at Riftan's waist. Though he clearly had no problem with public mockery, his bravado seemed to disappear at the prospect of facing Riftan in single combat. The man clamped his mouth shut.
An unexplainable feeling took over her. How was it that she meant so much to him? She wanted to unpack his heart, but at the same time, she was terrified of what she might find. Though a part of her wanted to believe him, another part theorized that what he felt was in fact pity and that he had merely misconstrued his own feelings.
She held her breath as she recalled the gruesome sight of her father's battered body. If the knights had not restrained him, Riftan would have beaten her father to death. She was sure of it.
Crushing the duke's head against the wall, Riftan muttered flatly, "Why are you causing such a scene? Surely you could have a hierarch heal you as well, no?"
Maxi hugged her knees as she sat as motionless as a rock. Riftan's face had been shrouded in darkness up until now. As he lit the lamp, the flickering light revealed his expression.
Maxi's neck stiffened before she slowly looked up. Riftan had one hand clamped around the duke's wrist, his face full of incomprehension as he took in the sight before him.
The cruel lashing soon began. The leather crop sliced into her skin like a knife. Every blow made her feel like a wretched beast, and every time the pain of a hacking ax landed on her back, she wanted to abandon all her pride and beg for forgiveness.
Maxi's neck stiffened before she slowly looked up. Riftan had one hand clamped around the duke's wrist, his face full of incomprehension as he took in the sight before him.