Chapter 14: The Challenge

The ring was a circle of packed earth behind Stonewater, with torches on iron posts and the whole Moot standing around it.

Dorian took off his coat and handed it to me.

"You don't have to do this," I said. "Say no. He's a coward with a sword, and I don't trust it."

"He challenged me for you." Dorian rolled up his sleeves. "A refusal would tell every wolf here that you can be won by anyone strong enough to ask."

"I can't be won."

"Then let me show them."

Garrick came into the ring from the other side.

His left forearm was wrapped in white linen over Verity's handprint, and he carried a long sword in his right hand.

Verity walked behind him with the scabbard.

She had cleaned the blade herself, the Elder Mother announced, as a healer's last courtesy to her Alpha.

I watched Verity's hands.

They were steady, and she didn't look at me once.

Then the wind turned, and I smelled it.

It was faint, and sweet, and metallic, and it was coming off the edge of Garrick's sword.

"Dorian," I said.

He looked at me.

"Silver. It's on the blade."

His face didn't change.

"Where?"

"The whole edge. She's rubbed it in."

"Then I can't let it touch me."

"No."

"And I can't stop the fight," he said. "The Moot has seen him challenge. If I refuse now, he wins the hall without lifting a hand."

"Then I will."

"Morwenna."

"Give me a second."

I walked to the edge of the ring and stayed there.

The Elder Mother called the start.

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