Hi, guys.
I know I've said this before, but I'm a beginner and as a beginner, I don't really understand the whole 'Beta Reader' thing. It makes me feel kind of embarrassed, but I am pretty young. I'm soon going to start Grade 8. Could someone please explain? Maybe PM me or say in the reviews? Please don't laugh or make fun of me when you explain either. Or at all.
*Sheepish smile*
I'm gonna change the title of this story to Silver Throne, so if you look up this story, search Silver Throne. Or just search my name. :)
I did get 3000 views and it makes me feel awesome! And as you all know, I love hearing from you. I got this review from someone about how Maven can't achieve redemption and sometimes, I feel like he can't but everyone would love it if the old Maven came back or whatever and I would love it too. And I'm not saying that Maven didn't feel like betraying Cal sometimes, just that he never really felt the need to put his plan into action. But of course, he was angry that Cal seduced Mare. So it depends on everyone's opinion.
Sorry that this chapter is so short. I wanted to leave it at a cliffhanger. I love cliffhangers. Also, I wanted to make it short so I could write the next chapter faster. So here you go, the next chapter.
Chapter 8
Sleep was impossible for me. Just as I was drifting off, the guards pulled me up, dragging me to the same arena. I groaned in despair. Last night's events made me forget about the fight Evangeline had proposed. All the thoughts and memories of dinner came rushing back to me.
The way Maven had kissed me... I was torn in choosing whether I should or not. He held me so gently, it was as if I would snap in two in his arms. I was melting in his touch, sinking so deep that I was practically drowning.
But you kissed him back, a small voice in my mind whispered. I shuddered. Cal would never want me anymore, not after the way I had been acting. And you loved his soft lips pressing against yours.
But I had no more time to think. I was already at the arena, waiting for my death.
I was pushed in but not as roughly as before. It was as if the taunting guards felt sorry for me. I wouldn't blame them. Dying in front of millions, killed as a weak coward and suffering slowly with no advantage was not a way I wanted to die. Or at the hands of Evangeline. But, alas, I couldn't wriggle my way out of this or find any loophole. Some part of me was actually looking forward to death. It hoped to see Shade, but it was false hope. I wouldn't go to a better place. I was the devil, millions of lives taken because of me, false hope cast among innocent people. It was I who deserved to suffer.
I bowed my head down, not making the same mistake as last time. Evangeline grinned, her pearly white teeth making me feel sick.
"Maven told me all about your incident and disobedience at the last fight. It's great to see that you're actually learning." She said quietly enough that only I could hear. She snapped her fingers. A guard came over, doing something completely unexpected.
He took off my collar.
I stared in surprise at her as it clanged to the floor. It was so strange that I was petrified.
"I know you're wondering why I took the biggest advantage I had and threw it away. Well, first I need you to just pick it up and put it there," She pointed past the way I got in, at the sidelines where a few guards were standing.
Probably to carry my dead body away.
I picked it up carefully, hoping she would jump and scream, "Gotcha!" and then get my hands burned. For some reason, I hadn't noticed how heavy it was before when it was on my neck. I pulled it away and threw it. A guard caught it. As a joke, I blew a kiss and winked. He whistled and waved, blushing a delicate shade of silver while the others laughed. Evangeline cleared her throat, her foot tapping lightly against the stage. I turned away to face her.
"As I was saying... I'm not a coward. I would fight you with your powers to show how I can overpower you even with your lightening. And, sometimes, I enjoy playing fair. So to give you one small advantage against me, I'll let you use your powers." She walked a little closer to me. "And I'm not a coward like Maven either." She whispered smugly. The comment about Maven made my blood boil. I clenched my teeth, my hand making an automatic fist.
"Tut, tut, Mare. You wouldn't start before the bell goes, wouldn't you?" She said teasingly. "So, new rules. You lose, I bring the age line down for the war requirements. You win, I bring it back up."
Evangeline stepped back again. The horn blew, and I swear I that I could hear hell calling to me.