War (The True Reign Series) by Jennifer Anne Davis Page B

and then released his arrow. It arched through the air, missing the target completely, and landing in a tree.
    “I win,” Darmik announced.
    Lennek threw his bow on the ground. “What did you do?” he demanded. “You sabotaged my weapon, didn’t you?”
    “Of course not, brother.” He never cheated , and it hurt his feelings that his brother would accuse him of such a thing.
    “I take lessons every day. You don ’t. How did you beat me?”
    Darmik looked to the ground, no idea what to say to appease his brother.
    “Guards!” Lennek shouted, turning to face the soldiers responsible for the princes’ safety. “Take Darmik to the king. Now.”
    “I ’ll go,” Darmik mumbled. “You don’t need to drag me there.” He was escorted to Barjon’s office.
    “ Father,” Prince Lennek said. “Darmik cheated. He needs to be taught a lesson.” Lennek proceeded to tell him his version of the story.
    King Barjon ’s eyes narrowed. “Darmik won?”
    “Only because he must have done something unethical,” Lennek w hined.
    “Leave us,” the king demanded.
    Once alone with his father, Darmik said, “I didn’t cheat. It was a fair win.”
    The king smiled. “Nothing is ever fair.” He pulled out a leather whip. “Remove your tunic.”
    When Darmik wasn’t having a nightmare about his father and brother, he was haunted by his time at Emperion. He always dreamt about some traumatic experience he’d tried to forget—like the time he was forced to fight a fellow cadet to the death.
    “Only my ten best men from this unit can go on,” Officer Gaverek announced. “That means one of you fails.”
    Darmik stood straight and tall at attention. He’d done well on all of his tests and challenges. Several of his fellow cadets were slower and not as qualified as he was. He should be safe from being sent home in disgrace.
    “I ’ve decided to take the two worst cadets and have you fight until someone dies. Winner stays. I won’t have to waste my time sending the loser home.” No one spoke. “I’ve chosen Jimek—who is consistently coming in last for our runs.” Officer Gaverek stopped before Darmik. “And I’ve chosen the soft prince, since no one likes him.”
    Panic swelled inside of Darmik. This wasn ’t fair. He shouldn’t be forced to fight a fellow cadet to the death. His hands became sweaty as he stepped forward, everyone forming a circle around him and Jimek. Only, when Darmik went to throw the first punch, Jimek morphed into Rema right as his fist struck her nose.
    Awak ening in a cold sweat, Darmik shook his head, trying to banish the visions of Rema screaming in pain. With shaking hands, he got dressed and went to the top deck. The air was hot and muggy, even though the sun hadn’t yet come up. They had to be close to Emperion. Darmik estimated they’d been aboard the ship for two weeks. Any hope of intercepting Rema’s ship had diminished. He was going to have to become the person he didn’t want to be—the king’s son, Prince Darmik, in order to go before the emperor. It was the only thing that could save Rema.
    “ Land ho!” a voice rang through the dim, gray sky of dawn.
    Darmik scanned the horizon—he didn ’t see anything.
    Several sailors ran to man the sails. One approached him. “We’ll be in port soon. I suggest you tell the others to prepare.”
    Darmik ’s heartbeat quickened—this was it. He ran to Neco’s quarters, pounding on the door.
    “ Yes?” Neco asked, pulling open the door and squinting.
    “ Land has been spotted. Wake everyone. It’s time.”
    Without waiting for a response, Darmik rushed to his berth. Emperions were all about rank, so Darmik needed to show he outranked everyone except the emperor. Opening the footlocker, he pulled out his black pants and commander’s tunic. After dressing, he strapped his sword belt around his waist and sheathed his blade. Bending down, he retrieved his crown from the footlocker. He stood, staring at it. He never thought