“Oh, that means you’re related to Tulos too, right?” Kaara said to Deka.

Deka turned, “Who?”

The anger in Amaro was washed away into worry, “Tulos? Do you know of them? Where are they, are they safe?”

Kaara nodded, “We’re really good friends! He’s made us a bunch of cool things with his magic.”

Amaro reminded himself to give Tulos the biggest hug he’d ever given anyone when they met again. He’d already laid the groundwork between their families if he had befriended Kaara.

He had someone to vouch for him to her.

Kaara came between him and Deka and pulled them under her arms. Amaro could feel his world spinning. She smelled like fruits and flowers. It was so sweet. Amaro’s mouth was dry, he hardly heard what she or anyone else was saying.

He collected himself.

“So Tulos has been living with you as a Tibur this entire time?” Raktus asked.

Kaara nodded, “Yeah, didn’t you know? I’m sure Tiksu said he’d let you guys know.”

Amaro clicked his tongue, “Our father probably didn’t care to tell us.” His father had assured him that Tulos was still alive and well. He even promised they would meet again.

But why did he hide the fact that he had joined the Tibur clan?

Deka pulled away, brushing himself off, “I suppose there is a bit of blood which runs between me and you.” He said to Amaro, “Though I do have to wonder…” He showed his fangs with a sly smirk, “I am only one half Xirxus, and the other is of the prestigious Alveridan bloodline as well. I heard your father wasn’t much a fan of uniting other noble houses into his own. And your brother- Tulos was it?- He sounds as if he fits in a bit too well with the Tiburs.”

There was a bit of excitement in Amaro’s gut now. Did he think it was an insult to be born half Tibur? Now was his opportunity to impress Kaara.

It would be all the more satisfying to beat Deka when he knew that Amaro and his siblings were all half Tibur. Oh the humiliation that would bring to him and his lineage.

Amaro stood tall again, “If you’re trying to imply we share blood with Tibur then you’re-”

Before Amaro could speak another word, heard the clattering of dishes and the spilling of drinks.

He glanced over in horror to see that they had humiliated Kaara. Amaro’s glance shot right back to Deka, his smug face said it all.

Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

If he couldn’t have her, then no one should even want her, was that it? Had he orchestrated all of this to humiliate the two of them together?

But Kaara was so strong. So dignified even when they tried to embarrass her. She was true nobility to her core. All she did was smile and give him a thumbs up to let him know she was okay.

Amaro got the message. He understood her.

He was splashed with juice, his clothes turned to a stain mess. They were all equals in their humiliation now. Kaara had turned Deka’s plan on its head, the clever girl.

“Get this off of me now!” Deka whined in a tone that was music to Amaro’s ears. He could see the look in Kaara’s eyes. The same look of mischief Tulos always had. They really had become good friends.

“Oh I will, don’t worry. Hey- actually- since the two of you wanna fight, maybe we can play a game? Losers have to keep the mess on their clothes!”

Amaro could sense the killing intent from Deka. He was ready to protect Kaara at a moment’s notice.

“You know what, I quite like that. What’s the game? A duel?” Deka said.

“I don’t mind it either.” Amaro said, thinking of something cool to add, “I wouldn’t lose to him if you were watching.”

And from there, the rest was history. They shook hands, and Amaro was frozen solid to the prince.

She was shy, but she was clever and kind. She wanted to be chased, and Amaro was more than happy to win the game for her.

At least that’s what he had thought before he buried his face in a wall of ice trying to catch up with her outside.

But now he was having second thoughts. Perhaps she was making it difficult so she could test him too? Or perhaps it was to make certain Deka couldn’t claim foul play?

Whatever the case, Amaro liked it more that Kaara did not give herself easily to him. If she was testing his resolve, then he would show her everything he had learned until now. He couldn’t stand beside her if he couldn’t even catch her by her tail.

That was the message Amaro got from Kaara now. He was locked in combat with Deka, trading blows, but enough to make either bleed.

At the very least, Deka obeyed the rules she had set for them. Those rules had communicated everything to Amaro. She didn’t want to see her family in pain, and she didn’t want Amaro to kill him for her honor.

Amaro knew he would have tried if she hadn’t made those rules. Even if Deka was a fiend, she still viewed anyone joining the Tibur clan as if they had blood ties to her.

But did that mean she would only view him as a brother too and not something more?

SLAM!!!

Amaro was cratered into the snow, the wind knocked from his lungs.

“Hmph, how pitiful. To think I share so much blood with someone who can’t even use their Ux properly yet. I’ve already won.”

Ux? What was he talking about? Amaro got up. This was no time to be distracted. Deka was on his level, but Amaro had something he didn’t.

He had experienced loss. He had fought his father and The Crow. He had lost over and over to Lorshiir.

That was far more than Deka had ever accomplished, even if he had won the Bravalos Tournament. He doubted anyone was near the level of Amaro’s strongest opponents.

Deka had never faced someone as strong as Amaro was.

They clashed again at blinding speed. He was a crimson scourge. Cutting like a wound through the sky.

Deka clicked his tongue, “You’re wasting my time.” He disengaged, frustrated as he hurtled straight for the forest that Kaara had run to on wolfback.

Amaro could already see the opaque white fog that encapsulated it. Such supremely powerful magic. It made Amaro wonder just how large Kaara’s soul was.