Celeste
I didn’t think. I moved.
Darien was charging toward James with his sword drawn and murder in his eyes. James was frozen. Alec was reaching for his own blade. If Alec drew on Darien, the consequences would fracture everything.
So I pulled Alec’s sword from his hip before his hand got there, spun, and met Darien’s blade head on.
The clash rang across the courtyard.
Darien stared at me in shock. I was between him and James, holding his best friend’s sword with both hands, my arms vibrating from the impact.
“What are you doing, Darien?“ I didn’t move. ”Is this about the uprising? That’s over. We are all friends now. You can’t swing your blade every time you feel an uncomfortable emotion. You’ll only live with regret, and I won’t let that happen.”
“How dare you turn your sword ag
