Kyle pushed himself upright, his face grim. The crowd's admiration had curdled into shock and doubt.
"Why?"
"Because I couldn't bear to let you lose before."
I removed the Alpha family crest from my arm and tossed it down in front of him.
"Now you're not worth holding back for."
The metal badge struck the broken glass with a bright, brittle chime.
I turned and ordered Frostblade to dismantle the glasshouse and recover every last military supply. The guards who had tried to stop us moved aside. Not one of them dared speak.
Lily rushed over to help Kyle up. "That fight doesn't count! Sarah only won because you underestimated her. She didn't beat you fairly!"
Kyle ignored her. His eyes remained fixed on me.
"I'll return the supplies, but I won't agree to end our engagement."
"You st
