CHAPTER NINE
Pierre hovered over her father when Etta arrived. He'd collapsed near a crop of trees on the far side of the arena. People stopped to gawk, but Pierre held them back.
Etta crashed to her knees as her father tried to lift his head.
"Persinette," he whispered.
She leaned closer and took his hand. "I'm here, Father."
"Persinette, the King knew of your magic." He let his head fall back. "I was cursed to protect him, but I chose. You can choose. Protecting you was more important."
Etta's gaze snagged on the familiar bow laying nearby. She looked back to her father, shaking her head as tears poured down her cheeks. No blood stained his skin, but in the same spot where he'd shot the king, Viktor’s skin glowed red.
Etta put a hand on her father's chest and bent her head. "Your
