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The crowd loves it, the terraces of spectators seething with excite

Just as I clis, Kalliarkos cli to steady hih to rockthe best Fives of his life, showing he has what it takes to be a real adversary

"You h Traps," I say in a low voice as I catch s: the pattern, the varying heights, the speed of the turning wooden rings, and the way they open and close paths that lead toward the victory tower

"I had to risk the high leap," he says in answer "You knoill happen if I lose"

I do know

Up in the seats, half the crowd is on its feet Evenhis eyes for a better look On the balcony of Garon Palace, Lord Gargaron is waiting to see if I pass muster

No step you take can be retraced Yesterday cannot be revisited That is what irl cheat to let his nephein I see how he has trapped me

If I win, Kalliarkos becomes the puppet adversary his uncle ue, a poisonous schedom If I win, he will be thrust into a war between the nastiest and inable They will rip hiaron will know I cheated because I as My father will suffer because of my rebellion Whatever hope I have to help s and to find Bettany will be lost because I will be sold to the aron will force Kalliarkos to march out with the army anyway because he’ll convince everyone that I lost to let the prince they all believe is my lover win Because I did it once before

This is the choice aron came to our house, the choice that is no choice at all Whatever promises Kalliarkos has made to me, he cannot keep them, no matter what he thinks

Lord Thynos tried to tell me: Our Kal can inherit two thrones

The world will never leave him alone He is na&ius spin, and he hesitates, trying to unravel a pattern that is cohts and speeds The fastest way through is already coaron kneould be