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Lavaria’s heart raced as the air of the arena thickened with Monstrox’s spell. She looked fearfully to Whiperella. Her eyes were fixed to the floor, scaly lip trembling.
If the knights don’t know up in five seconds…
The seconds ticked away, Monstrox growing bigger and bigger until he lifted off the ground and loomed over Jestro.
Her friend’s soft and sweet and determined and so-much-more-than-he-knew face twisted with fear. The rushing air muted a scream.
It was enough. Lavaria stepped forward, but the spider-web streaks of magic had thickened like steel, clipping her hands as they tore past. She couldn’t see the ritual finish.
The air quieted. The chains were shattered and Jestro rose swaying to his feet.
Lavaria’s heart crashed. His eyes weren’t his anymore.
Magmar swallowed forcefully and pounded a fist to his chest. “Hail, Monstrox!”
The wizard looked at his hands and cackled, sounding like Jestro’s, but twisted out of place. “Hail indeed! Oh, how long I’ve been waiting for this!” He turned, vicious eyes sweeping over them. “How else to celebrate? You are all dismissed!”
Jestro’s hands sparked, the whole arena surging in power. Lavaria gasped, grabbed the book carrier, and ducked behind a column just before a blast shook the floor.
Sparkks ducked with his hands covering his head, tears in his eye. Lavaria rested a shaky hand over him, peaking into the arena as Monstrox twisted back and forth, cackling as another spell brewed.
Lavaria liked to pluck trinkets for herself in their pillaging. A few weeks ago, she had picked up a book with pages fresh and thick enough that they didn’t burn up if she was careful. Monstrox had sniffed at it, saying it didn’t help her be fearsome, but Jestro hid the thing for her.
Slowly, an idea still forming, she stood up. The magic wind whipped her hood from her face. “Little Bad? Can you hear me?”
Monstrox turned with a cruel grin. “I’m afraid not!”
He shot a blast of cold air. Lavaria somersaulted out of the way.
“Jestro, I want you to know something!” she shouted.
“What are you doing?” Magmar hissed as he ushered scurriers to the exit.
“You want to help?” Lavaria jumped around another pillar. She cupped her hands around her mouth and shouted with a smile, “I love you!”
Monstrox paused for a second. Then he wheezed with laughter. “Really? You thought that would work?!”
A cold blast hit her in the front but she flipped with it and landed back on her feet.
“I loved watching you on stage last night! I’m sorry I didn’t stand up to him before because I love seeing you be yourself!”
“Ugh, okay, knock it off!” Monstrox shouted.
“You are the sweetest apprentice Monstrox ever had! You are my sweetheart who always makes sure I’m okay and likes me for me and made nights out camping fun for the first time!”
“You ungrateful-” Monstrox muttered and sent another blast. Burnzie caught Lavaria this time.
“Yeah! That joke about the carnival-” he called to Jestro, chortling, “It was the best night ever!”
“Quit it!” Monstrox shouted. “Silence!”
Beast Master stood up. “For the first time we didn’t just worry about us lavas cause you’re one of us!”
“I am literally going to THROW UP!” Monstrox bellowed.
“You’re cute as candy and sweet as puppies and I could kiss your face all day!" Lavaria cried, laughing. "Jestro, you are my darling and my dear and the light of my life and the treasure of my heart! I love you, I love you, I love you!”
Monstrox pressed his hands over his ears, screaming. He threw his head back and Jestro went slack.
Whiperella shot forward, grabbing Jestro before he fell from the walkway.
His eyes rose blearily, wearing a weary, embarrassed smile. “How’d- how’d you guys know that would work?”
Lavaria kneeled by his side and kissed his cheek. “Maybe I just wanted to say it.”
He turned pink then tears packed his eyes. “You GUYS!” he sobbed. They all laughed in relief and hugged him.
The door finally burst open, the knights up in arms.
Clay halted in the breath of his heroic pose. “What in the world happened here?”
Jestro laughed, wiggling out of the cuddle pile. “It’s been long enough. I need to introduce you guys!”