Enzo looked at his brother for a long moment, his expression hard and unreadable, before scoffing and turning away.
He left the throne room without another word.
His mind was already made up, and once Enzo made a decision, there was rarely any force in the kingdom strong enough to bend it. He was not taking his words back. He was not withdrawing the challenge. The duel would happen at dawn, and Adrian would stand before him in the arena whether he liked it or not.
That was the only way.
The only way to reclaim what little remained of his pride.
The only way to defend the honor Adrian had trampled beneath his feet the moment he took his mate and then had the audacity to mock him with it.
The only way Enzo could redeem himself after his mate had been taken from him and the entire kingdom had watched him endure the humiliation in silence.
He had tolerated enough. Tomorrow, it would end.
---
