Chapter 208 The Pledge
Caden’s POV
The reaction on Trixie’s face told me everything before a single explanation was given.
Shock. Real shock. Not the polite kind someone puts on when they recognize a face in a crowd. No this was the kind that reached straight down into old memories.
The warrior standing in front of us smiled at her like he’d just found something he hadn’t seen in years. “Trix.” The familiarity in his voice made my eyebrow lift slightly.
Beside me, Coban noticed it too. He didn’t move much, but I saw the subtle shift in his shoulders. The way his attention sharpened. Interesting.
Trixie lowered her hand slowly from her mouth, still staring at him. “Blake?”
The warrior nodded. “Yeah.”
The crowd was still cheering around us, but the moment between them sat in a strange little pocket of quiet. Like the rest of the arena had suddenly fallen away.
I glanced between them. “You two know each other,” I said. It wasn’t really a question.
Trixie let out a small breath, still shaking her head slightly like she was trying to place the moment in reality. “My father’s best friend,” she said. “His son.” Blake gave a small nod.
“You practically grew up together,” I added quietly to myself, watching the way she softened at the sound of his voice.
Behind us Kevan leaned closer to Mark. “Oh, this just got interesting.”
Mark smirked. “Give it five seconds.”
Coban finally spoke. “You grew up together.”
Blake turned toward him respectfully. “Yes, sir,” he said. His voice shifted slightly when addressing us. Still confident, but carrying the weight of respect a warrior should have when standing in front of kings. “My father and her father were very close.”
Trixie’s expression changed slightly. A mixture of nostalgia and something deeper.
“Didn’t know where you ended up after everything happened,” Blake said softly, a small, warm smile tugging at the corners of his lips.
Her eyes softened. “Life got complicated,” she admitted quietly.
Kevan snorted behind us. “That’s one way to describe it.”
Lucian elbowed him lightly. “Behave.
Kevan grinned. “No promises.”
The crowd below was still cheering and clapping, waiting for the official ceremony to continue. I stepped forward slightly, letting my voice carry across the arena.
“Warriors.” I said loudly as I addressed the crowd.
The noise softened again. Thousands of eyes turned toward the podium. I gestured toward Blake. “This man completed the course faster than anyone in this tournament.”
A wave of applause rippled through the crowd.
“He faced every obstacle placed before him and finished with strength, discipline, and control.”
Blake stood tall, though I could see the exhaustion still clinging to his muscles. He had given everything to that run. Good. That’s exactly what we wanted from the men who earned their way into our ranks.
Coban stepped forward beside me. “A warrior who proves himself here earns more than applause.” His voice rolled across the arena like thunder. “He earns a place beside us.”
Another roar rose from the stands. I turned back to Blake. “Blake of the White Claw Pack. Step forward.”
He moved to the center of the podium. Darien and Lucian shifted subtly at the edges of the platform, maintaining their positions while the ceremony continued. Kevan folded his arms behind us, watching the moment with an amused expression.
Blake placed one hand over his chest. “Kings, speak your oath,” he said firmly.
Blake lifted his head slightly. “I swear my strength, my loyalty, and my blade to the crown.”
The arena fell completely silent. “I will protect this kingdom, its rulers, and its people.”
His voice grew stronger with every word. “I will stand in battle beside my fellow warriors and never abandon my post.”
I watched his eyes carefully. No hesitation. No doubt. Good.
“My loyalty belongs to the throne and the kings who rule it.” He lowered his head slightly. “Until my last breath.”
The silence held for one more heartbeat. Then Coban stepped forward. “You swear this willingly?”
“Yes, my king,” Blake replied.
“You understand the cost of that loyalty?” I asked as the crowd was almost silent now.
Blake nodded. “I do.”
Coban extended his hand. “Then rise as a Royal Warrior.”
Blake clasped Coban’s forearm firmly. I stepped forward next, gripping his arm as well. “Welcome to the ranks.”
Lucian clapped once behind us. Darien gave a sharp nod of approval.
And the arena exploded. Cheers. Applause. Warriors pounding their fists against the railing. Across the grass the children started shouting again as balloons floated even higher into the sky. Cassian squealed with delight. Atlas clapped.
Kevan leaned toward Mark again. “Well,” he said with a grin. “Looks like Trixie’s childhood friend just joined the royal guard.”
Mark smirked. “You thinking what I’m thinking?”
Kevan nodded slowly. “Oh, absolutely.” He raised his voice just enough for us to hear. “So tell me, Blake.”
Blake turned toward him cautiously.
Kevan continued. “Did you know growing up that one day you’d be swearing loyalty to your old playmate and her two overprotective kings?”
Trixie groaned. Lucian laughed outright. And I watched Blake’s expression carefully. The man didn’t flinch. Instead, he smiled slightly.
“Honestly?” Kevan raised an eyebrow. “Didn’t see that one coming.”