Derek pulled him to one side before Isaac went out onto the field. “I was starting to be concerned,” he muttered, teasing a little. He looked Isaac over and frowned a little. “You can’t do this if you’re thinking about her, Isaac. Focus.” He pointed to where the ladies would sit, surrounding the throne. “I’ll be there. All you have to do is remember your training. He’s big, but he’s slow. Don’t try to block. Just get out of the way. You’re faster than he is and you’re better than he is.”
Stepping back, the prince pulled his sword and beckoned to Isaac. “Let’s have a few passes before you go out there.”
Isaac couldn’t refrain from a few tremors shuddering through his body as Derek led him aside, and he shook his head helplessly, wordlessly pleading with him to make this all better. Once again, he reminded himself of when he’d first come here, broken and traumatised and how Derek had taken him in under his wing and even back then, Isaac had looked to him for help. But now, he was a grown man fighting his own battles, all for the woman that he loved. He had no choice but to go through with this.
“I…promise me that you’ll look after Summer if this…if this doesn’t go as planned…” he whispered instead, his mind still on her despite Derek’s words, making it clear that he wouldn’t move a single step forward until he heard what he wanted to hear.
The prince rolled his eyes and took Isaac by the shoulders. “You aren’t going to lose, so stop saying things like that.” He shook the younger knight a little. “I’m not promising that because it’s not necessary. You’re going to go out there and show them why you’re my most trusted knight, why Hale knights are the best in the known world. I trained you, so don’t let me down.”