[2016] The Bride Trials

by Jessica Parker

  Who is served first at a royal dinner? A. The Heir B. The Queen C. Visiting nobility. Keyla selected “A.” The guard next to her made a big sweeping motion with his arms. The disk she and the guard were on began to rise into the air a few feet.

  Some of the other girls let out squeals of alarm. “Did I forget to mention that to pass the exam you must reach the Air Kuil? As you answer correctly, you will go higher. Answer wrong and you will return to the ground.” The man smiled and sat on the edge of the table at the front.

  Keyla looked down at the paper. She just had to focus and ignore the ground growing further away. The next question appeared. Who leads the Gons in absence of a living queen? A. The King. B. The Gon of healing. C. The Gon of healing with direction from the King.

  She felt her hand move to answer automatically,” C.” The guard made another swishing motion with his arms and they rose fifteen feet above the walls of the room, level with one of the lower towers on the Palace.

  When meeting a dignitary for the first time wherein you are unsure how to greet them, you should: A. Shake hands. B. Nod your head respectfully until the proper procedure is established. C. Speak to them.

  A scream screeched through the air. Keyla looked over the edge of the disc. A woman who hadn’t made it quite as high as Keyla was falling. She was close enough to the ground that she wouldn’t die, but the pain would be overwhelming. The screaming came to an abrupt halt when the woman hit the earth.

  B. Speaking or touching is considered an insult in several of the related cultures. They rose another fifteen feet.

  With each question she answered, Keyla and her escort rose. When they got to the cloud, they floated over to where an older man stood dressed in a stormy grey. Their movement stopped abruptly a foot away from the cloud. She lost her balance and pitched forward, falling hard. The guard wasn’t prepared to hold the disc level. His end popped up, and they both slid down towards the open sky.

  She threw her hands out to try to catch herself, but the disc was smooth. There was nothing to grab. Still holding the paper in one hand, she reached the empty air. Time stretched out before her, it was a long way down. Her mind raced through her life. If she was going to die, she had just one regret. Plenty of things she wished she could have lived for, but one regret.

  How cliché that I should only realize this now. Ditran will never know I love him; the way his smile could melt her insides, his tender touch when healing. If there was an afterlife, she’d spend it missing the way he could make her laugh. She closed her eyes so that the last thing she’d see would be him in her mind.

  Her body hit something hard, but it didn’t hurt. She opened her eyes. The disc was underneath her and the guard. He swirled his arms quickly, and they no longer were falling. There was a pause. They hovered in the air just for a moment, then shot back up toward the cloud.

  Keyla stayed very still, not wanting to risk the guard’s balance again. They reached the cloud once more, and the stop wasn’t as harsh. She stood up carefully, and took the offered hand from the older man standing on the edge of the cloud. He pulled her onto the cloud.

  Under her feet, the cloud felt springy, like a mattress. Joy like she’d never felt before filled her. She was alive. She’d get to see Ditran again.

  “Excellent. You are the first.” The man took her paper and handed it to the guard. “You know what to do.”

  He gestured to a building she hadn’t noticed before. It looked like a bunch of large bubbles were glued together, some clear, others opaque.

  The guard led her inside and down several twists and turns before they reached a large room with five rows of chairs. Each row contained ten chairs.

  “Sit here. Don’t speak to any of the other ladies,” the guard said. “How long will I be here?” Keyla asked.

  “However long it takes for the Heir to arrive.” He tore off a piece of the paper in his hands and handed it to her. “Keep this and follow the Heir’s instructions.”

  “Thank you.” The guard smiled briefly, then walked away. Keyla noted a servant standing in the corner. About ten minutes later additional girls dressed in blue or brown filed in. One by one they continued to come until the chairs were filled. Arcis was given a chair further down in the same row as Keyla.

  Two men entered the room, one dressed in white, the other in black. They each carried a black box which they set on a table and stood behind. Heir Ditran entered behind them.

  Ditran looked over the group of ladies and gave a smile when his eyes landed on Keyla. The familiar melting feeling started again.

  “Ladies. Congratulations you’ve made it to part two of the first round. If you will be patient a little while longer, this will be over soon. One by one I’ll meet with each of you. You’ll then be directed to place your envelope in one of the two boxes. Please don’t worry about curtsying as I will be seated.”

  He started with the first row of women who were dressed in brown before proceeding to the row dressed in gray. When it was finally Keyla’s turn, she approached the table Ditran sat behind.

  “I’m glad to see you scored the highest out of everyone.”

  “Did I?” “That’s why you reached the Kuil first. I watched on a screen in the other room.” He pointed to the wall that had been behind Keyla. “I thought my heart was going to stop when you started falling.”

  “I felt the same way.” “Want to know a secret?” He motioned for her to lean closer and whispered. “I’d end the whole thing if I could. I don’t need to see anyone else but you.”

  The confession of love was on the tip of her tongue, but she didn’t want the moment she told him witnessed by all the women no doubt glaring behind her. “The stone?”

  He nodded. “Now I think I’ve spent about as much time as I can with you. Put your paper in the box next to the guard dressed in black please.”

  Keyla started walking away.

  “And Keyla.” He waited until she turned and looked at him. “You look beautiful in that dress.” Her cheeks heated and she quickly placed her envelope in the box. She turned to join the line of ladies who had also put their letters in that box. A

  girl dressed in blue glared at Keyla.

  After Ditran met with the remaining dozen girls, he stood up and motioned to all the ladies who had been told to put their cards in the box with the man wearing white.

  “Thank you Ladies. Please exit out the left door as your number is called.” Ditran said. He turned to Keyla’s group, but before he could speak, King Sonovo entered the room with four servants carrying the Dovesti’s Stone behind him.

  King Sonovo smiled. “Ladies, congratulations on passing part one and two of Zrak Dra’s challenge. Now it is time for part three.”

  “Uncle—” Ditran said. “This year things will be a bit different. For the safety of the monarchy and the success of these trials, in order to continue you will also need to enter into a covenant with Dovesti’s Stone. If you are eliminated, or intend harm against the Heir or myself, the stone will determine the reward or punishment for your conduct.”

  Gasps echoed in the room. A girl dressed in green ran for the door. “Drus Dra protect me,” She yelled. “The punishment of Dovesti is not worth a crown. A minor offense and he could strip your powers, disfigure your flesh, and erase your memories.”

  “Ladies, the covenant is simple. If you promise not to harm Heir Ditran or myself in any way and to abide by the rules, no harm will come to you from the stone. If you do not wish to make this promise you are free to leave now.”

  The girl in green fled.

  hispers filled the room, and several others walked out.

  Well, the rock didn’t kill me last time. Keyla stepped forward, “I’ll take that oath.” She walked until she stood inches from the stone. After one big breath, she placed her hands on it. Warmth rushed up her arm. It was pleasant, like the embrace of a friend.

  The King’s blank face looked down at her. “Do you vow that you will not harm Heir Ditran, or mysel
f?”

  “I do.”

  “Very well. May the mark of Dovesti be a sign of your loyalty,” Sonovo said. The heat moved down her arms until it only remained on her right hand, between her thumb and finger. A dark line cut its way across her skin. It curled around until it resembled a rain cloud.

  The King looked at the mark and frowned. “Next.” Arcis stepped forward along with the girl in blue who had glared earlier. The same words were repeated and similar marks appeared on their hands.

  After they saw no harm was done, the remaining women lined up to take the oath. There were seventeen girls remaining to pledge themselves when Sonovo held up his hand.

  “Twenty-five have taken the oath. Five from each element. They will progress to the next round. Those of you remaining may return home.”

  Keyla and the other twenty-four women were exited out the door and led down a small hallway. They passed through tall, ornate, double doors, and into an elevator. It started its descent, and to her horror, the walls were made of glass. Before almost plummeting to her death, she would have been fascinated. Now she just hoped she’d survive.

  The elevator descended into a large circular room. Once it reached the bottom, the women filed out the open doors. The elevator closed and ascended empty. The room was filled with multiple couches and chairs that were all black. The walls and floor were made out of a white marble, and black framed lanterns were hanging throughout the room.

  “Welcome, ladies.” An older woman dressed in black greeted them. “I am Phemia. This is the common room. During your spare time, you are welcome to come and go from this room to your personal rooms as you please. If you need anything, there are servants stationed here and at the entry of every floor. You are not allowed to leave this tower without permission from me, Heir Ditran, or King Sonovo.”

  She paused for questions. None came. “You are all probably tired. Earth, you will be located on the first floor. Air on the second, Water, you are third. Fire, you are fourth. Spirit, you are on the top floor. Do not enter the living area of another candidate without their permission. Remember your manners girls. It is by the King’s generosity that you are allowed to stay here.” She stepped on a black tile Keyla hadn’t noticed before.

  The white marble split open, revealing another, smaller elevator. “Hurry up girls.” Arcis, Keyla and the other three fire elementals stepped inside. As it ascended, they could see through the one glass side. Each floor was painted in the color coordinated with the Element of the

  girls who would stay on that level. When they reached the red level, a servant in silver greeted them.

  Arcis was the first to speak. “I get first pick of the rooms.”

  “The rooms were pre-assigned,” the servant said.

  “I require the best bedding and pillows.” Arcis placed her hands on her hips.

  “Your attendant will meet you in your room. If something is not satisfactory, let her know.” “Fine. Which room is mine?” Arcis asked. “Lady Arcis, you are at the far end, in room five.” The servant pointed down the hallway. Arcis stomped away and slammed her bedroom door behind her. The servant looked at her list, for the remaining names. Nurya, a fire elemental with blond curls, was assigned the room across the hall from Keyla.

  Double doors opened into a sitting area with: a couch, two chairs and a coffee table in the middle. A book case against one wall was filled with several thick texts and ornaments made of glass. She opened another set of double doors and gasped in awe. It was a full suite, grander than the room she’d stayed in before. A bed that could easily fit four people sat against the far wall. The white silk bedspread had red blossoms embroidered into it. Tall posts held a sheer canopy.

  Curtains covered the entire far wall. As Keyla approached it, they separated automatically. Keyla found herself staring out the large window into the starlit courtyard of the Palace.

  She took a step back, and an electronic menu popped up on the window pane. It asked her if she wished for the windows to be set into privacy mode. Keyla selected “yes,” and a fuzzy white glaze spread across the glass.

  A single door brought her into a private bath. The entire room seemed to be made of quartz. A deep tub melted into the floor as if it had naturally formed. A shower with glass doors was tucked around a corner where Keyla discovered a large vanity with mirrors.

  Everywhere she looked, she was reminded of the fact that she was at the Palace. If she could pass the tests, she could live in a room like this the rest of her life.

  At the end of the bathroom, Keyla found another door. She opened it and found the largest closet she'd ever seen. Before she could look too closely, a servant appeared from a door at the other end of the closet.

  “Pardon me, My Lady.” She curtsied. “I'm Tyla. Now that you have your room, we'll begin stocking

  the closet.” “What?”

  Several more women filed into the closet carrying boxes and bags. With the precision of the military, they began filing things away. A few times one held a dress or something up to Keyla. Tyla would then point this way or that way for where to put the item.

  “My Lady. I'll be your personal dresser while you are here. In order to have you ready for your activities tomorrow we will wake you two hours earlier. Would you like to dine in your room this evening or go to the common dining area?”

  “I'm not sure.” The closet was half full when Keyla realized that all the items were red. “Do you have anything in another color?

  “As a fire elemental you will need to wear red at all times during the trials.” “Like this dress?” Keyla looked down at herself, doubtful that she would be able to find that many other red outfits that would look decent on her.

  “Don't worry, My Lady.”

  “Keyla, please call me Keyla.”

  “Yes, Lady Keyla. Take a little time to think about dinner. This week you and the others will have classes and training for becoming a princess.”

  he week flew by. Most of the candidates were

  recovered from the shock of the first trial, and now it was time for the second. The suit Tyla picked out for Keyla this morning was the same color of red as the other fire elementals wore. It fit like a second, much thicker, skin. She could barely bend. Even though the morning mist had yet to burn off completely, it was incredibly hot outside in the early morning sun.

  They met the other elementals on the east side of the palace. Phemia grouped them together according to their element and then according to their times for passing the first trial. Keyla first, Nurya second.

  “What do you think today’s trial will be?” Nurya asked. She stood behind Keya, also in red. A flare of heat rushed over her hand and the mark from the stone changed from an image of a cloud to a water droplet. “Probably something wet.” Keyla held up her hand.

  Nurya snorted. Over the last week, while studying together, they bonded as they avoided as many of Arcis’s deliberate tantrums for attention as they could. Considering Arcis’s voice carried through their bedroom walls and doors, they didn’t miss many.

  Arcis screeched from somewhere in the line. “Why is this taking so long?” Nurya rolled her eyes. “My family would kill me if I ever dishonored them like that. As is, they’ve told me not to come home if I lose.”

  “Truly?”

  “Losing would be a disgrace. They’d wish me dead before tarnishing the family name.”

  Keyla was about to respond when guards in blue marched out to line a stone paved walkway. “Welcome, Ladies,” Phemia said. “Each of you will be guided to the Water Kuil where you will meet with Gon Calder. There he will clear your minds and look into the Voda Dra’s scale for guidance on your behalf.”

  Several of the girls exclaimed in joy.

  “Typically this honor is kept only for the Royal family. Make sure you thank King Sonovo and Heir Ditran for this gift. Let’s go.” Phemia clapped her hands and began walking down the path where the guards stood.

  What is the challenge though? Keyla strode beh
ind Phemia, and a guard fell into step by her. They walked all the way to the pier in perfect sync.

  When they reached the end of the pier, Phemia turned towards them. “The ceremony for clarity requires precision. Fail in the process shown to you and you will be eliminated.”

  There it is.

  Keyla looked at the guard next to her. “Are you supposed to escort me to this Kuil?” “Yes, my lady. When you are ready.”

  “Where is it?”

  He pointed at the water where the mist was thickest. “In the center there.”

  “May I?” Ditran stepped off the pier and onto the water. Keyla smiled. Between classes, and practicing her powers, they never had more than a moment to see each other. Those moments were usually interrupted. She still hadn’t told him how he made

  her feel all gooey and warm inside. Or that she loved him.

  “When did you get here?” Keyla asked. “About now.” He held out his hand to her. “That fancy suit of yours allows me to guide you more easily.”

  Keyla took his hand and gingerly reached a foot out. She touched the water. It felt like stepping onto a board, solid but floating on the surface, moveable. She stepped out with her other foot and didn’t sink.

  “So long as you hold my hand, you’ll stay dry. Let go, and at least the suit will help your body float to the surface.”

  He encased them in a bubble, easily ten times their combined body size, and began floating across the water. She turned back and looked at the pier. Guards were escorting the others out.

  “Why is the bubble so big?”

  “We need something to breathe, and the deeper we go the more the bubble will shrink.”

  “Deeper?” Keyla asked. She heard a loud sucking noise before she saw it. A giant hole in the water. The bubble floated forward and fell in. It was like being on an elevator that went down too fast. She grabbed onto Ditran’s

  shoulders and shut her eyes.

  He chuckled. “I’d forgotten what it felt like that first time.”

  “That was mean. You could have warned me.” Keyla opened her eyes. They were surrounded by clear blue water. A big, yellow fish swam by slowly, while tiny black ones hurried together to an outcropping of rock. The cold water was rapidly cooling the air inside the bubble. She shifted closer to Ditran.