She stares at the ground, biting her lip. “Sorry,” she murmurs.
I step closer, and brush a lock of hair behind her ear. “I just want to keep you safe.”
“And near you.”
I smile, watching her brown eyes, dull and yet incredibly beautiful. Sometimes I wonder if I should be thankful for Raven’s brokenness. Otherwise, how could someone like her love me?
As if reading my thoughts, she grabs my hand, curling her fingers in mine.
“Your eyes are glowing again,” she says, wonder and awe in her expression.
I blink and shake my head, remembering myself. I’m in public. If someone sees, my secret will be blown.
I’m bad for her, I remind myself. I’m taking risks with her life, and if something happens to her because of my own selfishness... I swallow.
The door to the terrace opens, music growing louder and then muting again. I spin to face Drake, his long golden hair draped over his shoulders.
“Why hello there,” he says sweetly, eyes darting between the both of us. My stomach sinks, though I’m secretly grateful he didn’t come out only a moment earlier when he would have seen my bright eyes.
“Who is this lovely creature?” he asks, head tilting to the side innocently.
Oh, hell no. My fingers tighten into a fist as Raven ducks her head and shifts behind me.
“We’ve just met,” I say, eyes pinned to his harshly. Territorial. She’s prey, that’s the act I’ll put on for him. “She is quite lovely, isn’t she?” I puff my chest out.
“What’s her name?” he asks.
“Rael,” I answer quickly.
His harsh eyes turn back to me and he smiles, exposing sharp canines. My expression turns darker. You want to fight me for her? I’m willing. Try to take me. My chest heaves up and down with menace. I hold back a literal snarl.
Drake chuckles and waves dismissively. “Take your prize. Humans aren’t my cup of tea.”
My shoulders relax as he sits on the stone near the shadow tree, but I will not drop my guard entirely. “You on the other hand...” He purses his lips. “You are quite interesting.”
I sneer at him.
“Relax, I’m not a threat.” He winks. “Not right now.”
Important distinction. I resist the urge to roll my eyes, remembering I may be inclined to align with him at some point. At the very least, being his enemy is a step in the wrong direction.
The music in the hall grows louder again, and I blink as a new form joins us on the terrace.
“Making new enemies, Drake?” a dark skinned fae female in a purple gown says.
“I hope not,” he says, clicking his lounge, examining me. “That was not my intention.”
I narrow my eyes.
“Good, because we are always in the market for new allies.” Kari’s purple eyes turn to me, considering. “We only take those that make us stronger, though.” She shrugs, like it is all hypothetical.
Is she making fun of me for my weakness? Or inviting me to prove myself?
Raven grips my waist with tight fingers, and I pull in a long breath, breaking my concentration. “As fascinating as this conversation is, you’ve interrupted something... personal.” I smile, savage and cruel.
Kari’s eyebrows raise, her attention skirting to the figure behind me. “My apologies. Oh my, I love her dress!”
I’m taken aback by the honesty in her tone at that compliment, but I shake it off and pull Raven through the trees behind the estate.
Behind us, I hear Drake chuckle. “I suppose we shouldn’t be surprised she has a taste for humans.”
Caelynn
I spit Raven’s hair from my mouth as consciousness returns to me, sunlight streaming through the windows. The bed is soft and warm, but I pull myself out of it with a groan.
Last night was an epic fail.
I’d achieve my goal of approaching Tyadin about our alliance, and his message was very clear—screw you.
As much as it hurts, I can’t blame him. I’d likely feel the same in his shoes. An alliance with me might be his only chance at winning these trials, but the sacrifice would be hefty. Throwing in his lot with the most hated fae of our time.
I had hoped his court would be sympathetic to the rebellion. That may have been enough to make it a worthwhile arrangement. I got the feeling he didn’t snub me out of worry for his reputation, however. He refused an alliance out of his own moral code.
He didn’t want to befriend a murderer.
“You okay?” Raven rolls over to face me.
I nod, but there’s a knot in my stomach. After our conversation with Kari and Drake, I took Raven directly to my room, not at all caring who saw. She’d been noticed as my prey, so it fit the story. It just can’t happen again.
I can’t let any fae read anymore into our relationship. We can’t be seen together again or I’ll have to send Raven home. I told her as much last night.
“There’s something off about that guy,” Raven says, rubbing sleep from her eyes. “He was up to something.”
I swallow. “I suspect Drake is always up to something.”
“I don’t like him.”
I nod. “Good. You should never trust a fae. Any fae.”
She purses her lips. “What about you?”
I chuckle. “Probably not me either, but its bit too late for that.”
“I never got a chance to tell you what I heard before you came to meet me last night.”
“Oh?”
“The golden-haired jerk was talking with a kid with horns about a meeting tomorrow—well, today now. I don’t know what it was about, but he was really mean to the kid. I didn’t like it.”
“What meeting? Where, when?”
“Somewhere called the pits? And oh-eight hundred, whatever that means.”
I run through the conversation with Kari last night. Maybe it was a test. They want to know what value I’d bring to an alliance. They want to know if I could figure it out.
Maybe.
That or I’m about to just show up to their secret meeting unannounced and really piss them off. I pull on my new tunic, one small part of my new wardrobe supplied by my court and a few generous rebel sympathizers. I have a new set of swords, much like my old. I also have a warm jacket and potions.
Still missing those allies, though—for now.
“Where are you going?” Raven asks.
“To find that meeting.”
RAVEN FLIES OVERHEAD, back in her owl form, just in case, as I march through the palace grounds.
I’m not well versed in this kingdom, having never visited in my childhood—we weren’t good enough to be invited. And now that I’m here as a hated outcast, I wasn’t exactly given a tour of the place.
Usually the term “pits” would imply a fighting pit of some kind. The two most likely places for that would be out across the grounds or in the dungeons. I’m not eager to explore the latter and I hadn’t seen anything relevant during my workouts around the lake, so I start out at the south side, looking for any large structures that could be an ancient amphitheater.
Raven squawks in the distance, and I increase my speed to a quick run, my sore back roaring in protest. Only five more minutes until the meeting time.
I’m hoping I didn’t get the worst injuries during that first challenge because I’m already the underdog here. After my dwarf friend rejected me, I’m all on my own.
Although, as a massive, old stone structure comes into view around the east side of the estate, I find myself hoping for a change in fortunes.
I WALK SLOWLY THROUGH the arches. I keep my breath even but a drip of sweat rolls down my temple.
The browned stone had crumbled in places, but the architecture is quite fascinating. Just knowing how old a building like this is, astounds me. Humans think their ancient structures are old. This one may be twice as old as the colosseum, if not older.
Stone in the form of seats stretch around in a circle like a stadium with a dirt covered
arena in the middle. The whole structure is probably only large enough to hold a few hundred spectators. That would imply this was a piece of Flicker Court culture long before the Flicker Court even existed.
Standing in the middle of the dust-covered arena are three forms. I suppose I successfully found the “pits.”
“You came,” Drake says. His lips curl into a quick smile, telling me he isn’t at all surprised to see me.
He’s the perfect fae prince charming, in a golden tunic, matching his gold locks which are tossed into a man-bun. His striking blue eyes examine me closely. He is powerful, and he wants me to know it.
“Let me introduce my team. Caspian of the Glistening Court and Kari of the Crystal Court.” Drake waves his hand dismissively. “I am Drake of the Whirling. I assume you know that already.”
“Why would you assume that?” I tilt my head innocently. We spoke last night, but had a never a formal introduction.
Kari snickers, and Drake shoots her a glare. I smile wide, making sure to hold on to my veil of anger and pain swirling inside. My sources of joy are limited mostly to wicked enjoyment, which doesn’t affect my eye color, but I can’t take that chance right now.
If this is what I suspect, the deal would be off the moment they caught even a hint at the extent of my power.
“How did you know about our meeting?” Kari asks.
I shrug. “I have my ways.”
She chuckles. “I’m sure you do. The Shadow Court has always been known for their ability to wield secrets. I’d wondered if you held the same ability.”
If only they knew my spying abilities came in the form of a human masquerading as a bird.
“It’s certainly not my only talent.”
“I assume you’re here out of desire to align with us,” Drake says, examining his cuticles.
“Perhaps.”
“We are three of the strongest champions in the competition. As I suspect you’d already gathered, alliances are forming within the trials. You do not have any, do you?” His voice rises in pitch. An attempt at innocence or condescension? My guess is both.
“I do not.” I say honestly, resisting the urge to leer at him. He’s right. I need alliances, and I don’t have any.
“If the dwarf were smart, he’d have aligned with you,” Kari says. “But I noticed your interaction last night. It didn’t seem very... cozy.”
“It wasn’t,” I admit. I examine the Crystal Court champion. She’s smart, poised, her eyes a lovely purple and likely underestimated. She’ll be a difficult opponent to defeat. “He said he wasn’t willing to befriend a murderer.”
Drake grins, but Caspian curls a lip in disgust. Apparently, he feels the same.
“So sad when past mistakes continue to bite us in the butt, isn’t it?” Drake says.
“Not really,” I say. “That’s simply called consequences. Without them, our world goes to shit.”
Kari narrows her eyes as she examines me. “Do you not wish to win the trials, then?”
Drake turns a glare to her. “Why wouldn’t she?”
Kari doesn’t take her eyes off of me. “Are you just trying to make a point? Or do you have another goal?”
I shake my head. “I intend to win.”
Caspian rolls his eyes. Drake grins—he doesn’t think I have a chance. Kari continues to watch me with quiet consideration.
“Winning the trials is as much a punishment as it is reward.” And I believe I’m the right one to enter hell in search for a cure.
“You seek redemption,” she says with a nod.
I shrug. “A form of it, I suppose.” I clamp my mouth shut after that, knowing if I continue, I won’t be doing myself any favors. I want them to think they have something to give me that I’d sincerely desire—other than winning the trials. Let them think they have the upper hand, that they have what I desperately desire in the palm of their hand.
Confident people make mistakes.
“What makes you think we’d want you with us?” Caspian says, clearly annoyed. “You’re visibly weak. What value would you bring?”
I raise my eyebrows.
“I don’t know,” Kari says. “Riding a shadow-vyrn? That was pretty badass.”
I smile but ignore her interjection. “Distraction,” I say, answering Caspian’s concern directly. “So long as I’m in the trials, Rev and his allies are distracted with their bloodlust.”
Kari crosses her arms but smiles widely. She likes this answer. Drake too, looks impressed.
I know without a doubt that they’d wanted me to show up to this meeting. They want me as part of their alliance—well, not Caspian, clearly, but the other two. And this is the reason why.
“It’s an interesting proposition,” Drake says. “We are one of two major alliances left in the trials. The other is Reveln, Rook, and Brielle. Perhaps we could stand to use another on our side.”
“They’re a pretty tight alliance. Friends for years, and I hear Rev and Brielle are an item now.” Kari winks, causing my stomach to sink.
“That’s disgusting,” Caspian says.
“Why?” I can’t help but ask. What would be disgusting about two fae courting?
“Boning your dead brother’s fated mate?” He shivers.
My blood runs cold. Brielle was Reahgan’s mate? I... hadn’t realized.
“They were never together, what does it matter?” Kari asks.
“Anyway,” Drake says. “All three of them, I know for certain, have sworn to kill you at the first opportunity. So, I can see how advantageous a strong alliance would be for you.”
And why he can trust I won’t turn on him. Alone, I’m unlikely to survive. “They’ve already tried,” I admit.
“They attacked you?” Caspian asks.
“They set a trap for me during the first trial.” I leave it simple. No need to give them more details than necessary. “It didn’t work.”
“They’ll try harder,” Drake says matter-of-factly.
“I don’t doubt it.”
“They didn’t think you had much of a chance at surviving that challenge, so I’m confident their attempt was halfhearted. You surprised us all, if I’m honest.”
First honest thing you’ve said today.
“I, for one, think you’ve been punished enough,” he continues. “You were only a child, after all. Even in the human world they don’t judge a child’s actions the same as an adult’s.” His tone is so sweet I almost gag.
I hold my breath, schooling every feature not to show my utter distain and disgust. I need this alliance. I need them to at least think I’m on their side for another challenge or two. If they’ll defend me against my real enemies—who will try to kill me—then I have to take it. I clench my hands into fits but otherwise manage to keep my expression calm.
“So, is it a deal?” I ask.
“We’ll take it under consideration.”
I clench my jaw. They made it clear they have the upper hand. They’re interested in the alliance, but they know I need them more than they need me.
Rev
I stand at the edge of the ruby gates inside the training room, looking up at the intricate design, breathing deep and steady. I am ready.
“You ever think what our life would have been like if she’d never been born?” Brielle’s voice is soft beside me. The other champions gather behind us, but my focus is sharp. Facing only what lies before me.
I clench my jaw. “Every day.”
“Do you think things happen for a reason?”
“No.” I feel her wince at my harsh tone but refuse to look. “I think the world is shit, and we just have to do what we can with it.”
“We’re going to kill her,” she says, the venom in her voice terrifying. She repeats the same mantra every day. We will kill her.
“Yes,” I hiss. Even if I have to sacrifice my own life to do it. My brother’s murderer will meet her end before the end of the month. I’d rather not destroy all my prospects to achieve it—I’d rat
her not take my own life to steal hers—but I will. If that’s what it takes.
The doors swing wide and the remaining eight contestants walk out into the sunlight. I march, my head high as the crowd screams. I lead the pack. The rest of the champions march behind me.
At the end of the massive arena are the thorn gates that marked the beginning and ending of our first trial. Below the thorn arch, near the middle of the arena stands an orb of glistening black. Inside are three figures.
A pixie flies overhead, past the champions and over the crowd who cheers for her. She lands on top of the translucent black orb. “Welcome, champions, to your second trial! Today, you will each, one by one, enter the orb of despair. You must face your deepest regrets, and darkest fears in order to succeed.”
The crowd oohs and ahhs. “It isn’t as simple as it sounds, though. You won’t be facing your fear of spiders or heights. You will be facing nightmares made real. Some of you will be forced to reenact your greatest regrets. Some of you must watch the worst moments of your life unfold without lifting a finger. You will not be reversing the darkness in your minds and souls and lives. You must accept them. You must make them part of you. The magic inside this orb can look deep into your soul and learn everything about you in a moment. It will choose your task. Whatever will be the hardest for you to achieve. That is what you must do to move forward in this competition.”
The crowd roars. Well, this is going to be interesting. I have a feeling there are going to be a few overlapping events the orb will showcase today. Mine, Brielle’s, and the murderer’s—will we all be reliving my brother’s death?
“The crowd will not be able to see what you face. No one but the champion inside will witness the horrors they face, and none will be forced to share. What we will be able to see is your actions and reaction. Nothing more.”
So, they’ll be able to guess what you’re facing based on what your body does.
I clench my jaw tightly.
“If you cannot achieve the task the orb sets for you, your trials will be ended and you will no longer be a champion in the Trial of Thorns.”
Trial of Thorns (Wicked Fae Book 1) Page 10
