by Dyan Chick
Lillian hesitated, then stretched her hand out clasping mine. We shook. "Only until we find out who is behind this. As far as the trial goes, it's still every candidate for themselves. Just because we're calling a truce behind closed doors, doesn't mean I will go easier on you."
"I wouldn't have it any other way."
Lillian left the room first, and after giving her a head start, I headed back toward my room. Nani was sitting on the couch and jumped her feet as soon as she saw me. I close the door behind me and stepped into my bedroom. "It's fine. Everything's fine. It wasn't exactly the truth, but it wasn't a lie either.
"Have the guardsmen been compromised?” Nani asked. "Did you speak with the queen?"
“No, she didn't speak with me. But yes, in a way the guardsmen were. It was Lillian. She wanted to have a conversation with me and she knew I would flee.”
"She's more trouble than I anticipated," Nani said. "She's crafty."
"She is. But I learned tonight that she wants to win just as badly as I do. And that I shouldn't underestimate her." I wasn't sure why I was keeping the rest from Nani, as I certainly trusted her. But for some reason, I couldn't bring myself to share the rest. She had worried about me since I was a child and I didn't want to cause her any more worry than I had already. As it was, the concern over the other candidates taking each other out had to be hard on her. If I added in the fact that someone outside of the four of us was trying to sabotage the trials or murder the candidates, it would escalate her fears.
"How long before dinner?" I asked.
"I sent word that you'd rather dine alone tonight."
"That was brilliant, thank you, Nani," I said. "I'm going to see if I can catch Malin."
Malin's room is three doors down from mine. I wasn't sure if there was anyone in the rooms between us, as I had never seen anyone go in or out from them. I knocked on her door, going through the words in my head on how I should phrase things to her. I was sure Lillian was explaining everything to Rose and the four of us had to reach an understanding in order to uncover the corruption behind today's attacks. If the four of us were too busy trying to take each other out, whoever was behind the scenes will go unnoticed and unpunished. And we couldn't have that. No matter who became queen, we didn't want someone with that level of deviance working for any of us. Malin was dressed for dinner when she answered the door and her brow furrowed in confusion as she took in my training clothes.
"Am I missing something?"
“Sort of. I'll fill you in,” I said as I let myself in her room. She closed the door behind me and rustled of silk and chiffon. The two of us sat in the chairs positioned in front of her fireplace, her room nearly a twin to mine.
"Lillian paid me a visit," I said. "Is that what explains the blood on your arm?" Malin asked.
I look down at my torn sleeve and the dried blood surrounding the still fresh wound. I had forgotten about it. "Yes. That was Lillian's handiwork."
"I hope what you did to her was worse," Malin said with a scowl.
"Not exactly," I said. "I found out that while we were nearly drowned, Lillian and Rose were nearly burned alive."
"I don't understand," Malin said.
"We're not sure either. But it seems someone set each of us up in the hopes to take us down and blame the other pair."
"So Lillian wasn't behind our near drowning this morning?" Malin asked.
"No, she wasn't."
"And you believe her?".
"I do. Just as I believe that neither of us had anything to do with the mysterious fireball landing on them during their training."
Malin gasped and covered her mouth. "A fireball? Are they all right?"
"Rose was hurt. But Lillian says she shall be okay in a couple of days."
"What does this mean?" Malin asked.
"It means we have a common enemy. Someone that's not one of the candidates is trying to sabotage Queen’s Trial. Whoever's behind it is trying to kill all of us or get us to kill each other at the very least." I stood. "For now, Lillian and Rose have agreed to play fair, as do we. However, we mustn't let on that we've reached this arrangement as it could draw suspicions from whoever is trying to do this. Between the four of us, we can catch this assailant."
Malin stood. "All right, I'm in. It won't be too difficult to continue acting like we can't stand Lillian and Rose." She grinned.
"That's true. We may have reached a temporary truce, but it doesn't mean we have to like them."
"I'll see you in the morning" I said.
"You aren’t going to dinner?" Malin asked.
"No, tonight, let whoever tried to drown us think they got one. Let them think they scared me. Let them think I'm hiding in fear. When we come for them it will be that much sweeter because they won't expect it." I walked toward the door. "Outdoor training tomorrow? Perhaps a horseback ride?"
"That sounds perfect." Malin said.
Chapter Eleven
Malin and I met in the stables. We stood in awkward silence as the grooms prepared the horses for us. I watched them closer than I usually would, making sure nothing was done incorrectly. Last night before bed. I had felt determined and empowered to find whoever was behind the attacks. But in the light of day, knowing we had an unseen enemy, my confidence was wavering.
There was no way of knowing if more attacks were coming, or if the perpetrator would give up after their failed attempts. Clearly, whoever was behind it was either a magic user themselves or had employed the assistance of someone quite powerful. I wondered if we should be focusing on anyone from the summer court because of the fire. I still wasn't sure how they had managed to flood the entire lower level of the palace, but I worried that if I investigated too deeply or asked too many questions whoever was behind this might realize we were on to them.
My chest felt heavy as I realized that I was hoping the perpetrator would attack again, giving us the opportunity to find out who was behind it. I just hoped if they did follow through with another attack, everyone would survive.
The crisp air stung my cheeks as we picked up speed outside the palace grounds. Despite the queen’s warning and the general state of heightened fear within the guard, they had let us pass through the invisible shield that walls off the palace from the road beyond. We didn't have a destination, but Malin and I both rode hard, pushing our horses and sending clouds of dust floating up around us. I think the horses could sense our restless energy and matched pace to help us run it out of our system. I reached a point where I felt the weight of Queen’s Trial lift from my shoulders. Malin probably felt the same relief. We looked at each other, both breathless. Her hair was a wild mane around her head, and I was sure my curls were just as messy.
I breathed deeply, a smile creeping onto my face as I caught my breath. We were miles from the palace, surrounded by the vast openness of nothing. It felt good, free, safe. I knew the safety was an illusion and never lasted long in Faerie. There were monsters here, creatures that traveled in from the Under and those with political ambition who allowed their ambition to destroy them, turning them into something far worse than any of the monsters.
Right now, that was my greatest threat. At least with the creatures from the Under, you knew what you were facing. They didn't attack in secret and remain hidden. They faced you head on, attacking you with everything they had all at one. I never thought there would be a day where I longed for that kind of villain.
"There's a storm coming in," Malin said. I followed her gaze toward the steely gray clouds in the distance. The wind had picked up turning the autumn chill into something colder. It felt like snow. I could almost taste it in the air. According to the history book I had been reading, all four courts used to experience every season. They were given the names based on the way their magic aligned with each season rather than the weather. After the Winter Court split from the other three, it was frozen in an eternal winter. The other courts stayed in their respective seasons as well, no longer rotating through all of them. It hadn’t sno
wed in any court beside the Winter Court since that time. Yet, this looked like snow. Perhaps it was just a thunderstorm.
“We better get back,” I said, eyeing the clouds.
“Let’s go,” Malin agreed.
We turned the horses around and headed back in the direction we came from. Thankfully, we didn't encounter anything, beast or Fae, during the ride.
The palace was abuzz with activity as we stepped back in through the front doors. Servants in blue flitted about, placing flowers, hanging garlands, carrying dishes, linens, and pots full of sparkling gems. Even the guards had stepped in to help with the preparation for the ball.
Tomorrow night, all of the nobles and highest houses would be present for the official kickoff of the Queen’s Trial. Tomorrow night we would dance, eat, and celebrate. We would pretend to be joyous as we tried not to let the weight of Queen’s Trial creep in around us.
I glanced at Malin. Her face was pale and her eyes wide as she took in the activity in the palace. Just like me, she wasn’t viewing this party as a celebration. Even with our temporary truce, we still had to survive the trials themselves.
My greatest threat might not come from Lillian and Rose as I had expected because in addition to them trying to beat me in whatever challenges were thrown at us, there the added danger of our hidden attacker. I shuddered at the thought. Queen’s Trial was shaping up to be more dangerous than expected.
Signing my name, I finished my letter to Tristan. As I carefully folded the paper, I wished I could slide to where he was. I hadn’t heard from the winter prince in a week. The only thing that was helping keep my spirits up was the fact that I had felt nothing troubling between us. The bond we shared differed from the way I connected with the other princes and I knew that if he were in trouble, I’d feel it right away.
Tomorrow at the ball, I’d finally be able to see my consorts, but I was beginning to worry that none of them would be able to attend. I didn’t count on Tristan coming until things were more stable for him. Cormac’s duties had sent him home immediately after arriving, and Dane had things to make up for at the Academy. Hopefully, Ethan could get away.
Would this be what it was like if I were queen? My princes had duties to their family in addition to the kingdom and I would never interfere with those. Perhaps that was why a queen was allowed so many consorts. My mother had three and I had yet to see any of them. Were they all away fighting monsters or working on other things?
I pushed the thoughts aside. Unless I won the trials that started after the ball, none of these worries mattered. My priority had to be staying alive and winning. I knew how important these trials were. Not only for the sake of finding the next queen, but for my own survival. Although I wanted to win to be a just ruler, self-preservation was also a great motivator. I was a threat to anyone who sat on that throne, which meant I had to make sure I was the one on there.
Chapter Twelve
All training ceased the day of the ball. All the candidates were expected to put on our best performance tonight as refined ladies. One of us would be queen after all, and the nobles expected to see us act the part.
Breakfast was served in my room while Nani made a fuss over making sure I looked perfect. She’d gathered beads and other things that glittered to add to my hair and at some point during the last week, she’d managed to have a new dress made for me.
The dress I wore was unlike anything I had ever seen or felt. The fabric changed colors depending on the light from silver to deep burgundy to gold, and then emerald green. The colors blending together in one iridescent shimmering fabric. Cut so my shoulders were uncovered, the bodice was fitted to my curves and stopped at my waist. From there, the fabric swirled around me in a wide skirt that flowed and shimmered, changing color with each step.
“Nani, it’s beautiful,” I said.
“They should know who you are,” she said. “No more hiding. You’re a princess in your own right and you wield the magic of all four courts. Don’t ever let them forget that.”
I smiled. “Thank you, Nani.”
Nani applied a shimmering powder on my cheeks and eyelids and painted a stain on my lips. Her soft touches of make-up reminded me all too much of my ill-fated wedding day. I hoped tonight was nothing like that day.
When the knock sounded at the door, I stood without thinking. It was time to go to the ball. While I knew I must be on my best behavior tonight and impress as many nobles as I could, I couldn’t bring myself to smile as I waited for Nani to open the door. Was I going to be the only candidate without her consorts at the ball? Would that matter?
I could handle the judgment of others, but I missed my mates. I wanted them by my side for this. I wanted them by my side all the time. A week without them was a long time and it was weighing heavily on my soul.
“Cassia, it’s time,” Nani said as she opened the door.
Two guards stood in front of the door and I tensed at the sight of them. Then, they moved aside, allowing a third figure to emerge.
Everything inside me came alive at the sight to Cormac framed by the doorway. His green eyes found mine, a smile on his full lips.
He was dressed in a fitted deep gold tunic that made him look even more handsome than I remembered. He inclined his head. “My lady.”
I bit down on the inside of my cheek, trying to prevent myself from crying tears of joy. My heart felt like it was swelling, filling my chest with happy flutters. “I didn’t think you’d make it.”
“I wouldn’t miss this for the world.” He bent his arm and offered his elbow.
I set my hand on his forearm, feeling his familiar firm muscles. He was here. My Cormac, my sullen prince, was here. Having him by my side sent a fresh wave of confidence though me. I didn’t have to do this alone. If I managed to win, I knew that I could count on my princes to support me. They might not all be here at the same time, but having one of them with me was enough to make me forget my troubles. Even if nothing else went right about the trials, at least for tonight, I was happy.
There was so much I wanted to tell him, so many things I wanted to ask him about. Out of all of my mates, Cormac was the one I wished I had here with me the most to help me figure out my next steps. He was never easy on me and he always pushed me. I needed that right now. I hoped we had a chance to talk alone tonight.
Walking into the ballroom was like walking into a magical forest. The walls were lined with trees, their branches arching out over the ceiling to form a canopy of orange and red. Gold fireflies danced and bobbed between the leaves, making everything sparkle with fluttering lights. Even the ballroom floor, which was a rich dark wood, was covered in shimmering gold dust that floated above the ground whenever anyone stepped on it.
The party was in full swing, Fae from every court were dancing, eating, drinking, or talking in small groups around the room. It was a cacophony of sound and overwhelming to the senses.
On the far end of the room, the queen sat in a gold throne upon a dais. Four guards stood behind her. Next to her were three smaller thrones and on each throne sat a handsome male Fae.
It was the first time I’d seen the queen’s consorts and I couldn’t help but stare at them. Two had fair hair and blue eyes. The third had dark hair and dark eyes. All of them were smiling while watching the festivities below. I wondered if formal occasions like this was the only time she got to have all of them with her.
“Would you like a drink?” Cormac asked.
I tore my gaze away from the queen and looked at my handsome date. “That sounds good.”
Cormac guided me toward a long table staffed with servants. Tonight, they’d abandoned their usual pale blue clothes for burgundy and gold tunics and dresses. They looked happier than I’d seen any other servant before.
A female servant with long red curls and bright green eyes inclined her head toward me. “Wine, my lady?”
“Yes, please,” I said.
She filled a glass with wine from a bottle, then leaned across the ta
ble to hand it to me. “You’re not safe,” she whispered.
I took the glass from her, my brow furrowed. “What do you mean?”
“We hear things, sometimes,” she said.
Another couple walked over to where I was standing and the servant straightened, fixing a smile on her face as she greeted the newcomers.
“What was that about?” Cormac whispered.
“I’ll tell you in a minute,” I said, then I turned back to the servant. “Excuse me, what is your name?”
“Lucinda, my lady,” she said.
“Thank you, Lucinda,” I said. Then, I dragged Cormac away from the table, leading him to a private corner.
“She said I’m not safe, that she hears things,” I said.
“That’s not surprising,” he said. “Servants are ignored by most Fae. They probably know more than anyone about what’s going on inside the palace.”
“I want to speak with her again,” I said. “Is there a way I can do that without raising suspicion for her?”
“Have you taken any ladies to help you in your room?” he asked.
“I have Nani,” I said.
He smiled. “How did I know you’d refuse help.”
“I don’t need the help,” I said. “Besides, you know how I feel about servants.”
“I know,” he said. “But in this case, you need to keep that fact hidden. Request her for your rooms. Tell the guards she’s who you choose. Don’t give reasons. Act your station.”
“My station is supposed to demand things?” I asked.
“You can do it nicely, but don’t give reasons. It’ll make you look suspicious. Simply say you’re requesting her.”
“Alright,” I said. “Please tell me you’re staying here. This is exactly why I need you. I don’t know how I’m going to get through the trials.”
“You’ll be fine. There’s nothing about royal etiquette on the trials,” he said.