Chapter 21
The women finished making their plans before heading to the great hall for breakfast. Sariyah stopped them outside the doors while she listened to the room beyond. Rosalinde had a bit less decorum than her mother, peeking around the door to see what was going on.
Every table was full of Elementalists; those competing in the Great Match sat with the entourages they’d brought, shared conversations with the other house nobles, or begged drinks from passing servants. The room was loud and boisterous, none seeming concerned about their missing king.
The herald announced the arrival of the Queen and her daughters. Voices stopped mid-sentence as the assembly rose for their entrance. Chairs and benches scraped against the stone, but all other sounds ceased while the women took their places.
Behind the royal seats, the Great Match judges stood waiting to deliver the results from the previous day. Rather than begin with the plan they had concocted, Sariyah waved the judges forward to give the results. The whole room seemed to lean in closer, as if it would help them hear better.
One of the judges stepped forward. He was an older man, late sixties perhaps, with thick white hair brushed back from a large forehead being overrun by bushy eyebrows. He wore a silver armband denoting he was a member of Air house. “Esteemed guests, may I present the scores of our fine Air competitors this year: Merritt Mahone, six; Jericho Tevachaly, seven; Graeme Monsanato, ten.”
A stern-looking woman with a green armband stepped forward as the Air judge moved back in line. Despite her rigid appearance, her voice was sweet as she said, “I am pleased to announce the scores of Earth house: Beckett Chastain, seven; Keaton Page, two; Lyzandor Zolto, nine.”
Rosalinde smiled to herself. Things were going just as her sister had predicted. Though she wasn’t sure how Elsa had gotten the results, she supposed it didn’t really matter. All that mattered was getting through breakfast so they could leave to find her father.
She looked down at the blood still sitting on her hand, still guiding her path. It was the only lead she had and she was terrified something would go wrong. She’d been very careful not to wipe her hand against anything or even wash it when she had cleansed the rest of her body. If something happened to that single drop of blood, she would lose any chance she had of bringing her father back.
Ros looked up as she felt someone watching her. Her gaze immediately found Cassian’s. From the other end of the table, he pointed to the palm of his own hand as if to ask about the blood on hers. She nodded and gave him a smile. She was pleased to see the relief on his face, as if his expression confirmed the things she had told her family about him.
As the nonbinary judge finished giving the scores of Fire house, Ros realized she hadn’t been paying attention. One glance to Florian’s dour expression was all the confirmation she needed that he had not done as well as he wished, but he still led the other Fire competitors, though not by much. The other nobles slapping his back showed him to be the favorite of his house, as Elsa had stated.
The Water house judge was a friend of Rosalinde’s mother, a well-to-do merchant named Marina van Howson. She was always well-dressed, today being no exception. Marina wowed in a stunning outfit of silk in various shades of blue that made her eyes as bright as a summer sky. She announced Teague in the lead, as expected, with a ten. William and Nico were right behind him with a nine and an eight, respectively.
“Because we have no Night house judge,” Marina continued, “I will give the score of our rarest competitor: Cassian Scalise, eight.”
Eight, Ros thought. She had given him a one, and he still managed one of the highest scores. Had she scored him appropriately rather than out of fear and hurt, he would’ve equaled Graeme and Teague.
As soon as Marina stepped aside, Queen Sariyah stood. “Thank you, dear friends and judges, for delivering the verdicts for yesterday’s opening ceremony. It seems as if this year’s competition is one of talented mages indeed.” She raised her glass and said, “A toast, to all our fine participants: may you be forever blessed by your gifts, your houses, and the elements.”
“The elements,” the crowd echoed, raising glasses of their own.
As they tipped back their glasses and sat back down, Queen Sariyah said, “Though I’m grateful for the gifted Elementalists competing for my daughter’s hand, this year’s Great Match will not be the standard format you’re used to. As you all know, our beloved king is missing. Naturally, this changes how we proceed.”
Hessian Barclay was on his feet before she’d finished speaking. “You can’t change the format of the Match at your whim. With King Tancred missing, decisions should fall to the house rulers.”
Ros stood next to her mother, lifting her head in defiance of Hessian’s words. “That’s presumptuous of you, Lord Barclay, considering I’m the heir to the Talabrih throne. If anyone is going to decide my fate, it will be me.”
“I did not mean offense,” he clipped out. “But your judgement may be clouded in this area. You would not be the first young person to be swayed by a pretty face.”
“I assure you, I am unmoved by the contestants thus far. My heart is with my father, not the competition.”
“A perfect example of why we should continue with the rulers assisting you.”
Elsa cleared her throat, reminding Ros to keep her cool. Rosalinde was thankful her sister and mother were able to handle their emotions so easily, but something about Hessian Barclay set her teeth on edge.
Ros clenched her fists at her side while forcing a smile. “Not to worry, noble Elementalists. Today I leave to find my father, and with his return, I will be able to give myself fully to the process.”
“You expect us to wait around while you go on a wild quest? That’s hardly reasonable.”
“Of course not,” Sariyah said. “That would never do. Instead, Princess Rosalinde will select a hero from each house to accompany her and she will choose her husband from among them.”
Barclay scoffed, but Ros spoke before he could object. “Thanks to the judges’ announcement, the selection has already been made. I will take the mage with the highest score from each house.”
There was a grumble throughout the room as eight hopefuls and those accompanying them realized they were being dismissed without receiving the full week to impress. Before they could grow too upset, Queen Sariyah said, “I understand this is a disappointment for some of you. Though the rest of you will not get a chance to marry my daughter, we would like to offer you an alternative arrangement to make up for the change.”
Elsabet stood and said, “There are multiple nobles of marrying age. We will invite them to the castle for three days, to hold a miniature Match for you, allowing you to find the best prospect from among them. In addition, the crown will provide an extra dowry for whomever you choose, essentially making each person equal to the next, giving you the opportunity to choose based on the quality of your connection with the individual.”
There was silence in the room for a moment, but it quickly erupted as the nobles began talking to one another about the proposition. The women had expected this, counted on it even; it was the next part that would determine the course for everything else.
While the other houses argued, Cassian Scalise sauntered forward from his place at the table and bowed low. The other Elementalists quieted to hear him say, “Your proposal is fair and prudent. Though I am the lone representative of Night house, I offer myself to your disposal. Command me as you see fit.”
“Thank you, Lord Scalise, for your kindness. We are grateful for the assistance and look forward to forging a strong relationship with Night house,” the queen said.
There was a pause after he spoke, but it was soon followed by Florian, Dryden, and Nariq from Fire house stepping forward from their seats and bowing to Sariyah, Ros, and Elsa. Rosalinde’s gaze flicked to the Fire house ruler and Florian’s father, Gilthroy le Fevre. His long fair hair was pulled back from his rugged face—sharp angles that Florian inher
ited—while his seafoam eyes focused on his son. His look made it clear he was relying on his son to deliver the message for his house, whatever it may be.
Florian gave a broad, charming smile as he looked between the women. “The Elementalists of Fire house accept your proposal and will do everything we can to help find King Tancred. We are at your service.”
Sariyah matched his expression, saying, “Great friends, we thank you for your understanding and acceptance.”
Even as she spoke, the ruler of Earth house stepped forward with her competitors in tow. Lady Valeria Auguste was a young woman only a few years older than Ros. In fact, Ros still remembered watching Valeria’s Great Match five or six years ago. Despite her age, she was a formidable woman, eager to battle with words, wise in the ways youth seldom are. She had a strong aptitude for ruling, returning her house to a prosperity it hadn’t known for generations.
“Earth house accepts your wisdom in this situation, Queen Sariyah. We place our trust in Princess Rosalinde to find the match that will best serve her life on the throne, as well as the lives of her people. Command us as you see fit.”
Nico, Teague, and William came forward. For a moment, Ros wondered why they stood but did not speak. Then she realized with her father gone, she was the ruler of Water house. She stepped forward to them and said, “Though I am ruler of your house, I will not command you to agree to these terms. The choice must be yours.”
Teague nodded and said, “With respect, Your Highness, I must decline the opportunity to accompany you. My place is here, in the medical unit.”
“I understand and wish you well,” Ros said. “I relinquish any claim to your heart or your hand and free you of the bond of the Great Match. Return to your patients with my blessing.”
William lifted his chin and said, “As the second highest score of Water house, it would be my honor to join you.”
“I accept your offer, good sir,” Ros said. She turned to Nico and asked, “Lord Bardeaux, will you agree to the arrangement my sister proposed?”
He nodded. “As it pleases you, Your Highness.”
Ros looked out to Hessian Barclay. He was still in a heated discussion with the mages of Air house, seeming to have missed the other houses pledging their acceptance of the changes to the Great Match. Rosalinde said, “Air house, have you made a decision?”
Graeme Monsanato pulled his arm out of Barclay’s grip and stormed forward. He dropped to his knee and said, “My Lady, I will do everything in my power to assist in finding my king. Though the rest of my house may be in turmoil, my heart is decidedly yours.”
Ros blinked, surprised by his declaration. The other house rulers seemed to be fine with the changes, but the scowl on Hessian’s face made it clear he was not. Elsa had said Barclay would agree since they were choosing the house favorites, but it seemed he had placed his favor on someone other than Graeme. Ros wasn’t sure which mage he wanted to win, but it didn’t matter now. The remaining Air Elementalists, Jericho and Merritt, made their way forward and gave their agreement to abide by the plan.
With Sariyah and Elsa set to iron out the details of the miniature Match with the house lords, Rosalinde was now ready to search for King Tancred. She looked down at the tiny drop of blood in her hand, knowing it would lead her where she wanted to go. She turned in the direction the blood was pointing, and when she looked up, she wasn’t surprised to see Cassian smiling back.
Chapter 22
The sun was long faded behind the distant mountains when Ros finally agreed to stop. She would have continued until she was exhausted, physically incapable of going further, if Cassian hadn’t been there to convince her of the futility of it. It was too dark too see where they were going and too dangerous to keep pressing on. Besides, she could barely make out the blood on her hand as the darkness clung to her like a wet shirt, dripping midnight.
They’d been riding since midday. There had been very little fanfare as they left the castle, just a few rushed goodbyes and well wishes. The servants had packed bags of food for them as well as some warm clothes and traveling provisions. The queen had assigned guards to go with them, but Rosalinde had dismissed them summarily, knowing they would do nothing but slow her down.
Graeme had wanted to use his wind phoenix to travel, and Ros had been eager to agree to the speed, but the Air mage wasn’t sure he could carry everyone. There was also a concern that she would lose access to her blood token, as they weren’t sure exactly how it worked. It was obviously spelled or it would’ve dried up or washed off by now, despite Rosalinde’s careful attempts to keep it protected. In the end, it was safer to take Cassian’s horses.
Rosalinde rode atop the piebald, Mercutio, while Cassian took the moody Palomino, Desdemona. Ros didn’t know the names of the others, but she had watched with interest as each seemed to choose their rider rather than the other way around. Florian found himself on the blood bay, looking for all the world like a terrified little boy who’d never seen a horse in his life. William rode the dapple gray, smoothing her hair and whispering kind words of encouragement as they plodded along. Zandor was at ease on the white, a natural in the saddle, while Graeme took the midnight black beauty who seemed as wary of him as he was of her.
Ros looked down at her hand one last time, trying to make out the dark spot on her palm. No matter how much she wanted to continue, she knew stopping was the right decision.
“Don’t worry, Princess. We’ll start fresh in the morning,” Cassian said. He reached up to help her down from Mercutio.
“I know,” she sighed as she climbed down. “I just don’t want to waste any time. He could be hurt or in danger.”
“So could we, if we don’t stop. We can’t risk taking the horses over ground we can’t see.”
She nodded, but her heart ached at the thought of her father out there somewhere, unable to save himself from whoever or whatever had done this.
“I’ll get a fire going,” Florian said, pulling Ros from her thoughts.
“No, wait,” Cassian said.
But it was too late. He grabbed the reins of the closest horses as a bolt of lightning shot from Florian’s hand. The fire caught, giving them enough light to see Florian and Graeme’s horses running towards the tree line in a tizzy. Cassian cursed, then growled, “I guess I’ll grab Minola and Lady Macbeth.”
“I can help,” Zandor said.
Cassian’s eyes narrowed for a moment, but the expression was gone before it had a chance to take shape. With a nod, the two went in search of the frightened animals.
Ros watched the interaction, unsure what to expect. The obvious disdain Zandor had for Cassian was frustrating and misplaced, but Ros knew talking to him about it wouldn’t help. Zandor was worried about her, didn’t trust Cassian, and though she didn’t want to admit it, she was certain he was a bit jealous. She hoped it would change while they were out on their quest, but until it did, there wasn’t much she could do about it.
“Hungry, Princess? I can get some food started,” William said. He gave Ros a smile. “I’m a surprisingly good cook, you know.”
“That’s wonderful news, because I’m rubbish,” Ros said.
She looked between the three mages unpacking near the fire, wondering what these men were thinking and whether or not they wished they were somewhere else. Their words had been genuine back in the great hall, she was sure, but offering help became something different when it meant sleeping on the hard ground. It was only the first night, but still, they were here and she was grateful.
“You can call me Ros,” she said, directing her words to the three of them. “No need for titles or formalities out here.”
William smiled up from the food he was organizing. “Pleasure to know you, Ros. I’m Will.”
“I’m still Florian,” the Fire mage said. Though he smiled with the words, Ros was sure she heard a little snark in his tone.
“Ah yes, the same ass as always, no matter what you call him,” Graeme said, the same forced smile and
snarky tone Florian had used.
“Are we going to do this now, in front of the Princess?” Florian asked.
“I’m sure Lady Ros is as repulsed by your attitude as the rest of us. We’re here to find our king, her beloved father, not to play at being nobles or act like we’re too good to be out here.”
Florian sighed. “I said my name, Graeme, nothing more.”
“You’ve made your snide comments all afternoon, from complaints about your horse to the weather to the direction of the wind. We haven’t been away from our creature comforts for a full day and you’re already unbearable.”
“You are so predictable,” Florian said, rolling his eyes. “If you really want to do this, why not tell Ros what you’re really mad about.”
Will tried to cut in, saying, “Maybe we should all calm down—”
“Stay out of this, Will. Graeme has something to tell our princess,” Florian said.
Ros folded her arms across her chest. “This needs to stop. Now. I don’t need to hear whatever sordid thing happened between the two of you.”
Florian smirked. “Isn’t this your time to get to know us so you can make an informed decision? Because really, this is something you should know.”
Without a word, Graeme stormed away from the fire.
Ros glared daggers at Florian, saying, “Whatever your problem is, you need to drop it. Pick it back up when we return to the castle if you must, but out here, we are all we have. We need to be able to rely on one another.”
Chapter 23
She stood and followed Graeme into the darkness. Away from the fire, the night took over again. The Air mage was nothing more than a shadow against the black of the terrain, but the darkness did nothing to hide his heavy, ragged breathing.
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