A smirk tugs my lips up as I meet his eyes, but I can feel my soul withering deep inside me. “That wasn’t technically a lie. You'd be surprised at how much pain I can handle before I'll need someone to heal me.”
Frustration flashes across his face, and I watch as he fights it. His jaw tightens as he offers me his hand. I accept it and he leads me down the halls.
We walk down hallway after hallway until he leads me to a staging area for the carriages. We wait there until Centralia’s carriage pulls to a stop in front of us and he opens the door to allow me inside. Then, to my surprise, he climbs in behind me and sits on the opposite side of the carriage.
It’s a small carriage and our knees touch as he leans back and watches everything. I can tell he’s in soldier mode now. He watches everything around us, looking out the windows at the crowds lining the streets, watching the soldiers on horseback that surround our carriage. In fact, he’s looking at everything, except for me, so I take this opportunity to get a good look at him.
For the first time, I realize that he’s not wearing the royal colors of Murra, but the purple and silver colors of Centralia. His long, fitted jacket is made of a simple silver fabric with a purple detailing worked into the sleeves and his dark pants complement the uniform perfectly. His sword is buckled to a sheath at his side and he looks every bit the powerful General that used to terrify me.
My stomach knots together as my gaze flickers over him. The sunlight shines through the window and dances over his face, highlighting his high cheekbones and strong chin. He looks impossibly handsome, and I can't help the flare of desire that bolts through me. But, as he sits there acting so dignified and put together and I can't help a snort of laughter. You’d never know he was washing my hair not long ago.
He narrows his eyes at me, “What’s so funny, Princess?”
I shrug nonchalantly and stare out a window, trying to hide my smile. “Nothing, General. You're looking mighty sophisticated today.”
He smirks at me, “I look sophisticated every day when I’m not chasing spoiled princesses around the Kingdom.”
“Well, the uniform does look good. But, why did you decide to go with Centralia colors? Isn’t everyone wearing Murra’s colors?” I ask, trying to sound like I’m just making conversation. Like the question isn’t burning in my gut.
We ride in silence for a while and I guess question time is over. We’re probably going back to hating each other now, I really wish he’d make up his mind already.
I can feel his gaze on me, but I ignore it. After a while, he finally speaks. “All of Chadonia’s high counsel and commanding guards have been ordered to wear Murra’s colors.”
That catches my attention, as General he is one of the highest-ranking officers in Chadonia’s military. “Then why aren’t you?” I ask quietly.
“Your father and I may have had our difference of opinions. But, without him, I wouldn’t be who I am today. I wouldn’t be in the position I am in today. I’m not going to dishonor him by wearing the colors of the brother that betrayed him.” His look pins me to my seat as he reaches over and takes my hand.
“You believe me?” I ask, barely daring to breathe.
“Of course, I do. I…” The doors to the carriage open and we’re instantly surrounded by people. Large crowds are screaming my name and soldiers line up alongside the carriage to escort me into the arena.
Caspian exits the carriage first and reaches up to offer me his hand. I accept it, grateful for the help down. I climb out of the carriage and the sunlight is blinding. He pulls my arm into his and leans into me whispering, “Show them why you are their High Queen.”
I smile at my people and wave to them. The cheering explodes into a roar so loud I can’t hear what Caspian says next. But his smile shows me I did exactly what I was supposed to. As he guides me away from the crowd, we walk along an elegant pathway that's lined with flowers, and I take a deep breath as we step under an archway and into the building that hosts the trials.
A servant meets us at the archway and leads us into a sitting that area has been designated for me. The room is a small one with a lounge and some chairs along one side and a small buffet along the other.
The smell of food draws me to the table, and I pile some fruit, cheese, and a couple of tarts onto a plate. I know I should try and eat it. I’m famished, and I don’t know what’s in store for me once the competition starts. But my stomach is a nervous wreck. I’m pretty sure whatever I eat is going to come right back up. I glance over at where Caspian is sitting and see him picking at his food too.
I guess neither of us are very hungry today.
He stands and starts pacing the room and I watch him for a moment before his apprehension starts rubbing off on me.
“Will you stop that, please?” I drop heavily into one of the chairs and glare at him. “I am nervous enough as it is, I don’t need you making it worse.”
He stops with his gaze riveted to me. Determination flashes in his eyes, and he slowly stalks over to my chair. Placing his hands on the armrests, he meets my eyes and slowly leans down towards me.
His face is serious as he speaks quietly to me, “Adeline, you have to be careful out there. I've tried to figure out what they’ve planned, but they’re keeping it hidden from everyone. Everyone but Maximus, that is. He’s figured it out, hell, maybe he helped design them. I wouldn’t put anything past him at this point. And if he has anything to do with them, I can guarantee two things. One, he will do anything in his power to make sure Nereus wins. Rightful king, or not. Putting our entire kingdom in trouble. And two, this entire trial will be designed to make you fail. He knows you’re the biggest threat. He knows that you’re meant to be the High Queen...”
His voice trails off as he hesitates.
“What, Caspian? What else are you trying to say?” I reach out and lay a hand on his cheek, trying to capture his attention and he leans into it with his eyes closed. A deep groan comes out of him and I can see the pain radiating off his face.
“I know you will do everything you can to win. But, just remember, some people aren’t who you think they are. Choose who you’ll fight for wisely.”
“Who do I fight for? I don’t understand. I’m fighting for my people.” I watch as sadness flashes across his face.
There is a knock at the door and Caspian releases my chair, standing up immediately. Walking towards the door with a hand on his sword, he pauses as he calls to the person to enter. His posture turns rigid as he speaks quietly to a soldier. With a nod, he sends the soldier on his way and turns to me. “It’s time, Princess.”
I stand up, take a deep breath, and march out of the room with Caspian at my side. He leads me down a few hallways, but they all blur together. I’m struggling to keep my breathing under control and not hyperventilate. We round a corner and see all the Elects standing beside their entry points. My eyes focus on Xander and I run to him, throwing my arms around him.
“Addy, I haven’t seen you since the opening ceremony. I was terrified Maximus had done something with you,” Xander says as he sweeps me up in a big hug.
I wince as he squeezes my injured arm and he sets me back down gently. His brows furrows as he studies me. “He did do something, didn’t he?”
I glance up and see I am surrounded by all my fellow elects. They all look at me with such a fierce protectiveness, it nearly breaks my heart.
“I’m okay.” I try smiling at the few friends I have left. But I can’t shake that voice in the back of my head telling me I’m alone.
Xander leans down and kisses my cheek. “Addy, I want you to know you were always a sister to me. Even when I was foolish and let my advisers come between us, I always watched over you. I love you, little sister.”
I can’t keep my tears back. They pour silently down my cheeks as I nod at him. I don’t trust myself to speak.
“Elects, it’s time. Please prepare to enter the trials.” A loud voice reverberates through the room.
I
squeeze Xander’s hand and walk to the spot designated for me. Caspian is waiting there for me, with a look of barely contained panic.
“What, Caspian?” I ask as he takes my hand.
He bows to me and presses my hand to his lips, not taking his eyes off mine. Leaning forward to place a kiss on my cheek, he whispers frantically. “Don’t trust him, Princess.”
“Who?” I ask. But the door opens and I’m immediately ushered inside.
The roar of the crowds drowns out Caspian’s response and when I look back at him I can see the helplessness clearly on his face. He opens his mouth to say something, but the door slams closed before he can, plunging me into darkness.
Chapter Twenty-Eight
I stand there not sure what I'm supposed to be doing. I’ve researched the previous trials and they almost always contain large amounts of magic, personal trials, and physical endurance.
Each phase of the trial pertains to one of the three attributes that the true ruler must possess. Courage, Honesty, and Sacrifice. Slowly my eyes begin to adjust to the darkness, and I see I’m in a dark room that’s barely larger than I am.
The holding cells…
I know what happens next. The doors will fly open and whatever is on the other side will come after me. It will be up to me to pass the first phase of the trials and work my way forward from there. I strain to hear anything, but there’s only complete and utter silence.
My hand reaches instantly to my locket and I rub the design on it absently. I’s familiar weight against my chest helps lessen the anxiety that’s threatening to crush me.
I finally hear it, a loud creaking sound. Then the wall in front of me disappears and I’m met with a tall green barrier.
A cold sweat spreads across my face and nausea burns in my stomach. No… It can’t be.
I back up slowly and run into another green, leafy wall. Turning in a slow circle, I see the walls are on three sides of me. Offering only a narrow path to escape from the hedges. I walk through it staring in shock.
My breathing is shallow as I am surrounded by hedges. That narcissistic maniac recreated my worst nightmare.
I have to stay calm; this isn’t a nightmare. There is a logical, reasonable way out. I just need to find it.
I walk along the path inspecting it thoroughly, but I can’t find anything out of the ordinary, just large green walls made of vines and leaves.
That’s when I hear it.
“Addy help me! Please, Addy. Save me!” The words end with a high pitch scream that cuts straight to my heart.
The voice isn’t quite like my nightmares, it’s older and heartbreakingly familiar. I know without a doubt my uncle has put Aileen into the trials… It’s not the first time they’ve used family members as an incentive and I know Maximus would kill her in a heartbeat if it meant I would lose this trial.
My body is moving before I’ve even finished the thought. I sprint through the maze, pushing my body to its limits. The pain in my stomach intensifies, but I ignore it. The only thing that matters to me, is saving my sister.
I feel a faint stirring deep inside of me, my magic is trying to come forth. But, it’s still hasn’t had a chance to replenish, and these stupid cuffs probably aren’t helping either. All it can do is flutter slightly, then it vanishes.
It can’t help me this time, so I throw every bit of strength into my legs, sprinting so fast I slide into a hedge as I skid around a corner. Thorns claw at me, grabbing a hold of my clothes and holding on tight. I can feel my skin ripping as I try to jerk away from them.
Wait, they’re not just holding on. They’re pulling me towards them.
I can see the vines wrapping around my legs, pulling me back into the mass of vines. Terror surges red hot through my stomach, causing such a powerful reaction, my body freezes. The hedges slowly cover me, submerging me fully into its depths. I cry out in frustration as the thorns dig into me.
Then I notice a familiar earthy scented magic blowing through my hair.
Breathe.
The magic is there one second and gone the next. Did I imagine it?
The one word keeps echoing in my head, and I decide I couldn't have imagined it. It was definitely real, and Caspian is helping me somehow. I close my eyes and take a deep breath. In and out. Repeating it until my erratic heart begins to calm. The vines slowly wind away from me, freeing me from its massive wall.
If I don’t panic, I’ll be okay. Easy enough under normal circumstances, but I’m living a real-life nightmare here. I continue running towards Aileen’s now continuous cries for help, careful not to touch the walls.
Every Maze has a pattern of sorts. My father had taught me when I was little. Once you find the pattern, you can navigate it easily.
Okay, Father, what’s the pattern here?
I try turning left every time. Surely if I kept going in the same direction, it would lead me to the center eventually.
My path comes to a dead-end and I grind my teeth in frustration.
Retracing my steps, I start taking every right turn, but I soon run into another blocked path.
Aileen’s anguished cries for help grow louder and tears stream down my face.
My heart squeezes in my chest. So, I sit down and cover my ears, trying to block out the tragic cries. My breathing starts coming out faster and faster.
I feel the darkness inside me threatening to come out and for a moment I consider letting it. If I couldn’t feel, this wouldn’t break my heart so badly.
As I am fighting against those horrible thoughts, I feel another power growing within me. A bright light that I've only felt once before when I'd died.
Pay Attention! The woman’s yell penetrates every part of my mind, startling me.
I obey instantly. This voice helped me before, maybe she’ll help me again. I stand up and close my eyes, focusing all my attention on Aileen’s cries. Tilting my head slowly from side to side, I feel a distinctive sizzling towards the left. I walk down the path a bit further and the sizzling grows slightly stronger. I start running again, twisting and turning along the maze, pausing at each split in the path to see which direction the magic pulls me. I follow the sizzling feeling that grows stronger with every turn.
I'm coming, Aileen.
Finally, I barrel into the center of the maze and come to a screeching halt.
In the midst of the large clearing, a monster is holding onto Aileen, looming over her. It stands twice as tall as any man I’ve ever seen, and its sickly yellow skin is stretched tight around its body. It rakes one of its long claws over Aileen's arm and blood seeps out of it, soaking her shirt.
Her scream echoes throughout the maze, and bile fills my stomach. When it’s glowing eyes meet mine, it gives me an evil grin with its razor-sharp teeth.
I could never forget this creature; it has haunted my nightmares for nearly thirteen years.
The same glowing eyes, sharp claws, and sallow yellow skin.
It’s the monster that tried to kill Aileen when we were children. A Wendigo.
The creature makes a noise that sounds like laughter as it's long, snake-like, tongue slithers out of its mouth. It narrows its eyes at me then throws its head back, howling loudly.
All around us, the hedges open, and monsters are released.
Ice floods my veins, fueled by my anger. The creatures make their way towards Aileen, as she screams, looking at me to help her. I feel a pressure growing in my head, pounding, and pounding.
No more! I mentally scream as loud as I can.
A bow appears on the grass between the monster’s and me. The creatures stare at it in surprise.
Apparently, they’re not used to someone fighting back.
All my training comes back to me in a flash and I sprint towards the bow, with the monsters right behind me. I feel a long claw scrap against my back, digging deep into my shoulder. I scream as I yank away from it and dive onto the grass for the bow.
I throw the quiver over my shoulder and grab the bow in
my left hand, notching an arrow and losing it at the monster that had torn my back. The pull of the bow on my barely healed arm is agony, but it hits its mark and lodges deep into the monster’s eye.
The monsters converge on me from all sides. There are seven, including the one that is still torturing Aileen.
I spin on my knees and shoot an arrow at the creature who is the closest, aiming for where its heart should be if it even has a heart. My training was focused more on fighting humans, not monsters. I have no idea how to kill them, but I'm not going down without a fight.
I wince at the creature's high-pitched scream. I think I angered it more than injured it.
Loosing another arrow into its eye, I dive to the side as it attacks me. I barely miss one of its sharp claws.
I shoot four more arrows at the different creatures and it just earns me more angry screams. With a sinking heart, I realize my bow isn't going to be much help here.
Aileen screams again and I catch a glimpse of her through the crowd of monsters circling me. I watch in horror as the wendigo leans down and bites her shoulder.
Pure unadulterated fury courses through my bones. I can feel it swirling through me, a tangle of red and black smoke. My fire and the darkness mix and something deep inside me snaps as I lose control.
I scream so loud I can feel it's vibrations slam into the monsters surrounding me.
These creatures don't deserve the mercy of my fire, they deserve to die slowly and painfully.
I feel the darkness pore out of me and glance down to see sleek black armor covering my body. Wicked pleasure flashes through me when I see a black sword in my hand. It shines like death itself, with black and red flames flickering across it.
I hold it up and smile at the creatures in front of me. I can feel the darkness radiating off me, but I don't care. I only want them all to die.
A creature screams at me in furry. So, I yell right back at it and run towards it, ducking under its outstretched claw. Fortunately for me, this new combination of my powers gives me a boost in speed, and I slide right past the creature before it even realizes I’m there. Standing behind it, I swing my sword out and slice straight through its middle. Cleaving the beast in two. Black blood flies everywhere and the other creatures scream in despair for their dead comrade.
Princess of Fire and Smoke (Forbidden Court Book 1) Page 24