Chapter 19
Chapter nineteen
The walk back to the front of the forest was grueling after losing the momentum of the competition.
The cold finally started to get to me, causing my ears to burn and my fingers to grow tired and stiff.
Mara and I each dragged a goose through the snow, grateful that the fresh powder made it easy for them to glide through.
When we made it back, the other women were already waiting for us, lined up just as we had started, their prizes lying at their feet. I took my spot and Mara followed suit, my tired bones ready to finally sit down and rest.
“Welcome back, ladies,” the king greeted us, his sharp eyes scanning over the prizes we’d each collected. “Please present your catch one at a time. Your ranking will be awarded to you at the end.”
Avalyn went first, and there was no doubt in my mind that she would be crowned the winner as she hoisted her prized deer up on her shoulders to deliver at the king’s feet.
The king smiled upon the princess, clearly impressed by her catch.
A scribe jotted down something on a piece of parchment as she walked back to her place, his quill shaking wildly from his shivering.
Brisa was next. She brought forward three rabbits of varying sizes. Another impressive catch that earned her a favorable look from the king. I hadn’t expected her to be much of a hunter, but I wouldn’t put it past her genius to track down a rabbit hole.
Ciara presented a single arrow with five trout skewered on it. She must have focused her attention on the creek; I should have expected as much from a pirate’s daughter.
Sybil went before me, my heart pounding in response to her every move.
The king looked at her expectantly but ended up disappointed when she came up empty-handed and silent.
The scribe scribbled out his notes with a disappointed nod, and Sybil walked back to her place without so much as a glance in my direction.
Serves her right for trying to claim me as her kill.
It was my turn next, but I couldn’t bring my legs to move just yet. The king and the scribe urged me forward with their impatient glares, but I still had a choice to make before completing this event.
There were no spectators today. No one would know that I helped Mara.
I didn’t regret taking the time to protect her, but the benefits were lost if none of the Ivalonians knew that I wasn’t going to leave her to die. There were only two ways I could win in any event: maintaining the Ivalonians’ trust, or fighting to impress the Aemastians.
A single goose won’t impress anyone. My only option is Ivalon.
I stepped over the goose, leaving it behind as I approached the king with empty hands. The girls murmured behind my back, and I could hear Mara gasp as I knelt before the king with nothing to show for my efforts.
“I present nothing,” I said plainly, rising again to meet his gaze. I had expected him to rejoice in my failure, but he looked at me with as much disdain as ever. His jaw was tight, and I could practically see steam wisping off his skin in the cold air.
It would seem he knew exactly what game I was playing. Good, let him squirm.
I returned to my spot, and Mara’s head followed me with eyes wider than a snowy owl’s. I knew she had a million questions, but the only answer I could give her now was nudging my goose toward her.
Mara picked up her goose but hesitated before collecting mine.
I nudged it again, urging her to come take it before she went up.
She pressed her lips together, her eyes watering as she quickly rubbed her eyes, then stepped forward to pick up the other goose.
Her glassy gaze melted my frozen core, the heartbreak and gratitude almost too much to bear as she dragged the two birds before the king to claim as her own.
My ring buzzed, but I covered my hand in an attempt to muffle whatever scolding Atlas was trying to give me.
He wouldn’t approve of me throwing the competition, but once word spread that the meek little Mara had scored two birds on her own, there would be no doubt in the Ivalonians’ hearts that she’d had help.
Any further truth that spread would only help my reputation more.
The cost of this battle was hefty, but I still felt as though I’d won.
Once the game was tallied, a group of guards came to collect the bounty while another group guided us back up the mountain toward the castle.
We all walked in silence, but Mara stuck to my side like a dog who had been fed by its master.
She trusted me to protect her, and that was exactly what everyone needed to see.
There would be other competitions that I could win, surely.
When we made it back inside the palace gates, we were greeted by a crowd of nobles and servants who applauded our entrance.
A celebration of sorts had been set up within the inner grounds, complete with music, brightly colored silks draped on the trees as decorations, and a grand table in the center of it all.
Clearly, the king hadn’t wanted spectators for the event in case Sybil was successful. But now he got to flaunt the victors.
“Let’s welcome our competitors!” the steward called over the crowd as they all applauded the hungry, shivering girls. “Gather around as we share the scores and assign places at the king’s table.”
The scribe brought up the rear of our group, stumbling on his cold feet as he made his way to the front of the crowd. He handed his parchment over to the steward, whispering in his ear for a moment before pulling his cloak tight and shuffling inside as quickly as he could.
The steward scanned the paper, clearing his throat while the crowd waited with bated breath. “In order from first to last, we have…Princess Avalyn, Lady Mara, Lady Brisa, Princess Ciara, and tied for last are Lady Sybil and Lady Diaspro.”
Despite Princess Avalyn being the victor, all eyes fell on Mara.
The shock that filtered through the crowd was immensely satisfying for me to take in, though perhaps a bit overwhelming for Mara.
The Aemastians gathered around her but kept at a bit of a distance as if they expected her to carry some sort of disease for being Ivalonian.
Even so, they were drawn to her, roped in by the story of the underdog just as they had been when I first won my battle against Lochlan.
And then there were the ones who looked at me.
A few Aemastians gave me a disapproving nod or scoffed at me for my poor performance, but I hadn’t fought for their approval today.
The Ivalonian servants lining the edge of the courtyard were the only ones who saw my victory.
Tearful smiles spanned their faces, and despite their obedient silence, I could still feel their applause as they looked upon their merciful princess-to-be.
Only time would tell if I picked the right battle to win.
“In what world do three rabbits trump five fish?” Ciara muttered beside me, drawing my attention to her taut frown and folded arms. Her auburn curls were loose around her shoulders, with the tips frozen and icy, likely from getting wet while fishing.
“Fish are far more difficult to spot than a light rabbit in dark brush.”
The brush had seemed pretty vivid and bright to me considering the season, especially the evergreens, but I didn’t think she was in the mood to argue in her current state of frustration.
“You’ll find that there’s rarely anything in this kingdom that’s fair,” I said, causing her to stiffen as she seemingly just realized who was listening to her.
“I’m well aware of that,” she hissed. “Why else would I be here?”
She pushed past me, stepping forward as the steward called the successful competitors forward to take a seat at the king’s table.
Mara had to squeeze through the crowd in order to make any forward progress, pausing to give me a grateful yet pained smile before approaching the table.
I hoped my loss didn’t sully her appetite.
She would need her strength to keep her chin up for whatever came next.
Take this win. I’ll catch up when I can.
The guests were fed as well, but by servers who circled the courtyard. Sybil and I remained among the crowd, but it was plenty clear that the servers weren’t going to permit us to swipe a biscuit or piece of fruit.
I snuck a glance at the meals being served at the king’s table, instantly regretting seeing the steaming slice of carved ham being presented to Avalyn. I hoped Mara would get something similar, but I couldn’t quite get close enough to the table to see her plate.
“That certainly was touching,” a familiar voice snaked into my ear, chasing the curiosity from my thoughts. I turned to meet Lochlan’s shrewd expression. “Giving the little lamb a final supper before she’s offered up for slaughter.”
“It’s a kinder death than you offered me,” I said coldly.
“I offered to marry you.”
“Precisely.” I raised my brow and he chuckled, not arguing the fact that it was a dreadful sentence.
“It’s such a pity too; you would have looked so miserably beautiful in white.
” He reached out to brush my hair with his finger, but I pulled away before he could infect me with his touch.
“You still could, too. After all, you’re back to fighting for the right to win a prince’s love.
Don’t tell me that there isn’t at least a little bit of regret in that deceptive little heart of yours.
” He stepped forward, close enough for his warm breath to tickle my ear.
“Had you not been so stubborn, you could have already been halfway to a new throne right now.”
I didn’t budge, letting his pride stew as I leaned in closer, nearly embracing him.