Chapter 6
The next morning, all the contestants stare at me like I’ve grown three heads. Even Jordan, who’s now wearing an eyepatch and lost about half of his ego. He doesn’t speak, but his one functioning eye is quietly judging me.
They probably think I crawled into Kieran’s bed to get ahead of the game.
They can think whatever they want.
I don’t give a shit.
“Cassandra!”
Only Tessa greets me with that bright smile like flowers bloomed from her pillow. Everything’s sunshine and sparkles in her world. I don’t even know what she could possibly want from here.
Maybe she’s just trying to get close to me because she stupidly believes I’ve got the upper hand.
“Good morning,” I say, slicing my bacon in silence.
“Where did you vanish to last night?” Lucas asks.
The Tower of Stars, the botanical garden with glowing plants, and the River of Vows—a famous spot for weddings, apparently. It binds the couple’s souls together for eternity.
Ancient belief, according to Kieran.
Ironic how even Fae believe in soulmates.
Not that it’d work on me—can’t bind what isn’t there.
“Here and there,” is what I reply to Lucas.
It was just a midnight stroll.
With surprisingly great company.
Maybe it’s easier to walk beside someone when neither of you has a soul left.
I don’t really care why he’s interested in me, or if he just flirts with humans for fun. I’m on the King’s good side, and that’s everything I need.
But of course, that answer isn’t good enough for Lucas.
“Cassandra, what are you doing?”
Here we go, another person disappointed in me.
“I’m eating, Lucas.” I sigh. “And I’m safe and sound. He didn’t hurt me.”
Jordan scoffs from his seat. “Not yet, anyway.”
“Oh, please,” I hiss. “You assaulted one of his people.”
“You don’t even know what happened. We’re just having fun.” He flushes red—then winces, clutching his side like the memory of pain is suddenly real again.
Sure, Jordan. Just having fun.
“I swear to Gods, that fucking Fae will pay,” Jordan growls, whilst the rest of us exchange looks. Thank the stars there is no one in this room but us, otherwise we’d have Jordan’s head on a spike by sunset.
I shake my head. “He’s got magic and can vanish into thin air. How are you ever going to hurt Kieran?”
“Iron, obviously. Everyone knows that’s their weakness.”
“Right, because they would let anyone smuggle iron up here.” Oliver lets out a loud, heavy sigh. “I think it’d be wise for you not to go around announcing you’re plotting to kill the Fae King, who—from what I gathered—is probably the one granting the wish at the end of this whole thing.”
“King?” Jordan’s head snaps to him.
Leon blinks at the idiot in the group. “I’d say try opening your eyes next time, but—well, you’ve only got the one.”
“You think you’re so funny, huh, kid?” Jordan spits. “Let’s see how long you last.”
“I’m not a kid,” Leon grunts. “And are you kidding me? It’s barely been two days and you’ve already lost an eye. Pretty sure everyone here will last longer than you.”
“At least we all know who will last the longest,” Daisy murmurs, voice quiet but soaked in envy. It hits me like a slap. “Right, Cassandra?”
Ah.
So, this is what we’re doing now.
I liked her better when the floor was her only friend.
I grin. “Maybe if you looked as sharp as you sound right now, he would have asked you for a dance. But—oh well.”
Daisy’s face turns red.
Jaws drop.
Tessa tries to bite back a laugh before slapping a hand on her mouth.
I take another bite of my bacon.
Did she think I was just going to sit there, then run and cry and tell Kieran? Please. Don’t go throwing punches expecting to go home without a scratch.
“There you are!”
Aurora bursts into the room with two other Fae, cutting the tension like a knife. She’s draped in a blue dress, a fluffy white scarf on her neck. Her gracious smile dims slightly when her eyes meet mine—only for a second.
“I hope you all enjoyed last night,” she says, voice turning cold as her eyes settle on Jordan, but her smile never wavers. “Especially you.”
Jordan says nothing. He keeps his gaze fixed on the floor.
A sign of someone who’s either guilty or scared.
In this case, probably both.
“As I said yesterday, the first trial starts in two weeks,” Aurora continues, gesturing at both Fae behind her.
They begin giving out golden envelopes to each of us.
“In the letters, you’ll find the clues to the trial.
I suggest you use this time wisely. Gideon and Atticus, our High Commanders, are running a training session every morning should you wish to join.
There’re always classes to attend, both educational and recreational.
In a meantime, you can also help around the Court for some pocket money. ”
I blink.
I can’t, for the of life of me, comprehend this generous hospitality.
Weren’t we meant to be just some sport for them to watch?
Well, I’m not complaining.
“Pocket money?” Tessa’s eyes gleam with excitement. “What kind of jobs are there?”
“Cleaning, cooking, personal assistance, helping around the library or the garden.” Aurora shrugs, then flashes a grin. “Or … you can sign up to be a temporary resident at one of the brothels. I hear the pay’s excellent. It’s not like we get humans to taste all year round.”
Oh, great.
You can even be a whore.
“Yeah … no, thanks.” Tessa laughs awkwardly, shifting in her seat.
Aurora rolls her eyes. “That’s what they all say at first.” She turns to Jordan. “There’re also brothels for females, too, if you’re interested. Might be the only place where someone actually wants to fuck you.”
Oh, that’s a low blow, and I’m absolutely here for it.
“Although, I do have to say,” she adds, dragging her gaze down to Jordan’s trousers with mock interest. “Male humans don’t tend to please us much. They’re just … a little underwhelming, you know?”
I snort before I can stop myself.
Apart from the fact that she probably wants to stab me for what I did last night, I actually think Aurora’s kind of savage.
“That’s because they haven’t met me yet.” Jordan smirks. “The female I visited at a brothel yesterday sure seemed pretty satisfied.”
This is way too much sex talk for breakfast.
I exhale, lowering my gaze to the golden envelope. Inside is nothing but a single sheet of parchment. On it, the letter reads:
Dearest Cassandra,
What’s keeping you up at night?
Careful, for it might come back and haunt you.
Love,
The Trial Committee
What a disturbing letter.
How is this meant to be my clue?
And they have a committee for these trials? Aurora must be the chairwoman—chairfae, or whatever.
I glance at Tessa, whose brows are twisted into a knot.
“Yours creepy too?” I ask.
She just nods, still staring at the page like it might bite.
I’m guessing all the letters are different, then.
“What does yours say?” Lucas turns to me. I show him the letter. “Lovely. Look at mine.”
He hands it over, and I read.
Dear handsome Lucas,
Where does one go when they die?
Shall we follow and see?
Love,
The Trial Committee
Our eyes meet in silence. My stomach twists like it’s trying to squeeze my breakfast back up. Whatever this first trial is … it might be about Declan.
They know us.
And they know how to use our weaknesses, too.
Aside from the ominous letters, Aurora also leaves us with a list of classes and jobs we can sign up to. I flip through the pages.
Gods, maybe they’re short-staffed and we’re here to be their slaves.
“Are you going to sign up for something?” Tessa asks as we leave the dining hall. For whatever reason, she’s decided to stick with me—must be the Kieran effect.
“I don’t know yet, but I’m thinking about it.”
“I think I might join the training,” Lucas says from beside me.
And he has a good point. Now that we’re outside in the corridor, bathed in daylight, I can see how many eyes are on us. Some curious. Some grinning. And some just want to scare.
“Yeah, good idea,” I murmur.
I haven’t gotten a clue how I’m going to spend the next two weeks in this Court, but I hate this hopeless feeling like I have to rely on the ward in my room to protect me, or stay in a group to be safe.
I didn’t sore my arm hurling knives for nothing.
“I’m going to the market,” I say.
“How?” Daisy crosses her arms. “Vanishing?”
“There’s a map in our rooms, but you might not have seen it, since you barely lift your head off the floor.” I exhale loudly, already walking away before she can throw another ridiculous accusation my way.
It’s been two days and Daisy’s already showing her true colours.
Good.
I won’t feel too bad if I have to drive a knife through her.
“Cassandra, wait!” Tessa runs after me. I already know what she’s going to say before she opens her mouth. Lucas is right behind her. “Can I come with you?”
I hesitate—but Lucas isn’t having any of it.
“We’re coming with you.”
Yep. Not a question.