Chapter 61
AIMILIA
Aimilia didn’t sleep the night before the final trial.
She couldn’t.
All night she was haunted by Turpis’ words, and the feeling of Nikias kissing her against that wall.
When she was lucid and staring at the moonlight coming in through the window, all she could think about was the fact that Turpis knew something.
He’d found out something.
And now it was lost to Aimilia. Queen Clelia was going to try again tomorrow, and Aimilia was completely clueless as to what it would be.
Outside of Hypatia’s vague premonition of an explosion. Which didn’t bode well for Aimilia.
Nikias had taken her one ally and ripped it from her hands. It was very possible that Aimilia wasn’t going to be able to save herself this time. For all that Nikias acted like he wanted to marry her, he certainly didn’t seem to want it enough to stop his mother.
When dawn came, Aimilia was already up and dressed. As she stared at her reflection in the mirror, Aimilia didn’t know when this was all over if she was going to thank Hypatia or curse her. Aimilia supposed it depended on how this all ended.
She might not get the chance for either.
She finished pinning her braid into place when a knock sounded on her door. She called out, “Who is it?”
She really wasn’t in the mood for any lies from Nikias’ lips or any more insults from Turpis.
“It’s me.” Her mother’s voice rang through the door.
Aimilia opened it and narrowed her eyes at her. “If you are here to tell me to give up now, that’s not going to happen.”
Mother said, “No. I know better than to try at this point. I’m here because while we’ve had our differences as of late, I wanted to wish you good luck. You’ve scared me a dozen times during this tournament, and I know I haven’t been as attentive to you as I should. I’m sorry for that.”
Of all the things Aimilia had expected, this had been the last. She nodded and said, “Thank you.”
They fell into an awkward silence. Her mother glanced around, and then she said, “I suppose this time tomorrow we’ll know if you’re the new Head of House Mitis. I suppose, in the absence of other things, it would be good to see you take your grandfather’s place. Your father would be proud.”
Aimilia’s throat tightened, and she managed to get out an even, if not cold, “Thank you.”
And then her mother was gone, leaving her to get ready, even though she was already done. Aimilia took a deep breath. If she failed today, there was no doubt in her mind she would pay for all her defiance, most likely in becoming Nikias’ unwilling bride.
But if she won…
Aimilia couldn’t afford to lose. She took off the ring and set it on the dresser.
Just looking at it made her sick. She didn’t want his gifts trying to buy her affection.
She didn’t need or want his help. Once the gold weight slid off her finger, Aimilia felt as though she’d picked up a massive boulder.
Still, she left it behind and went to go wait for the trial.
Aimilia was one of the first people there. A few servants were milling about, setting up, as well as Commander Prisca, who was in charge of overseeing them.
What surprised her more were the guards. The other trials hadn’t had any.
What was this about? Were they there to ensure that if she failed she didn’t run away?
She eyed them. If Aimilia lost, running away was her next option. If she could make it back to Gavril and Marcella as well as Hypatia and Konstantin, maybe they would be able to keep her from being forced to marry Nikias.
Aimilia wasn’t certain. They might not, but it was better than succumbing to her fate. However, she wouldn’t let it come to that. She was going to win.
The starting point of the race was in the woods, and the finish line near the amphitheater. There would be the judges and other mages scattered along the path watching, and it appeared like there might be guards as well.
She’d known it would be a race, but she was waiting for the twist. Nothing was ever so simple, not with the Runai. She spotted the distinct pattern of Runai handlers, but she didn’t see any magical animals. They better not be bringing back the cerberuses.
More and more of the Runai and the Solitus trickled in, some going down to the amphitheater to find seats to watch the conclusion, and others taking places along the route.
She exchanged nods with her fellow competitors. Neither was Cyprian, and neither really stood a chance against Aimilia. She’d heard their scores; they were well behind her and Cyprian.
He was the only one she had to worry about today. Well—during the race. It was at that moment that a rider came out from among the trees. Aimilia’s breath caught in her throat.
Nikias.
He had several guards with him, and he brought his horse to an abrupt halt when he spotted her. She’d only seen him briefly in passing the last few days. She’d done a good job disappearing anytime she caught sight of him before he could corner her.
She looked around. It was well populated enough that he wasn’t likely to try anything. But Aimilia had never been good at predicting what Nikias would try to do to win.
He was too unpredictable, especially when he wanted something.
Aimilia waited. He stared at her. It was impossible to tell what he was thinking, and Aimilia didn’t want to know. She didn’t want to know what schemes were running about his mind. She didn’t want to look at him ever again.
One of the guards cleared his throat, and Nikias blinked. Aimilia looked down to realize he’d been staring at her hand. The one that no longer wore the gold ring he’d given her.
Maybe it was foolish of her to leave it behind, given how useful it could be in this event, but she would wear nothing that could mark her as his, even if he was the only one who knew it. Nikias glanced over his shoulder and said, “We’re done.”
Then he dismounted, and Aimilia didn’t miss the shaky way in which he landed. He looked exhausted. He had been looking tired ever since all of this had started, but this was even worse.
Was he faking that too?
She held her breath as he approached, leading his horse behind him. His eyes darted down to her hand again. He said, “Commander, you’re here early.”
Aimilia crossed her arms and lifted her chin. “Your Highness, so are you. Are you going to grace me with an explanation as to what exactly you were just doing along the route of the race?”
Nikias shifted, tilting his head down, and some of his hair fell into his face, lank and lacking life.
“Considering what we encountered on the road, and what happened in the last trial, I thought it prudent to secure the route myself. I wanted to ensure that everything along it was as it ought to be, and matched Commander Prisca’s specifications exactly. ”
Aimilia raised an eyebrow. “Really? And what’s the verdict?”
Like she believed him.
He looked up, meeting her eyes, and his voice was low as he whispered, “I promise, everything is exactly as it should be. There’s nothing there that’s not meant to be there. It’ll be a fair race.”
Great. Now Aimilia had to worry about whatever traps Nikias had just laid, as well as Queen Clelia, not to mention her uncle actively trying to sabotage her while they were doing it. Still, Aimilia would succeed despite the odds, and victory would be all the sweeter.
She was unable to stop her lip curling up as her nails dug into her skin. “I’m sure we’ll all appreciate your effort. I’d hate for anyone to say that this was rigged in my favor too.”
Nikias looked up sharply at that. “What are you talking about?”
Aimilia scoffed. “It’s just gossip. No need to worry your pretty little head about it. You’ve never cared what anyone says, or the damage that it can do.”
Nikias’ eyes flashed. “That’s not true. Of course I care.”
He glanced around before lowering his voice as he stepped closer, bringing his horse up to shield them from some of the people watching the interaction. He whispered, “I’ve heard what they’re saying—”
Aimilia stepped back and shook her head. “If you think that’s going to change anything, you’re wrong. I’d rather people talk.”
Nikias reached out, but his hand never made contact. It just fell back to his side. “Aimilia, I know you won’t believe me, but I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have—”
Aimilia laughed. “Save your breath, Your Highness. I might be dumb enough to fall for it twice, but I’m not going to fall for it a third time. So good luck with whatever it is you’ve laid out there—we’ll see in the end who’s the victor.”
Nikias just brushed past her. And as he went, he whispered, “You don’t have to believe it, but I am sorry.”
If she did believe it, it would only be because he was sorry he’d gotten caught. Aimilia’s blood boiled as she watched him go. Nikias headed toward the amphitheater.
Good.
Aimilia looked back at the shadowy route in the trees. Maybe it was time she started praying for miracles like Marcella. She was going to need one to have a hope of winning this against all these odds.