Chapter 33
M y nerves were shot.
I hadn’t slept at all, even with Kade beside me. When he finally snuck out of my garden early this morning, I lay in bed, staring at the ceiling.
I’d been too scared to ask him if he wanted to win the trials. If he wanted to be chosen.
Part of me feared the answer would be no, which only made it worse.
At the same time, he hadn’t run. He’d comforted me and stayed, even after finding out I lacked any sort of magic. It had to count for something.
Now, here I was, marching up the stairs toward the pavilion, where I’d watch the final trials and determine from the winners who would become Brookmere’s King.
Kalliah walked beside me, step by step, giving me space while providing her unyielding, silent support.
I had barely touched my breakfast while Kalliah prepared me for today. Today, I wore structured armor. One which made me appear fierce, my hair braided tight into a coronet upon my head. While I knew wearing fitted dark pants and my finest purple and gold tunic would be frowned upon by my parents and Andras, too much had occurred, and I needed to be prepared if something happened again.
It wasn’t only that, though. Whomever I chose today to be the future King of Brookmere needed to know they were going to be marrying a warrior. One who wouldn’t be told to sit on the sidelines. Magic or not.
My appearance radiated strength, and I’d pull from it to force myself to feel it, too.
I couldn’t be certain my father had the kingdom under control after the attack during the previous trials, but at least I could hide a dagger or two upon my person much easier this way if anything went wrong.
Kalliah, who was unreservedly disgusted by my choice of clothing before I explained my reasoning, had still opted to wear a fitted corseted dress, flowing with layers of blue tulle. She would have made a great princess.
I didn’t let go of her hand as we reached the steps before the pavilion overlooking the arena. My breath faltered as I attempted to place my foot on the first step. Unable to move, my body froze in fear. The trials cost me Elisabeth.
I clutched my stomach as it churned, and my chest tightened. Losing her was too much. I couldn’t make it up the stairs and face another trial. Not without her. What else would be taken? My heartbeat pounded in my ears, drowning out the world around me.
Kalliah shuffled around before reaching toward me, quickly adjusting my belts and buckles to provide me a moment to regain my composure. Despite some of her brashness, it was her empathy and kindness that allowed us to have such a close friendship. She made my hesitation seem to those passing as though she was adjusting my outfit, giving me the space to breathe when I needed it most.
“You are Illiana Dresden. You are strong. You are worthy. You are a damn princess, born to rule this land,” she whispered while the guards looked on from the left suspiciously.
“I miss her.” I shut my eyes, letting my grief roll over my shoulders and down my back.
Kalliah knelt, pretending to adjust my shoe. “Elisabeth may have been taken from this world, but she can never be taken from your heart. She will always be with you. With all of us who choose to remember.”
Taking several deep breaths, I grounded myself, sinking my short heels deeper into the dirt below me. I let myself feel the soft ground, the floral scent sprinkled in the warm wind.
What do you see? Elisabeth’s voice rang in my ears.
Kalliah’s determination shone on her face, portraying how much she believed we’d be okay. My people’s cheers in the arena may have been from excitement at the entertainment of today, but I knew they were worthy and honored the throne.
What do you feel?
Scared. Nervous.
But not alone. Kalliah was right. I was the damn crowned princess, and I would not falter now. I looked down at her as she worked the laces of my shoes. Exhaling slowly, she looked up, straight into my eyes.
“You are Princess Illiana Dresden, and you are stronger than the darkness within you.”
I am Princess Illiana Dresden, and I am stronger than the darkness within me.
Steeling my nerves, I grasped Kalliah’s hand, pulling her to stand beside me. Together, we made our way up the marble staircase to the pavilion of advisers waiting for us.
Waiting for me.
I refused to let go of Kalliah’s hand in case Andras forced her to leave and sit in the stands or stay in the palace to prepare for tonight’s celebration. Lucinda almost always managed to steal Kalliah away to assist with the laundry, or some other menial tasks. She hated someone who should be a mere servant, being seen as so much more. Kalliah had earned her place at my side, and I would be damned if I didn’t prove to my kingdom her importance today. Things would change in Brookmere. They would change with me.
My parents were already seated in their respective places, and the curtain of roses hanging around the pavilion rustled in the wind. Andras whispered something into my father’s ear as he frowned.
My throat tightened the second I rounded the thrones to face the king and queen. I froze. The dark circles beneath my parents’ eyes were threatening to take over their entire faces. The pure exhaustion Fae so rarely displayed was more evident than ever. My father’s shoulders were hunched, and the glow and joy once exuding from their souls seemed matte and tame. My mother’s body now matched my father’s, even though I knew she wasn’t ill.
The worry consuming me earlier was nothing compared to the absolute terror I felt looking at the two of them. How could we be worried about a foolish marriage trial when the king looked like this? We needed to be scouring the kingdom far and wide to find a healer who could replace Elisabeth. Not that Maria wasn’t great, she did her best. There just had to be someone else out there who could assist with my father’s healing. He was the king!
I couldn’t lose him, too, not so soon. Not ever if I had my way.
Kalliah squeezed my hand firmly as she brought me back to the present moment. She gave me a stern glare, seeming to say, “Get through today first.”
Right. She was right.
Pushing my worry down to the darkest parts of my being, I rolled my shoulders and strode forward to the front of the dais to join my parents.
I am Illiana Dresden, and I am stronger than the darkness within me.
A podium had been placed at the front of the dais, for my father to stand behind. A subtle tool for him to be able to support himself without appearing weak in front of the kingdom and amplify his voice with help from magic already imbued into the stand. The small, glowing orb of power hidden from everyone in the crowd would give the illusion of the same amplification of his voice they were accustomed to. In reality, the assistance he required served as a stark reminder of his lessening powers. He managed a flick of his wrist to open the flower veil before him. A roar from the audience heralded our appearance.
“Welcome one and all to the final marriage trial! After today’s trial, we will have the final three contenders from which Princess Illiana will select, not only as her husband, but as the future King of Brookmere!”
A roar from the crowd drowned out even the amplified nature of my father’s words, their excitement building.
“Today, you will witness one of these contenders alongside your Princess and know who has been selected as worthy to become Brookmere’s future successor.” He raised his hands as the crowd somehow cried out even louder.
The five remaining contenders entered the arena in a single-file line from the holding area. Casimir and Ryland waved to the crowd in delight, Ryland with more of a smile than Casimir. Hale blushed with embarrassment, but tried to remain calm, waving here and there. Ian and Kade remained stoic, gazes trained forward, determined, even if the crowd chanted loudest for them. I swear I could hear both of their names rising from the spectators.
As the five men paused to stand in front of the king, he announced each of them to the crowd. When their name was called, they pivoted, taking a bow in front of the stands.
This part of the trial was a complete and total show. It was all for the Fae. As much as all of our lives were on the line to change, they needed to think we were just as excited as they were.
Hale smiled wildly in my direction, waving eagerly to the crowd and placing his hand upon his heart, bowing low to me before turning to the spectators.
When did Hale become such a good man after all?
Ryland gave a quick smirk, but quickly became preoccupied and stared off into the distance.
Ian shot me a small wink when his name was announced, and the crowd didn’t even wait for the king to finish stating his name before they cheered.
Kade was announced last. While he gave the crowd the wave they were obviously yearning for, his body stiffened. When he turned to face me, I couldn't help but feel a shock of excitement run up and down the length of my spine. His shadows began pooling beneath him, and I longed to reach out and wrap myself around them. They were a magnet I could not ignore. The way they branched out from him only in my direction, I let myself believe they wanted me just as badly. The arena echoed with a deafening roar. Even I clapped a little louder for Kade as the king signaled he was ready to continue.
“Today our mighty contenders will test their strength and ability with a weapons test. They must show they are capable of protecting themselves, their kingdom, and the throne. There will be three tasks of sword fighting, archery, and hand-to-hand combat.”
This week's arena had been marvelously recreated to a flat stadium. Divided into thirds, a cache of weapons stood to the right, a bow range in the middle, and an empty ring to the left.
“Be brave, my fellow Fae. Show the queen and myself, as well as Princess Illiana, how you are willing to fight for not only her hand, but the Kingdom of Brookmere!”
The crowd’s unyielding excitement didn’t falter. They’d have to grow weary at some point, wouldn’t they?
A moment later, Vivienne appeared beside my father to offer her blessing for the trial.
He took her hand and let her stand next to him by the podium, his knuckles white from gripping the edge so hard.
Vivienne’s unruly hair stood tall all around, framing her face. She looked like she had been struck by lightning.
She glanced warily at my father before speaking, “Times a foot, times a foot. Take heart contenders.”
Her head jerked to the side strangely, eyes widening as she glanced at me, her body taught.
“Danger! Fights! A change of fate! Beware the tide that shifts too late.”
Her eyes gleamed with worry. She turned to the king and grabbed his arm, attempting to tell him something, but with the podium already amplified, it echoed across the arena.
“King, King! Trials of fate, or not, it mustn't! Something dark and wicked tries and binds. Everywhere it runs.”
He rubbed her arm. “We are almost done, Vivienne, please.”
She shook her head erratically. “Fates be wary. Turn back before the darkness clings to life and hangs the future on a pin with a knife.”
She rocked back and forth on her feet, her eyes darting around as the words flowed through her being.
My mother rose from her throne, standing at Vivienne’s side to gently take her other arm and try to lead her away.
The king shook her hand off of his arm, turned back to the crowd and smiled. Carefully, raising his arms above his head, he took a breath to continue.
Vivienne panicked and appeared as though she were going to collapse. She turned to me, and the king laughed to try to calm the crowd.
The Seer knelt before me, hidden now by the podium as my father attempted to play off her words of the danger we might behold today. She grasped my arms. Tears were brimming in her eyes. “Mustn’t linger. Mustn’t stay! You’ll know when Fate has had its say.”
I shook my head. I didn’t understand what she was muttering. It was all nonsensical. Something seemed different about her, and as I stared at her, I gasped. Her eyes were completely white. What was going on?
I directed my attention to my mother, whose face turned ashen in shock. Whatever was happening, the queen believed every word our Seer spewed, and she was worried.
Shifting back to Vivienne, I tried to ease her hands from my arms, but she gripped me so tightly she left a mark. Elisabeth respected Vivienne. She’d been her friend. I couldn’t ignore a small voice deep within me telling me to listen now. “Yes, Vivienne, I’m here. What are you trying to say? I’m listening. I’m listening.”
She continued to mutter unintelligible words, completely panicked. I didn’t know what else to do to calm her down, holding her hands, repeating I was here for her, was all I could think of doing. A loud boom sounded as the trial commenced.
As much as I wanted to help her, I didn’t want to miss any of the trials. My fear for Ian and Kade was too great from what happened in the other two trials. I squeezed her hand. “Let’s sit down.” Nodding to a guard, they took our Seer’s trembling body and walked her back to her seat. She relented, seemingly calmed from the vision supposedly blessed by nature.
Watching the chaos of her mind play out, it made sense why there weren’t any other Seers. But for the first time, my heart ached for Vivienne. I didn’t know what I believed, if her words rang true or not, but experiencing what she just did couldn’t be easy. What a lonely, terrifying existence.
I twisted in my seat, facing the arena below. I’d make amends with the Seer when the people I loved were safe and done with these trials. I didn’t have to believe her to treat her kindly.
The five contenders had moved to their respective positions in front of the archery course. Quivers were hung across the backs of all the contenders as they nocked their arrows, gathering their sights. Kade, Ian, and Ryland, were clearly apt at archery as the string of the bow sat tight against their lip faster than Casimir and Hale could move.
Ryland released his arrow as a tremor shook the arena, trailing up into the stands. The entire pavilion vibrated as well.
Hale, about to shoot his arrow, stumbled as a second, larger tremor ricocheted throughout the grounds.
The once-voracious crowd grew eerily silent. All we heard was the whistle of the arrows hitting their targets as the second quake ended. The shock and surprise of what had rippled twice through the arena fully captured all of our attention.
Vivienne fled the pavilion, panic-stricken. No one followed her. The guards were clearly too afraid of what the Fates might bestow upon them should they attempt to stop her.
Kade and Ian turned to each other on the field before both glancing up at me. I rose from my chair, moving to the front of the dais as the silence stretched on, my heart beating wildly. A familiar electric heat filled the air around us.
Silence broke as a lone shout echoed across the arena. A loud, wailing cry followed immediately after.
Not just any cry, though, a battle cry, and it roared across the palace lands.
Before I could gather my wits, or look at my father, the arena flooded with hundreds of Fae. But not just any Fae.
Fae clearly infected with the darkness. An army of dark ones. At their side, terrible creatures from Brookmere’s forests joined them, flooding into the arena.
The Palace at Ellevail was under attack.