12. Chapter Twelve
Chapter twelve
The following days pass in a blur of endless social events with our visitors and preparations for the Trials, finalizing details for the medal presentation, briefing the thirty teams competing, making sure we have safety measures and Remedies in place in case of injuries, plus hours and hours of endless meetings.
Being the only woman shut away in a stuffy room with a bunch of self-important men who love to hear themselves talk is not my idea of a good time. I can't say I'll miss those now that the final day of the Renewal has arrived.
Meanwhile, the twins and I have been busy making plans and acquiring supplies.
We'll be travelling through densely packed forests, hoping to make it to the handful of inns and lodges along the way if we can cover enough distance.
Otherwise, we'll be putting up the tents Willa's organized and sleeping rough, one thing about travelling I'm really not looking forward to.
That and the whole not having access to a bathing room thing I refuse to think about.
Since people think we're going to the Grotto, nobody blinked at the twins sourcing bedrolls and stocking up on provisions with the kitchens.
That left me on transport and sorting out med supplies.
The basics were easy; Hortica let me take whatever I needed.
I'm confident that invitation was not meant to include the bottle of hard-to-brew salixa vine tincture for pain relief, or the highly regulated fast healing tonic intended for emergencies and to supplement the healing magic of a four-star Remedy.
I push away the guilt over taking it, knowing I won't survive the intensity of a ride across the island with a complete lack of stamina and fitness. Plus, I can't put the twins at risk if either of them get injured and all they have is me to take care of them.
I'm heading for the Trials arena, lost in thoughts of tomorrow and finally leaving the city, when Drea falls into step with me, her emerald green Endurer leathers showing off her toned, athletic figure.
She brushes her short, dark blonde hair off her face, revealing the vivid blue streak underneath, exactly the same shade streaking the tail of her Amplifier.
"Hey, Sis. I thought you'd already be down there, rushing around," she teases. "Surely you have some big committee responsibilities today?"
The trials are brutal to compete in and fun to watch, if you ignore all the blood. It’s a full-day celebration; trade talks have wrapped, and the Renewal formalities are complete. Now, it's all about the competition between realms and usually drinking stupid amounts of ale or spirits.
"None of the other organizers wanted to miss the action, so most tasks today have been delegated," I reply, picking up the pace to match her strides.
"All I had to do this morning was make sure the team of Remedy healers were situated, now I'm free to be a spectator.
At least until medal presentation tonight. "
My other task this morning was reluctantly leaving tokens for the tavern lowlifes at the main entrance. Unsurprisingly, there was no response to my complaint. Maybe they got a slap on the wrist, though likely not even that. So, as much as I hated doing it, I figured it was safest.
Drea nods, glazing sideways at me. "I've hardly seen you this week. How did your event in the Triv go?"
"It was great. Any chance you can finally come to the next one? There's plenty of heavy lifting to do. You could be my favorite older sister and put all that endurance and muscle to use for a good cause."
She scoffs at my not-subtle flattery. "I'm your only older sister, and, unlike you, I don't fill every second of my limited free time doing things that seem a lot like work."
"Fair enough," I laugh, even though she couldn't be further from the truth with her assumptions.
"Speaking of sisters, you looking forward to seeing ours tomorrow?"
"Oh. Yeah, definitely," I mutter quickly, not even convincing myself.
Drea grabs my arm so I'm forced to stop walking. "Aly, what's going on?"
"Nothing, just distracted. Of course I can't wait to see Bri." Damn, the words still don't sound natural. I'm usually a much better liar. At least I'm holding her stare, trying to look excited.
"Are you worried about leaving the city? Don't be. You'll be completely safe," she says, writing my awkwardness off as nerves. "You're going through the portal on the way there, and you'll have guards for the ride home."
"You're right. I'm sure it will be fine." We start walking again. "What about you? How was your first time at the Offering? Are you home for a while now?"
She raises her brows, eventually accepting the subject change. "The Offering was definitely interesting. You know I can't tell you about it, though, so don't ask. As for being at home, I'm not sure it's for long, so I've been trying to make the most of sleeping in my own bed while I can."
I shoot her a teasing look. "Since when do you sleep in your own bed? I'm surprised Father hasn't turned your room into an office by now." Despite being thirty-three and carrying the added pressure of being a goldenblood, Drea has so far refused to be matched.
My parents seem to have given up on her for now, since, unlike me, she doesn't give a damn about their approval on any aspect of her life.
She's always freely explored her sexuality with anyone she felt drawn to.
I've even heard rumors she had a fling with one of the other Foundations.
A pretty big risk for both of them, considering the consequences.
The lawmakers didn't think it through when they banned all relationships between goldenbloods. Losing one of the four bloodlines and risking the barrier would be catastrophic, but there's nothing like making something forbidden and having to sneak around to increase the appeal.
Drea lets out a loud chuckle, nudging me in the ribs. "Excellent point. Far too much fun to be had elsewhere." We turn the corner into a side tunnel and stop dead, almost smacking straight into the tall, leather-clad man leaning against the wall.
"Fun? That's rich. Does your sister even know what fun is, Adreanna?" Kentiz drawls lazily, steadying me with a tight grip on my elbow. "If it isn't my future wife. It's been a while, Alyxia."
I scowl, finding my balance and wrenching my arm free, desperate not to let memories of that dusty storeroom consume me at his overly rough hold. "I am not your anything. We both know it's just the bloodline you want."
He shakes his pale blond hair out of his eyes, letting them roam down my body. Nausea coils in my stomach at his blatant perusal. "I wouldn't say it's just that. There are other appealing aspects to our match. Tell you what, I'll come find you after the Trials and show you what I mean, sweetheart."
Drea pushes in front of me before I can react.
"You've still got over a year to wait until she’s even eligible for a match, so back off," my sister hisses up at him. "A lot can happen in that time. Who’s to say she’ll even match at thirty?
I'm proof enough that doesn’t always happen.
In fact, maybe you should consider someone else. Aly might not be ready for years."
His face turns a splotchy red, and a rush of gratitude for Drea swells in my chest. While I can defend myself, I'm thankful not to be alone with him in a situation I never want to repeat.
Kentiz steps around my sister, staring me down.
"Your parents might not agree with that sentiment.
Not to mention the King. Last I checked, they're pretty anxious to see a continuation of the golden Reyaal bloodline.
So the minute you're of age and what little magic you do have settles, it's a pretty safe bet we'll be matched and, well…
you know the rest." He laughs, and my nausea increases, knowing full well he's unfortunately not wrong.
"Doesn't mean I'll pick you," I snap, and he leers.
"As I said, we'll see what your parents have to say about it. Besides, I'm one of the most powerful Wielders, the right age for you, and, most importantly, not from a Foundation family. Who else are you going to wait around for?"
"Oh, I don't know. Someone I like, or at least respect, for a start."
Kentiz scoffs, not in the least bit bothered by my rebuke. "How naive you must be to think that has anything to do with it."
Drea brushes past him and grabs my hand. "Come on, Aly. Let's get to the arena." I nod and let her pull me down the corridor toward the growing sounds of the crowd. "Whatever you do, you can't let them make you marry that guy. He's vile."
"Trust me, I know," I reply breathlessly, hurrying after her. "I can't believe I ever thought he was attractive." She laughs as we step through the gate at the end of the tunnel and into the bright sunshine.
"I'm going to find my squad. Are you watching with the twins?" I nod, spotting them in the stands about halfway up, drinks in hand. "If I don't see you later, we'll catch up once you're back from the Grotto. Try to convince Bri to come home with you, ok?"
"Will do," I reply, waving to Felix when he lifts his full glass in greeting, promptly spilling amber liquid down the side.
I turn back to my sister to find her watching me with narrowed eyes.
"I'm heading up, see you later." Drea nods, and I pick up my skirts to climb the steep stairs, already shaking my head at the drink Willa holds out to me. "It's too early in the morning."
"It's practically lunch time, or will be in a few hours," she laughs, pushing the cup into my hand.
I grimace and take a small sip. "How come it took you so long to get down here?
We saw you and Drea walking, but you looked like you were having an intense conversation, so we didn't want to interrupt. "
"Aly, finally," Felix half-shouts, draping an arm around my shoulder. "Are you ready for bloodshed?" I laugh at the excitement glazing his eyes, though maybe it's also liquor.