Page 34 of Chosen By the Fae King

Ignoring everyone in the room other than Hilda, I focused on doing everything exactly as she said. I wasn’t there to marry Nox. I didn’t need to prove myself to him.

But I'd be damned if I'd give him the satisfaction of watching me fail.

Seven

Aeryn

Raina slid into the seat across from Sofiya, her violet eyes wary. “May I join you?” she asked.

“Of course,” Sofiya said with a warm smile, which Raina easily returned.

As she situated her plate and silverware, I noticed her warm skin looked oddly pale against the fitted black shirt she was wearing.

Well, that we all were wearing. Today we were undergoing a combat and physical stamina assessment, so they'd given us flexible shirts and leggings with soft but sturdy boots. Everything was black and reminded me of the king's presumed aversion to garments in any other color.

As Raina reached for a sweet roll, a contestant walking behind her chair glared down at the back of Raina's head. “I cannot believe that mukana is here,” the female remarked acerbically.

Raina's shoulders stiffened.

I tracked the contestant who'd spoken as she made her way over to Zoriyah's table. Of course that's who she chose to spend her time with.

I swallowed a bite of porridge, my curiosity sharpening. “What does mukana mean?”

Raina set down her roll, folding her hands in her lap. “It's a foul word some mages use for opportunist.”

“Why would someone say that about you?” Sofiya asked quietly.

“The other contestants believe I am only here to win the crown. Which I find hilarious since that's the sole purpose of the trials and it's not like I had a choice.”

The trials were never a choice. Some coveted the opportunity, planned for it even, but being forced from your home by royal soldiers meant innocents were also caught in the net.

“My parents” she continued, “would do just about anything to gain status, wealth, power, or anything else they value. Me on the throne is at the top of that list. They had me training for the trials my entire life.”

I nodded to the other tables. “Look around, Raina. You weren't the only one.”

Her voice trembled. “I know. But...” she paused, blinking back tears.

I wanted to wrap my arms around her in comfort, this frost nymph I barely knew. Sofiya reached across the table, squeezing Raina's hand. “Do not listen to them.”

Raina gave her a watery smile. “Thank you.”

Her gaze shifted to Liam, who stood with Lorne, waiting for the group to finish. A complicated mix of emotions flickered over her face before she looked away, patting her eyes with her napkin.

“Their dislike of me isn't because of the training. It's because I was once betrothed to Liam.”

Sofiya and I shared a look.

“As in that Liam,” I tilted my head in the direction of the brunette guard, “over there?”

“Yes.”

“What happened?” I asked.

“Portia and Rodrik Brandenburg happened.”

When neither Sofiya nor I reacted, Raina clarified. “Those are my parents. They're infamous in much of the kingdom, something I worked hard not to be but my efforts were in vain.”

She took a drink of juice. “They brokered the betrothal when I was a babe, yet they still had me train specifically for the trials. I didn't realize that's what it was, not until they broke the contract and told me not to worry since my tutelage had all been designed with winning the hand of the king in mind.”

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