Page 70 of Chosen By the Fae King

“Today you will practice restraint,” Liam pronounced, drawing my attention to the front of the room.

“You will face a series of provocations designed to break your composure and elicit a magical response. Your task is to do neither.”

A hand shot up eagerly.

“I see someone is trying to think before interrupting,” Mirrelle whispered loudly, eliciting several snickers.

“Yes, Lady Cadence?”

“Sir Liam, do you not want to test the strength of our magic? Or that we can use it when someone dares to insult us? I think that's more important of a task. And I would think Nox would want a queen who would never tolerate such insolence. Oh! And I also think that it's unfair since the farmer doesn't have magic yet.”

One would think they could have put some effort into more creative names for me. Farmer wasn't an insult. It was a profession.

“I believe Prince Lorne warned you about thinking,” Liam answered in a tone better suited for a toddler.

Cadence gave an indignant gasp and Mirrelle threw her head back in delight.

“Oh, I adore that male,” she said quietly. “Hot as hell with a delicious sense of humor? If I had him in my bed I'd be hard pressed to ever let him out from between my legs.”

Raina's face shut down. Astrid elbowed Mirrelle.

The blood fae grunted. “Alright, alright. I meant no offense, Raina.”

“None taken. Your assessment is accurate and we are no longer bound.” Raina shrugged. “Plus I'm quite certain he loathes me.”

Before any of us could argue, Liam continued. “You'll be called in one at a time. The rest of you will remain here, quiet, and contemplating.”

He knocked on the door behind him. Lorne opened it from the other side and called the first name. Astrid.

The contestants split, making way until she disappeared from sight. The light fae had looked especially fierce today. Fresh runes were visible on her arms and neck, a small triangular one on her cheekbone.

Astrid had braided her red-gold mane in the style of the warriors of her sect. She had one large braid down the center and several smaller ones along the sides connecting every few inches.

I'd liked it so much I'd asked her to do something similar to mine after we'd had breakfast. My hair wasn't quite as thick as hers, so she did a series of smaller braids lined parallel to one another, pinned into a tight knot at the base of my skull.

Everyone watched the door until it opened again, some fifteen minutes later. The next name was called.

“Where is Astrid?” Sofiya quietly voiced.

“I'm sure she's fine. They must have another exit,” Raina replied. “If anyone loses composure or gets too amped up with magic they're not going to parade them through this room and risk a confrontation.”

Made sense.

Time continued passing, names were called, and I grew bored. Then it was down to Sofiya and I. Liam had gone off somewhere and only one guard was left by the exit.

My friend and I hadn't been able to talk much since so many eyes and ears were always around. Even if we had, I wasn't sure how much of my private moments with Nox I would have shared.

“What do you think happens in there? And when you leave?” I asked.

“Are you getting antsy?”

“No. Yes. I don't know.”

Sofiya laughed. “There's no actual danger today, Aeryn. We'll be fine.”

“Since when are you the one assuring me?”

“Since I figured out you might need my help more than I need yours. No, don't give me that look. The king wants you and it's freaking you out. Just because you think my nature is sweet and gentle–”

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