Page 9 of Princess of Air

“None at all.” I hurry into the palace, making one last sweep over myself to ensure there’s no grass on my dress, and checking the laces that cinch the outer layer around my waist. When I enter Mother’s study, everyone’s attention snaps to me.

Nina puffs out a breath with as much drama as possible. “How nice of you to join us.”

“I went for a ride.”

“Didn’t you think we had some things to discuss?”

“I was hoping to avoid the part where Marcus has to extinguish an inferno.” I sweep my skirt forward as I sit. “Have you already gone through all that?”

Father gives me a reproachful look, but it’s half-hearted. He appreciates my wit more than anyone else, though he doesn’t always approve of my timing.

Mother clears her throat. “If you’re quite done…”

“By all means, Mother.” Tomas’ crossness over my stance on the trials has me feeling cheeky, so I don’t stop when I should. “Please, do tell how any of us could possibly hope to deserve your throne.”

She ignores my impudence and gets to business. “Firstly, we must tell the kingdom what we’ll be doing. At what would have been Rylan’s coronation, we will make the announcement.”

“Do we still get to have the ball afterwards?” I ask.

Marcus groans. “Arabella, honestly.”

“The dress I’ve had made for it is truly spectacular. It would be a shame to waste it.”

“Why are you even here?” Nina asks.

I shrug a shoulder. “I have no idea. It didn’t seem optional.”

“Yes, we will have the ball,” Mother says. “This is all meant to be a good thing. We are progressing, changing, adapting, and we will celebrate as such.”

Surprising though it is, this could all be seen as a continuation of what Mother has done for her entire reign. She divided magic among us then divided power with the ministry. This is another shift from all power going to the assumed recipient.

“Afterwards,” she continues, “there will be one month for preparations, then the trials will begin.”

“Is the royal family of Ceraun still coming for the ceremony-turned-announcement?” I do so look forward to seeing my betrothed. Goodness, I can’t even turn the sarcasm off in my head.

“Yes, they are,” Father says. “And they’ll be invited to stay through the trials.”

An entire month or more with Jamys here? We haven’t spent any time together since our betrothal was agreed upon. I can’t imagine what it’ll be like to be around him. And with Tomas present so often as well… My stomach rolls.

“What will the trials consist of?” Rylan asks, much more to the point. “How will we be preparing?”

“The content of the trials will not be revealed until they begin. Each trial will test the qualities Alchos needs in a ruler as well as your magic. After the first trial, one of you will be eliminated. There will be another break of a few weeks, then a second trial, after which another will be eliminated. The trial for the final two will culminate in the crowning of our heir. Are there any questions?”

Questions? Of course not. We’ll surprise you with a challenge; good luck, seems a thorough explanation.

“How are we meant to prepare,” Nina says, “if we don’t know what’s coming?”

Father leans into his armrest. “The time is for us to prepare the trials, not for you to prepare for them.”

“Everything you’d need to win,” Mother says, “you already have. Tighten your control over your magic, focus, and be prepared for anything. Everything that truly tests a ruler is a surprise, and how you handle the unexpected says more about you than when you have time to plan.”

Marcus shifts in his chair. “Who will determine the results?”

“The Queen,” Mother says with a coy smile.

I rise from my chair. “I think this could have been left as a note.”

“Arabella, I need you to take this seriously. We are trying to preserve our monarchy and our kingdom.”

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