Page 100 of Princess of Air

The last thing I wanted was to get worked up about this before the trial. This is exactly the type of distraction I don’t need. I should have sealed my rooms. Nina is out of her mind to lay this on me now!

But none of our feelings on the matter are of any importance. Now it’s time to find out who will sit next on Mother’s throne.

Chapter fifty

Rylan refuses to look at me. I let it focus me rather than upset me. Our fight replays in my mind—every patronizing, selfish sentiment. I tried to be the good sibling, and he hasn’t the slightest gratitude for it. What kind of behavior is that for a king?

The final trial is more remote than the first two. Repairs to the arena will take some time, and being near the clash of magic has proven dangerous. Instead, we are out in the middle of nowhere with a fraction of the audience. Only the ministry and high houses attend, all the better since there was very little notice for this one.

Nina might have demonstrated that we are too dangerous to be trusted, but it’s been spun quite nicely. No one had ever seen this magic in such full force, us included. Trying to use our elements against each other has brought out new ways to use them alongside greater levels of awe and adoration. Our people are more amazed by us than they’ve ever been.

There’s no need for as much spectacle this time. Lords and ladies gather under picturesque shady trees too perfect to have shaped themselves. Spring’s floral presence is fading across the kingdom as temperatures rise, but Mother and Rylan have gardened the spot well for the occasion. The rainbow of blooms on the topiaries would be a charming setting for a festive tea. Perhaps this trial won’t be as destructive as the previous ones.

Attendants flutter behind the aristocrats and representatives, bringing them drinks and fans. Nina weaves through the small crowd as the four of us approach, her route taking her to Tomas, whose gaze flicks down to my hip where his dagger rests. A breath of a smile whispers across his lips.

Mother and Father lead, and Rylan and I walk side by side perfectly oblivious of each other. Our parents stop before us, and we step to their side to greet the assembly.

“Lords and ladies of Alchos, Ministry Representatives, thank you for being here today.” Mother’s voice doesn’t require amplifying in this more intimate setting. “We are honored to have you bear witness to this historical moment.”

Nina steps close to Tomas during the introduction. She whispers to him, and I see the result on Tomas’ face. His jaw clenches, and he stiffens from head to toe. He tips his chin toward her ever so slightly, speaking through his teeth. Is it Nina’s goal to make everyone miserable today?

“Our kingdom will no doubt thrive under either of our potential rulers,” Mother continues. “Prince Rylan and Princess Arabella have always put the well-being of Alchos above all. I look forward to the future they will create.”

Applause rises after her words—not that either of us deserve it. We’ve not been concerned about Alchos. Rylan has only cared for his own position, and I’ve let my personal circumstances drive my actions. They deserve better.

Tomas narrows his eyes at Nina in disbelief. Either I’m getting better at lip reading, or I know his too well, because I see clear as day that he says “What?” before turning rounded eyes toward me. My heart beats a little harder. Not what I need right now, Nina.

“In this challenge, creating is exactly what they will do. One at a time,”—Oh, the desperation to keep us apart has peaked. That solves the issue of it being destructive. My attention is pulled back to my mother, where it belongs.—“they will show us what they can build with their power. We’ve seen them on offensive and defensive tasks, but such occasions are rare and do not typically require direct interference of a ruler.”

I glance sidelong at Rylan, who looks content with this task. Of course he is. What am I to create out of air?

Mother turns toward us and nods, so I step back and gesture for Rylan to proceed.

He rolls his shoulders back and presses a foot to the ground in front of himself. Six saplings spring up, encircling him. They grow and thicken, reaching for the sky and branching out toward each other. Rylan’s hands twist and stretch, molding the trees into stunning whorls as they take on decades of maturity in minutes. Leaves sprout in a wave, like an artist swept green paint around the ring of them. Above the lush cushion of leaves, the trees reach toward each other to form six grand peaks.

A new branch reaches into the center of the ring, and Rylan steps onto it. The tree raises him to stand above the living crown he’s created. “The gods saw fit to entrust my family with the powers that shaped the world.” A lifetime of preparing for this role shows now. Ry looks and sounds every bit the ruler he was always meant to be. “I shall continue to shape our kingdom, ensuring it remains the strongest in the land.”

Applause marks the end of Rylan’s performance. The tree lowers him gently, and he doesn’t look at me as we switch places. I take in his creation up close before turning back to face our audience. It is a testament to Rylan’s priority: power. That’s not me. It never could be, though I’m often told how powerful I am. Perhaps that’s the deciding factor—having power versus wanting it.

Mine buzzes within me. I close my eyes, take a deep breath, and slide my power out along the ground as I exhale. Large stones rise up, and I pull them toward me. One comes to rest before me, levitating at a height halfway up my shin. Another floats just beyond it, that much higher. I step onto the first one as more stones move into place, rising and twisting to create a spiral staircase.

“I could build almost anything.” My voice is low but carries on the wind. “Except nothing you’d see here would matter.” I continue climbing as the stone staircase forms before me, one step at a time. “The most important things I build are trust and loyalty.”

The bend turns toward those watching, and my eyes meet Tomas’. I’ve never had a problem following you, Bell. He wasn’t talking about dancing. And I don’t think he’s the only person who would feel that way.

“I don’t wish to rule over people. I want to raise them up, to shape our kingdom together, to—”

The stones fall away beneath me, and gasps resound as they crash against each other and the ground. Dust and dirt billow up from the pile. I’m left floating above it all, heart racing.

What is happening to my power?

Rylan presses his lips together, by no means hiding his satisfaction. Did he do it? Move the stones? I’ve always been able to withstand that, and I didn’t feel any struggle.

Before I realize what’s happening, the wind pulls up under Rylan. His curls ruffle in it, and he looks at me incredulously. My attempts at getting a grip on my magic fail. He rises into the air and shoots away.

Chapter fifty-one

My hand snaps up to cover my gasp. It looks like I just threw him off into the woods, and we aren’t even supposed to be confronting each other.

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