Page 106 of Barbi and the Villain

“Four weeks from now, there will be a festivity in the village. It is our annual moon festival. The High Priestess will not personally attend, but she will be watching. Based on your performance that night, she will decide whether to allow you to meet with her.”

I frown.

“Our performance? What do you mean?”

His eyes move from me to Nykander.

“There is a celebration, of course. But each year, there is a competition to crown the King and Queen of the Moon. It is a silly custom, of course. The High Priestess has not specifically expressed that she wishes you to attain those titles, but it would not hurt to try. The winners are always invited to spend an evening with her.”

“And how would we go about winning?”

Jeya smiles.

“That you will find out during the festival. Each year, the High Priestess comes up with different tasks.”

With that, he turns to leave. But not before he scolds the youths hanging by the window and telling them to go do their chores.

Nykander is silent as he mulls over Jeya’s words.

“I’m sure it can’t be anything too hard,” I say in an attempt to alleviate his worries.

His lips flatten.

“Or it might be intentionally hard. A test. And if we do not pass…”

“Don’t be so pessimistic.” I hit him playfully in the shoulder. “The villagers might have powers, but I doubt anyone is as strong as you.”

In our time in the village, we’ve witnessed some of the abilities of the people around. They ranged from control over the elements, to the manipulation of metals and enhanced senses. Yet despite their abilities, they are all mortals, which makes Nykander the only god/demon around.

“I appreciate your trust in me, but this trial might not measure strength, or abilities. And do not forget it is King and Queen, which means you will need to win as well.”

“And you think I won’t?” I raise a brow at him. “I was born to win. You should see the trophies I got at all the dance competitions I attended with PomPom. One might say I revolutionized tandem dancing with dogs.”

He shakes his head at me.

“I doubt you are going to be asked to dance with your dog.”

“You never know,” I fire back. “It might be a secret talent show. And that is my secret talent. Not only is my routine with PomPom flawless, but it also shows how well I trained her.”

“And here I thought your secret talent was to talk someone’s ear off,” he mutters.

“Hey!” My eyes widen. “What did you say?” I narrow my eyes at him, picking up the spoon and pointing it at him, splashing him with a few drops of stew in the process.

And here I thought things were going too good between us since we have not squabbled in a full day.

Alas, it proved to be too good to be true.

“Do not even try to deny it, Barbi.” He shakes his head in amusement.

“I never?—”

“Barbi.” He sighs, though a smile pulls at his lips. “You speak an average of two hundred and five words per minute when you are excited.”

“Two hundred and five?” My lashes flutter. “That is a very exact number…”

“Of course.” He nods. “I counted.”

“You…counted?”

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