Page 50 of A Storm Rises

Behind her father loomed Raelor. His diamond eyes were sparkling with menace. A hunt attendant dashed forward with a silver tray. He took the Shadowblood, placed it on top, and stepped back.

Her father rose and raised his hand. The crowd quieted. His voice boomed. “The High Queen and I accept the prize as offered by Princess Avalynn Stromm of Summit Range. She is recognized as the first-place finisher.” He turned to the left. “We also accept the forfeit of Selene Baffin of Sand Bluff. Without penalty.” He turned to the right. “We honor the bravery and sacrifice of Eiric Lind of Cuesta and Finnian Baffin of High Meadow.”

A series of trumpet blasts and the cheering cranked back up. She searched the crowd for Selene but didn’t see her. Not that it mattered.

Her father raised both hands. As the crowd quieted again, he shot Avalynn an ominous glare. His lips curled at the edges. “The High Queen and I declare the Sublander as the last place finisher. Execution of their hunter in three days and banishment of the province in thirty days hence. As it is declared, so let it be done.”

Aforgotten flame ignited inside of Mateo. Once again, everything was on fire. Guards pinned him to the grass while he flailed, writhed, and kicked. A guard’s boot smashed into his back, another pressed his cheek into the sod while two more subdued his wrists. But at least Stormshroud had darted off and gotten away.

Thunderous crowd cheers rang out. With his face half planted, he watched from the corner of his eye as Avalynn presented her kill to her father. Although somewhat muffled, he heard the High King’s edict for his execution and the decree of his province’s banishment.

Time slowed down. His fate had been decided. Avalynn had deceived him.

He flushed away the memories of the Green Falls. He should have known better than to trust her—vile and wicked highborn—just like every last one of them.

A thick black boot along with a thick axe slammed into the dirt beside his face. Master Kragar, the Mad Dwarf. “Lowborns never win,” he sneered and waved his hand. “Take him away.”

Arms yanked Mateo to his feet. He needed the counsel of his travel companions. “Lady Verona and Rhyka! I demand to see them!”

An angry mob gathered around him. The guards pushed him forward into the fray. Gobs of spit pelted his cheek. A petite hand reached through the rabid mass. Maid Nia’s face popped into view. “I will tell your companions,” she said hastily, trotting beside him as the guards pulled him toward the palace. “I will tell them right away.”

Nia provided him with a sliver of hope. “Thank you.”

Perhaps Lady Verona or Rhyka could reverse his fate. He knew no others at Stromm Palace other than Avalynn, the betrayer. As if she would or could help him. She had chosen. So much for protecting Princess Avalynn. What a joke.

Guards yanked and dragged Mateo through the gardens, past the main palace, toward a tall, skinny tower. They shoved him through a thick wooden door and forced him down a torch-lit corridor that smelled of sweat and urine. At the end of the hallway awaited a room with bars, a bucket, and a cot. The guards crammed him into the cell. Clink. The prison door closed with a final insult. “Lowborn scum.”

Breathless, Mateo froze, yet a tidal wave rushed throughout him. His hands shook. His heart screamed. Bonk. He banged his head against the cool metal bars. He trusted Avalynn, and she betrayed him. Bonk. She manipulated him and seduced him. Bonk. She spewed enough lies to make him do exactly what she wanted—a Stromm, through and through. Bonk. Bonk. Blood dripped down his face. He would be executed and his people banished from the Sublands…all because of her. Bonk. Maybe his father, Floriana, and Poppy had died already. Did it even matter now? He killed the first Shadowblood and ended up with last place. His quest was doomed from the beginning. He was defeated before the hunt began. The High King always got what he wanted in the end.

Backing away from the bars, he slumped onto the wooden cot. He leaned over with his elbows on his legs and his hands clasped tight in front of him. A solitary tear joined the blood streaming down his face. One tear led to another, then another. He had disappointed his people, and it sickened him. His only saving grace was that they wouldn’t know how he had trusted and was then betrayed by a highborn, a Stromm princess.

From down the corridor came a tinkering echo, followed by stomping boots. A trio of guards escorted Lady Verona and Rhyka toward his cell. “Only a few minutes.” The guard backed away but stayed in view.

His hope brightened. They wouldn’t have come without information or a plan. He clenched the cold bars and whispered while pressing his face close. “You have to get me out of here.” Surely there was something one or the other of them could do. They were his only chance.

Lady Verona pulled a linen square from her pocket and passed it to him without meeting his eyes. “There is nothing we can do. We are to be escorted from the palace grounds and sent home immediately after we leave you here, with orders to prepare the Sublands for an exodus.”

His hand hovered in midair. He was stunned but not entirely surprised. What did he expect? He took the linen square and gave into his plight. “I understand.” He wiped the square across his bloody face.

Rhyka spoke in a hushed tone. “There is still something that you can do.” Her crooked finger poked through the bars. “Summon your power.”

Still with that? He shook his head. This witch’s earlier claims were nothing more than mere guesses. “You were right about the powers, but you were wrong about the person.”

Rhyka leaned in and dipped her chin. “What do you mean?”

“My betrayer, Princess Avalynn, has the power you speak of. The blue light came from her when a dragon attacked us in the forest.” She’d probably only saved him so she could betray him and hand him over as the last place finisher. Keep your enemies close, and then even closer.

Lady Verona turned to Rhyka. “A dragon? From the North? They’re back?”

Rhyka’s sparkling eyes blinked. “I have heard but did not know the veracity of the rumor. I will look into it.” She brought her attention back to Mateo. “But what about these powers? Are you sure of what you saw?”

Verona added, “Yes, the powers. Tell us.”

“Perhaps he saw an illusion,” Rhyka said to Verona. “Maybe his power channeled through her.”

“Enough!” He tossed the bloodied square. “It does not matter! If you can’t help me, then I am done for in three days’ time. Your words, your prophecies, your madness… They are all for naught!” He steadied his breathing. He slowed his thundering heart. He wanted them to leave him be. They could not help and were of no use to him any longer. He needed to be alone now.

“Of course,” Verona said.

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