Page 46 of Their Trials

Her cryptic words piqued my interest. “I’ll do my best.” I couldn't make any promises except to try.

“I couldn't ask for anything more than that. Have faith in yourself, darling. Because I do and so do those men out there. It's time you started believing in yourself, too.”

With those words bolstering me, we exited my room to find all the guys hovering around the door to our suite. “Took you long enough,” Callum growled, true to form.

“It takes effort to look this good,” I sassed back at him.

“And damn, do you look good. Absolutely delectable,” Lennox said, sauntering over to take my hand, kissing my knuckles, and drawing out a laugh from me.

“Down boy,” Baer teased, coming over to kiss my cheek. “We have places to be.”

“Now, if any of you ruin her makeup before she has a chance to get to the ball, I will skin each of you alive,” Juniper threatened playfully at our antics. Lennox raised his hands in supplication and surrender as all of us laughed.

“Come on, Rhowyn, we should probably leave now before these two can no longer control themselves.” Arryn took my arm in his, leading me down the hall like a real lady. I smiled up at him as he guided me down the maze of hallways. With each step closer to the ballroom, I gripped his arm tighter, my anxiety returning two-fold. I swallowed, unsure if I'd be able to face what was waiting for me.

Lennox, Callum, and Baer went through the double doors, all announced by Jensen, but I froze, unable to get my feet to move across the threshold.

Arryn leaned down as if speaking seductively to me, instead whispering words of encouragement. “I will be with you every step of the way. If you need absolutely anything, just say the word, and I'll make it happen as quickly as I can,” he promised, pulling back to meet my eyes. He nodded as if to say I could do this.

Having his support in this moment gave me the strength to take the first step through the doors, then the next, and the next. Before I knew it, I was across the room, my anxiety fading the further we made it into the crowd without the world falling apart.

He was right. I could do this. I would do this. I wouldn't allow the Queen to have the satisfaction of keeping me from this moment, no matter how afraid I really was.

Baer snagged a couple glasses of wine from a passing server and handed one to me. I drank half of it in one go, needing the liquid courage but not wanting a repeat of last time. Exhaling a deep breath, I forced my muscles to slowly relax as I scanned the room, seeing Charity in a gorgeous champagne colored gown that floated when she moved. She was over by the table with the refreshments, slightly distanced from the throngs of people swarming the other Chosen, her consorts hovering over her.

Smiling, I released Arryn's arm. “I'm going to go say hi to Charity,” I told him. I caught the look he sent Callum, sending him after me to act as my bodyguard. I laughed softly, shaking my head, pleased at the measures they took for me. It made me feel treasured in a way that I had never experienced.

Charity spotted me when I’d made it halfway, giving me a huge grin and wave. I smiled back at her widely. As I got near, she pulled me into a hug, rocking me back and forth in her excitement. “I'm so glad to see you. Of course, I knew you'd be here, this being in your honor and all, but I wasn't sure if you'd take the time to speak with me, especially after what happened in the maze,” she rambled out nervously.

“Relax, Charity,” I told her, placing a hand on her shoulder. “We're all good. It wasn't y'all's fault. The Ankou was responsible for everything that was said.”

“Still, we owe you all an apology. We're all ashamed of the way we treated you all after all the ways you and your consorts helped us. We wouldn't have made it out of there without your help,” she pleaded with me. “We are truly sorry and want to give you our thanks and gratitude.” Her hand held my forearm in desperation.

I placed my free hand over hers. “Seriously, it's all good. No grudges here. I'm just glad y'all managed to make it out of there safely. Arryn filled me in and let me know that y'all made it out shortly before we left.”

“Yeah. That was the hardest thing I've ever had to do. The scariest, too. I sure hope the next trial isn't as challenging,” she confided in me.

I laughed. “Me too, but I get the feeling that things are only going to get more difficult as we go along. At least for me, anyway.”

“I hope not,” she said, her eyes widening in fear.

“I'm sure you’ll do well. You have some pretty good consorts there who all care for you deeply,” I assured her, not wanting her to worry.

She got a dreamy look on her face as her gaze darted to them. “Yeah, I got pretty lucky in that department.”

I laughed. “I can't argue there. Mine seem to be a pretty good match for me, too.”

“Oh!” Her excitement caused her to widen her expressive honey eyes. “Things going well for you too?” She fished for the details I would never share.

I laughed. “A lady never kisses and tells,” I said with a wink, my tone indicating that we had indeed taken things to the next step.

Before I could say anything more, Callum stepped up behind me, whispering softly in my ear. “Careful, Trouble. Lady Branwen and her group are approaching on your left. She's the one in the blue gown.” My eyes looked to that direction discreetly, finally able to put a face to the name. Taking note, I nodded in understanding.

“I'm sorry, Charity, but my guys are needing me for a moment. I'll come find you again later if I can,” I said, excusing myself so I could put some distance between myself and Lady Branwen.

Following my line of sight, Charity nodded in understanding. “Of course. I'm just so happy to have had the chance to speak with you tonight. Enjoy your evening.”

“You too,” I told her, giving her a hug before letting Callum lead me back to Arryn, who had moved to speak with another group of fae.

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