Page 57 of Once the Skies Fade

“You hid it for years. How did you do it then?”

“I was happy, Isa. It’s like my heart didn’t need their help then. My parents’ death roused the shadows a bit. I could feel them stirring, but I don’t know. Maybe it’s because I had Brennan steadying me. I didn’t need the darkness. And then…he…”

Thankfully Isa didn’t finish the thought for me but bobbed her head slowly, her eyes peering up to the ceiling as she contemplated all I’d said. A few shaky breaths later, she caught my gaze again, and her face lit up with hope.

Gripping my shoulders with both hands, she said, “I’ll talk to the healers tonight. I’m sure they’ll have something to help with the panic when it hits. If we can quell that, it should keep your powers from reacting.”

“But what if I need them?”

“The hope is not to suppress the shadows completely but to calm the emotions that are calling them out. You should be able to harness them as needed. We need to keep you in control of them, not the other way around.”

“Are you sure the healers can help?”

“If such a tonic exists, they will know of it, and I will get it for you. Once the first trial starts, I will bring it to you.”

Ice shot up my spine at the mention of the trial. My mind flooded with images of what the forest would do to the males who entered tomorrow. While I’d never witnessed it myself, I had heard the screams of the unlucky souls who had traipsed through it the first time. I had seen the bones left to decompose on the forest floor.

“Are you sure this first trial is wise? Is it too cruel?”

Isa’s brow tightened, lowering over her eyes. “It was your idea, Calla, and it was a good one. You don’t have a lot of time. The faster we cull the lot, the closer we get to securing your crown.” She paused, a hint of suspicion clouding her gaze. “Are you concerned for a particular male’s safety?”

“Of course not,” I balked. “Don’t be absurd. I don’t want any of them to die, but that’s not the same as worrying over their safety.”

“So why the hesitation now, after weeks of preparation?”

I searched my mind for a reason, for any hint of the cause for the unease building in my gut.

Isa continued to speak through my silence. “They all knew what they were facing in these games. We made the danger clear. We need our next king to?—”

“You’re right,” I said quickly, but her words had already stung my heart.

Next king.

Was this to be my life from now on—constantly, continuously having my soul’s wounds ripped open by mere words and glances from strangers?

“You’re right,” I repeated. “But do you think it was wrong to hire?—”

“Stop. No more second-guessing yourself. You know we don’t have the numbers to guard the entire forest; we need his help. Trust yourself. Trust me.”

Biting down on my lip, I repeated her words in my head.

Stop second-guessing yourself.

We had spent countless hours devising these trials, ensuring they tested the males for the qualities that would best serve our kingdom. I had known this plan would mean some would die, and even suffer greatly as they did. If I couldn’t escape the torturous fate of having to marry again, then why did I want to spare them pain as they fought for my hand?

No, if I hurt, then so would they. If they wanted to one day share my bed, they were going to have to earn it.

Chapter 28

Matthias

From the haggard looks of everyone gathered outside the castle, it was plain that no one had gotten any rest since the dinner last night. Even the queen’s general appeared less put-together than usual, her body rigid and muscles tense despite her casual stance. She didn’t bother with any pleasantries but dove right into her instructions, lightly kicking a wooden crate sitting beside her.

“Once the sun peeks up over the horizon, you will enter Vael Forest at your assigned positions.”

Everyone stiffened at the mention of the enchanted woods. Reaching into her pocket, she produced a circular gold pendant barely larger than her palm, dangling at the end of a black cord. She held it out in front of her and pivoted so we could all see—as best we could in the pre-dawn light—the fox and ivy leaf design carved into it.

“Twelve medallions bearing the Vael family crest have been distributed throughout the forest. Your objective is two-fold. First, survive. Second, retrieve one of these medallions. Return to these steps once the skies fade with the setting sun, and not a moment before. Each survivor who arrives on time with a medallion in hand will qualify for the next round and earn fortypoints. For every quarter hour you are late, though, ten points will be deducted. Lose all forty points by arriving late, and you will be disqualified. Should you survive with no medallion in hand, you will be disqualified and remain at the castle until the tournament’s conclusion. You can collect multiple medallions, but you will only receive points for one of them; any extras retrieved will earn you nothing.”

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