Page 83 of Once the Skies Fade

All amusement vanished from Isa’s face, hidden under a shroud of disappointment. “So you did go in there during the trial.”

I said nothing. Her hard stare made me want to sink into the sofa’s cushions until I reminded myself that I was still her queen, mistakes and poor decisions be damned. A queen didn’t cower.

“I thought you knew,” I lied, shifting my gaze away from her to inspect my fingernails.

“You’re a shit liar, Calla. How would I have known?”

“Figured that brilliant mind of yours would have deduced as much when I escorted the other injured male back from the forest.” I lifted my eyes to her again, forcing the muscles in my face to relax despite the apprehension this whole confrontation had brewed.

“Flattery? That’s what you’re going with?”

“To be fair, I never promised not to go. You only asked me to promise.”

“Silly me to think you might actually listen to me for once. I told you to buy yourself more time to choose a new king, but this strange vendetta you seem to have against the humans kept you from listening to reason. And now we’re here, with only five weeks left. What do you think the Assembly will do if they find out you interfered with a trial?”

“But I didn’t?—”

“You know the truth doesn’t matter, Calla. Perception matters when you’re the fucking queen! Especially when you’re a queen suspected of murdering her husband!”

Her words shot straight through my chest, igniting fresh rage. Of course I knew all of this. I didn’t need her throwing it in my face, constantly reminding me of the stars-damned rumors. Balling my fists, I pressed my hands down onto my lap as hard as I could. My arms shook with tremors, which only got worse the harder I tried to subdue them by pulling them tightly against my ribs.

Just as quickly as she’d gone cross with me, Isa softened, reaching for my hand once more and giving it a squeeze.

“You know I don’t think you did it, right?”

I swallowed hard. My body was still tense but now from fear instead of anger. I wanted to ask her how she knew, but I couldn’t. I’d already walked into that awkward conversation with Asher, and he had taken my silence to his question—the question Isa would surely have as well—as proof of my guilt.

Instead I only nodded, dropping my eyes to my lap where I slowly uncurled my fingers.

Isa stood and stretched out her back. “As much as I’ve loved getting to talk with you, there is a little bit of a mess downstairs I need to figure out how to clean up. Do you think Korben knows it was you who attacked him?”

I blinked up at her and lifted a shoulder. “I honestly don’t know.”

“Well, knowing the general, he probably delivered Korben to Ami. If I can get down there before he wakes up, maybe we can spin this in your favor. In the meantime, I need you to prepare.”

My throat tightened again, and my words came out weaker than I intended. “Prepare for what?”

“The Assembly insists you meet with each of the survivors from the first trial.”

“And you agreed?”

She lifted her chin slightly. “Yes. I know you don’t plan to choose one yourself, and while this isn’t one of the official trials, I do think it would be good.”

“You’re the one who told me not to take any unnecessary risks. How is it not risky having me alone in a room with males who could be here to assassinate me?”

“This was deemed necessary.”

“Why? How is this at all necessary? I’ve already vowed—with my blood even—to accept and marry whoever wins! How could this possibly help me?”

“It’s not for you,” she said. “Yes, you’ll gain some insight into the males seeking your hand, but this is to help us avoid any of them complaining about favoritism.”

I started to scoff, but Isa halted any argument with a stern look. Shaking her head, she explained, “Matthias cannot be the only competitor you ever speak to, Calla.”

Chapter 39

Matthias

Ishould have left the bastard lying in the hallway, but if he woke up and told anyone what had happened to him, it could create problems for the queen and jeopardize this tournament and my chances of learning the truth about Brennan’s death. So, here I was, with Korben’s blade tucked safely back in its sheath and hidden in my boot, dragging the good-for-nothing male back to the healers while my weary body protested every movement.

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