Page 91 of Blooms of Darkness

Kade ran in Ian’s direction, and when he caught up to him, he clasped his shoulder. My useless ears could not hear the conversation that passed between the two of them.

Checking the timer, it neared the one-hour mark. Ian and Kade would have to hurry to finish the trial to keep from being eliminated.

“The time,” I screamed from the stands, reminding them not finishing would mean elimination since these fates-forsaken trials weren’t ending despite the horrors experienced here today.

They took off toward the end of the obstacle course, Kade’s shadows behind them, pushing them faster. They cleared the forest, climbed the wall, and bolted to the finish line with mere seconds to spare.

Both were covered in blood, furious, and panting, trying to catch their breath as soon as they crossed.

Lord West, Ryland, and Hale stood off to the side in their pristine clothes. Shame and guilt riddled Hale’s face as he took in the sight of Ian and Kade covered in blood.

My father stood before the remaining crowd, amplifying his voice once more. “The second trial has ended. Please, everything is all right. My people, there is no threat.”

Some of those retreating paused, wary of the words which didn’t match the atrocity that had played out before them. Others continued to flee.

“This happens sometimes, as evident in recorded history of the trials. Contenders use advantages to try to win, and Edmund fell prey to the thrall of the trials. No matter. Congratulations are in order for our top three contenders, Lord Casimir West,Ryland Lockbane, and Hale Bardot. The trials and contenders' date will continue over the next two days, as will the Festival of Blessings! May nature guide you and be safe on your travels home this evening.”

Shifting to face my father, once more, my disgust morphed to outrage, bubbling inside of me, ready to explode. “Whatwasthat?”

The king turned to me slowly and sighed deeply. “It appears Edmund had been cursed with the darkness. The very same darkness has been taking over some of our lands.”

“You lied to them,” I spat. “And what the hell was a razorven doing here?”

The king’s expression hardened. “The razorven I do not know about and will assume Edmund had something to do with letting a beast like that in, given his predicament. And of course I lied. What would have been better, Illiana? Allowing mass panic to take over? Having people believe it might be unsafe here in Ellevail? Inside the palace grounds of all places.”

Andras stepped forward and stood beside the king, like an equal, grinning. “Fear not, Princess, it appears the captain and Kade were able to take care of the erm,issue,for us today.”

The king’s eyes narrowed, and he called Ruppert to come forward. “Send for Ian, now. Both of you will accompany Princess Illiana back to her rooms.”

Ruppert started to protest, but my father silenced him. “I don't care if Ian is a contender or that he is currently covered in blood. He will accompany you both, ensuring Princess Illiana goesdirectlyback to her rooms. I want the palace secured, and I want to figure out how this came to be. You will provide updates on the hour.”

Ruppert bowed his head and waved me forward. The other royal guards had already begun to move my father and mother out of the pavilion and back inside the palace.

Ian was already waiting at the bottom of the pavilion stairs by the time Ruppert let me move.

Ian grasped my hand, and though I wanted to ensure he was truly safe, he kept me at arm’s length, whispering in my ear, “We’ll talk in your room. Not here, not now.”

I nodded, and the three of us moved quickly through the open grassy area, into the gardens, and then entered the palace through a staff door instead of the usual main entrance.

The different entry point didn’t help. The palace was in utter chaos. The staff were running about, whispering to each other as we tried to move through the halls, to my room. Nobody knew what to do, or where to be, between ensuring the stadium cleared, and securing the halls.

There had never been a time in recorded history where the palace had been attacked. We had not reviewed such protocols in so long. Well, if ever, but we especially hadn’t reviewed protocols for what to do when we had so many additional guests roaming the corridors.

We rounded the corner before the central staircase and Kade appeared, armed to the teeth with daggers and swords. Clearly, he had stopped by the armory after leaving the arena. How did he even know how to find it? Unless he had his own personal armory with him.

A question I would have to ask when our lives were not upended, and additional killer Fae weren’t potentially waltzing around the palace.

He tossed me a sword, and Ruppert’s jaw dropped as I caught it with ease. He didn’t let his surprise distract him for long and moved to contain Kade, but I grabbed his arm. “He’s okay. Let him be.”

“The king said Ian?—”

“I trust him,” I said, shocking myself with how adamantly I meant those words. “I said to let him be, Ruppert.” I didn’t give my guard a chance to utter any further protests.

We dodged Fae running wild throughout the passageways, guards joining in, trying to escort groups of them out through the corridors, sectioned off for the public. Most of the entrance and exit plans were going to shit.

At the next flight of stairs, Hale joined us, running forward with two swords in hand. “Thought you might like additional eyes on the princess,” he said.

I offered him a smile, grateful he thought of me, even if I could handle myself. Well, mostly. The thought of the magic the Fae used on Frederich and then Ian made me shudder, but we pressed on. Only two more flights to go before we reached the royal wing of the palace.

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