Page 53 of Blooms of Darkness

I gripped the arms of my velvet-tufted chair. There weren’t many times when I’d observed his face fall as it just had. In fact, I couldn’t remember the last time.

The king rose slowly, hoisting himself into a tall stance, his face grave as he spoke.

“Lord Levi Thatcher is dead.”

Chapter 16

Dead.

A contender. Dead, because of the trials.

I searched for Ian’s face, but he focused somberly on the king, like most everyone else.

“Lord Thatcher should have recovered easily from the poison, with help from the healers. It appears, for some reason, his magic failed to fight off the poison’s toxin.”

A death of a noble at the palace would cause an uproar from Lord Thatcher’s city. I wondered if anyone had thought the trials would turn deadly.

“While we are heartbroken to hear the news of such a fine Fae being taken too soon, I must use this time to reiterate these trials are meant to test you all. Death is an unfortunate possibility, so I urge you to tread wisely. These are not just silly games to be my daughter’s husband. These trials determine your ability to be a king. A king who will rule these lands alongside its Queen.”

I swallowed the lump forming in my throat. Did any of them know this when they entered? Did Ian know a result of entering the trials could be death?

“We will conclude dinner slightly early so we may get the princess to her drinks and off to bed,” he said. “With such harrowing news, we imagine some may want to rest this evening in private.”

Frederich released a seething breath through his nose. “And now our time is once more cut short. Tonight, at drinks, Princess, I’ll have your full attention.”

As I stood, I wanted to tell him I’d rather die, but held my tongue. Maneuvering from the long dining table, I made my way toward the double doors, leading to the royal terrace and gardens.

My father left the room with his advisers, shuffling out collectively and leaving my mother behind. She gracefully glided toward me, reaching out her hands.

“Is Father okay?” I asked.

“The death of a noble is a precarious situation. However, it’s a part of the terms of the trials. Each of the contenders were made aware of this danger beforehand,” she said, squeezing my hand gently. “It will be all right.”

The winds caressed my face, almost encouragingly, as we walked onto the terrace. A small table had a vase of flowers perched on its center, with a few drinks and small chocolate desserts.

A familiar friction rubbed at my calves, tickling my legs. “Lucien.” I laughed, bending and scratching the pugron’s ears.

“Illiana,” my mother said, a scolding on the tip of her tongue.

“I didn’t bring him with me,” I murmured. “Besides, your dislike of my stray ended when I caught you reading with him curled up on your lap.”

She tried and failed to hide her smile before looking at Lucien. “She’ll be back this evening, go on now.”

He obeyed instantly and disappeared into the gardens while his wagging tail ripped into the shrubbery as he passed.

“See anyone worthy of King yet?” I asked my mother as we waited for the three contenders to join us from the dining hall.

She raised her eyebrows. “Itisa bit soon to make a judgment. You never know how someone may surprise you.”

I tensed, attempting to not be too flippant in front of her. “You can’t convince Father to end this ridiculous trial?”

She faced me, lifting one of my hands to her mouth and pressing a kiss to my knuckles before enveloping them again. “Are you as presumptuous as his pompous advisers when it comes to knowing how this kingdom runs, my dear?” she asked, her eyes soft and curious.

I frowned, not understanding her meaning.

“Just because I stand quietly at his side, doesn’t mean every decision isn’t made equally,” she said.

“But you never offer your opinions.”

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