Page 86 of Blooms of Darkness

“Nothing.” His face was expressionless.

I stiffened. “What do you mean nothing? There has to besomething.”

“I mean, there is no record of a Kade Blackthorn or ‘Storm’ anywhere in our lands,” Ian said. “Nobody knows who they are or where they came from. It’s like they appeared out of nowhere.”

I threw my hands up in the air. “So now what do we do? They know too much about us, about me. Do we just throw all of it away because our shoddy records aren’t up to date?”

“They have given us no real reason not to trust them. Storm especially feels genuine with his intentions, but I think we need to proceed with caution. You, especially.” He gave me his “judgmental Captain” look, pursed lips, with a cocked eyebrow, as if he dared me to argue. “I see how you and Kade look at each other.”

“Wha—”

Ian threw up his hand toward me. “Stop, don’t even try to deny it. Or deny it all you want, but I know what I’ve seen. We’ve been friends far too long and I know all of your tells.”

Kalliah chimed in from the back of the room, “It’s true, Lana. There is clearly something going on between the two of you, whether you want to believe it or not.”

I eased myself into the nearest armchair. “I don’t know what you are talking about.” I couldn’t prevent my foot from tapping nervously on the floor.

Ian and Kalliah exchanged an exasperated glance, and they shook their heads in defeat.

“I need to go get ready for the trials, Lan. Please be careful, and please don't push yourself. This is all for nothing if you aren't here with us, in one piece.” He walked over and pressed a kiss to my cheek before leaving my chambers for good.

An hour later, I finished dressing, ready for the second trial. My skin had been scrubbed raw, removing the distinct odor of bed rot I developed over the last few days fighting for my life. My hair had been brushed and curled into soft waves. A small, jewel-encrusted pin held back one side of it. It glittered in the sun, beaming through the pavilion of the arena.

I wore a satin, aquamarine A-line dress, equipped with hidden pockets and a slit up the leg. Just how I liked it. It made it easy to move at a moment's notice and concealed my dagger. Considering everything that happened recently, I refused to take any chances and be unarmed.

In the pavilion sat Andras, Vivienne, and Elisabeth, along with the other royal advisers, and Ruppert. After speaking with my father briefly, Elisabeth approached and gave me a quick hug and a once-over before exiting out the back to prepare her workstation should anything happen to one of the contenders. The small satchel around her hips made a clinking noise, and I smiled at the idea of the mini arsenal of magical medicine she carried with her. She saved me more times than I could count,and after this had passed, and my father recovered, I would find a way to repay her for her years of generosity and friendship.

I wrung my hands together as I sat in my seat, the last to arrive. My nerves were shot to hell between what happened on the road and worrying about what to expect in the second trial. We’d already lost one contender, what could possibly be in store today?

As if sensing my anxiety, Lucien jumped onto my lap. Although it made me smile, I knew he couldn’t stay. “Don’t you get too comfortable. You’ll singe my dress, or worse, rip it to shreds if you get excited.”

He opened his mouth, tongue hanging out, panting in the summer heat.

Andras said something to one of the advisers, and Lucien’s head whipped around. Growling, he jumped from my lap and disappeared behind me. He hated that man as much as I did.

My gaze swept across the field. Shock didn’t begin to cover the sight before me. What had been a basic setup of tables and archways in the first trials, now seemed to be an entirely different stadium.

The arena had been transformed into an obstacle course, which included a forest, ponds, and brush. The entrance tunnel opened to a sandpit, with a variety of sharp- and dangerous-looking items spread throughout. They were scattered both on top of the sand, making it appear impossible to cross in some places, and above the sand, making it worse to stand all the way up. Past the sand traps sat a tiered smattering of wood, which rose higher until leading to the platform of a long bridge. The bridge consisted of two narrow walkways, only big enough for one contender at a time, leading to a forest area with plenty of open space for quick, short fights. Beyond the forest were a few ropes suspended in the air with magic, leading the contenders to a small, revolving platform, until finally another smaller bridgeled over a small reservoir of water to a grassy area with a wall to climb right before the finish line.

Somehow the Earth Fae had outdone themselves even more and managed to lower the arena into the ground, so the audience had a relatively unobstructed view into the entire trial field below.

I’d never seen anything like it before. What they had been able to accomplish in the last two weeks between trials was nothing short of amazing.

It may be a death trap of an obstacle course, but one of remarkable ingenuity when thinking about the magic it took to create.

The king raised his hand, signaling two guards inside the arena. They parted to either side of the entryway tunnel into the stadium, and the contenders filed into the arena, all donning battle armor. Sweat beaded on my neck as the sun shone directly onto my back. The breeze my father would have normally conjured was noticeably absent. Before I had time to worry about why he wasn’t using magic, which should have come as second nature to him, he spoke.

“Welcome, friends, to the second marriage trial.” His voice, while amplified, didn't seem nearly as loud as before.

The crowd in the arena burst into applause and whooped out a loud chorus of welcoming roars.

My father put up his hands and the crowd quieted once more. “I am pleased to see so many loyal subjects here to witness today’s events. Today our contenders will demonstrate their physical agility and bravery, along with their magical abilities, as they make their way through the obstacle course set up before you in the arena.

“Contenders! Be prepared, for only the most agile of you and skilled with your magical abilities, will be able to complete thecourse behind you. The top three contenders will take Princess Illiana on a one-hour date at a place of your choosing.”

The crowd erupted into more cheers, excited at the notion of the contenders courting me.

My father had to stop and regain his balance. His subtle grip on the arm of his throne would only be noticed by those of us here in the pavilion. My heart broke. Had he become so weak, even speaking for this short amount of time caused him to stumble?

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