Page 51 of Bonded to the Fallen Shadow King

She narrowed her eyes and smiled but didn’t follow suit.

Interesting. I paused, tilting my head while studying her. She appeared a lot healthier than she had last night. A lot healthier than the rest of the fae. I had my wolf to explain my fast healing, but she didn’t.

Something seemed off.

Her color had returned, and while her gown had long sleeves, they were sheer, and I couldn’t see my bite mark, or any of the marks from the creepy crawlies. Could fae heal that fast?

Kaylen looked at Velessa and clicked her tongue. “Oh, fellow Sylvan sister, I feel so terrible for you. How are you going to manage your second disc with your arm in such bad shape?”

Lifting her chin, Velessa hugged the discs to her chest, keep the one from putting weight on her injured arm.

My heart twinged. There was no doubt she’d struggle in this round.

“How is everyone feeling?” I turned my attention to our group. Maybe others had improved as quickly as Kaylen.

Yuki and Quen softly admitted they were feeling stiff and sore from the previous day’s stings. It was worse this morning, though the physician said most of the pain should pass by evening. Myantha was likewise riddled with bites and stings, and she scratched at her arms.

Struggling to put weight on her left leg, Thalira winced as they fastened the discs to her arms, her dark brow furrowing. “We have to keep these on the whole time?”

The servants nodded.

This was ridiculous. I stepped forward, the discs swinging at my sides. “What about those of us who are injured?”

“They must be clever to survive. The faster you move, the less likely you are to be attacked by the moving platforms and creatures.”

Of course there would be more fucking creatures. And knowing my luck, it’d be the wolf-sized creepy crawlers again. I shuddered, remembering the cold venom. I locked my attention on the hooded reapers. “Some of us can barely walk, let alone fight, run, and navigate an ever-shifting labyrinth of moving platforms, and now you’re addedcreatures?”

Vad’s shoulders tensed. He studied me, and I thought I saw a flicker of concern cross his face.

My heart tugged, wanting to let him know I was talking about the others and not myself. I wanted to wipe away that concern.

But then Silus whispered something to him, and his mouth tightened. He turned his gaze away.

Vyraetos remained as calm as before. "If you wish, you can remain on the solid black starting platform at the beginning of the labyrinth. The solid black platforms throughout will not transform, and, while creatures may still attack, they will not attack as much on the outer sections of the labyrinth as they will inside.

“But, if no one has reached the end within an hour, then the starting platform will begin to shrink until those contestants have no choice but to compete. This is a trial in which it is possible for everyone to die. But only three must reach the end for the trial to conclude.

“In fact, there is an extra incentive to be amongst the first three. At the celebration ball, each will receive a dance with the prince, in the order of the prince’s choosing. And one may be chosen to lead the opening dance with the king.”

“Praise Fate.” Kaylen smiled and batted her eyes.

Please Fate, no. Don’t let the woman heentertainedlast night be that bitch.

The two women who’d been standing on the sidelines and the mean girl posse began having hurried and hushed conversations. The tension in the room intensified. A deep scowl broke across Kaylen’s face. Whatever the girls around her were saying, she didn’t seem pleased.

I gripped my discs and drew a deep breath. I couldn’t let the tightness in my chest slow me down. I had to get through this. Not so I could dance with Vad—I didn’t give a damn about that.

My wolf snarled, calling me out on my lie. That was something we’d have to address later.

“I can’t believe they’re doing this.” Thalira limped a few steps closer to the center of our group. “Forcing us to compete when we’re barely able to stand, and not even allowing us to use our magic?”

“Believe it.” Quen wrinkled her nose. “They’re ruthless. We know that much.” Her shoulders sagged as she examined her hands. “I don’t know how I’ll fight without magic. Feck this. I don’t want to dance with the prince. I just don’t want to die.”

Myantha nodded, hugging herself and drawing closer to Velessa. The purple-haired fae hugged the younger woman with her good arm and whispered something to her.

“Only three of us have to make it through to end the challenge for everyone.” Rhielle’s eyes burned. “I’ll get to the end and laugh in that smug bitch’s face.”

“Sounds good.” Better her than me. I tightened the straps around my wrists and glanced at Vad.

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