Page 15 of Bonded to the Fallen Shadow King

Aelir shrank at the sound of Ceana’s taunt, but I tried not to let it get to me. I’d already been through so much.

"Seems to be." Deallan laughed, harsh and mean.

My heartbeat quickened, my wolf sensing danger. This was a game to them. Freak out the scared ones and make them easier to slaughter.

I refused to play into it.

"Neither of those girls look like they’ll last long.” Ceana shrugged, her dark-blue hair cascading over her shoulders.

"Weaklings never do." Deallan's dark curls framed her sly smile. Her pale eyes dipped down, and she pretended to flick a speck of imaginary dust from the honey-amber strap of her dress. "How’s the big badwarriorholding up?"

Aelir squeezed my hand, but it was more out of fear than for support.

"Leave them alone.” Rhielle shook her head, her pink hair glimmering in the candlelight. "The trials will test them enough. Nothing says any of us have to die, but bloodthirsty assholes like you will make it worse for everyone else."

My chest expanded with hope.

"She doesn’t have to die." Ceana flipped her wrist. "But she will."

Anger flashed in Kaylen’s silver eyes as she leaned forward and placed her elbows on the table while staring Rhielle down. "No wings. Are you sure you belong here?"

The group snickered again, but now I’d become even more concerned. If this group wasn’t as confident as they wanted to seem, that would make them more desperate and unhinged. The more we allowed them to humiliate us, the more they’d continue to be bullies, because that way they appeared to be in control. Staying silent and hiding wouldn’t improve our chances at all.

At least I'd die with my head held high. "Shut up. Why don’t you wait until the contest begins and write down who you actually manage to kill? I suspect it’ll be a lower count than what you’re proclaiming now."

All heads snapped toward me.

"What?" Deallan stood, glaring at me. "I dare you to repeat what you just said."

And give them the satisfaction of me following their commands? Hell no. Instead, I went for a different tactic. "You need to sit down. You’re making your desperation even more obvious."

"You don’t know a fecking thing about us." Ceana’s tone held an ugly edge. "Go back to hiding with the rest of the pathetic, wingless thornbrushes."

I picked up my glass and took a sip, hiding my smile.

Footsteps pounded against the floor, and Elara stood in front of us. "You are gathered here for the prince. Not for a bloodbath." She rolled her shoulders back, looking fragile and elegant. "The prince said there is to be no more fighting before the trials begin."

"And who’s going to stop us?" Deallan arched an eyebrow.

"The prince expects his word to be obeyed. The rituals will be enough of a challenge. They start at noon tomorrow. Save your strength for then." Elara took the time to look at each one of us. "Enjoy the meal. You’ll need it."

“Says the princess who will never rule.” Kaylen rolled her eyes. “We needn’t listen to her.”

Elara frowned but pretended not to have heard what was said as she walked out the doors.

Not wanting the mean girls to know they bothered me, I took another bite of the pastry on my plate. It tasted better than it had a minute ago, but the dread in the room made it hard to swallow.

Once the door shut with abang,Kaylen’s eyes glinted with malice. "Elara thinks she’s better than she is, but she’s nothing but a fragile princess who has to do everything for herself because she’s too pathetic to ask for help, and even if she did ask, no one would grant it. Her father won’t be seen with her. Even her brother only tolerates her." She glanced at me and asked, "How long before you’re just as pitiful?"

"You’d better watch out." I leaned back, trying to look unbothered despite my stomach gurgling. “Who's to say you won’t be the one winding up in a worse spot than any of us?"

"Buffoon. You don’t know anything about our world, do you?" Kaylen grimaced. "It’s best if you try to appease us. You have no clue what the trials are even like, do you?"

She paused, letting her words sink in.

I hated that she had me there. I would probably die tomorrow, but I wouldn’t just lie down and let them take my life. That was clearly what they expected. "And how would I know that?"

"By begging." Kaylen’s eyes narrowed. "Or dying. We’re not picky."

---