Page 116 of Spirit Trials
She nods. “You should be. What’s happening is not right.” She’s quiet a moment, and I suck in a shaky breath. “The question is—what are you going to do about it?”
I laugh bitterly. “There’s nothing I can do.”
She’s quiet again. “Are you sure?”
“Mom, he’s the King. There’s no stopping him. He’s cruel and evil, but he’s the leader here. Besides, if we kill him, it kills Rysden’s mom. They’re bound together.”
“Is she a good person?” my mom asks.
I smile in spite of myself. “She is.”
“Sounds like it’s complicated then.”
I nod. “Yeah. It’s a mess.”
“How does Rysden’s mom feel about the king?”
“He’s awful to her. I think she’d kill him herself if she could.” I shake my head. “She told me to basically kill him, to aim true.”
“Hmmm.”
I turn to my mom. “What’s that mean?” She shrugs, but I’m not fooled. “What?”
“It sounds like she told you what to do, Lady Mercy.”
I scowl. “Nowyou’recalling me that? I hate that name.” When she doesn’t say anything, I turn to her. “How do you even know about all this?”
She smiles. “Lox likes to talk.”
“That’s the truth,” I mutter.
“Farrah, the people call you that. You didn’t name yourself that; the people in this kingdom did. You need to think about why.”
“What? So, I can kill their king?” I say with a laugh. “I don’t think that’s showing mercy.”
“Perhaps the greatest mercy you can show this kingdom is to kill their king and let his son, who isgood,rule in his stead.”
I blink in shock and glance around the room, even though I know it’s empty. “Mom, words like that could get you killed.”
She doesn’t bat an eye. “Sometimes the greatest acts take the greatest risks.”
I stare at her. “Are you serious right now?”
She doesn’t look away from me. “Farrah, you came into this kingdom without a single person knowing you outside of themen that brought you here. Now, every man, woman, and child in this kingdom know you as the Champion. They’ve given you a nickname. You’ve become something of a legend to them.” She stands to her feet slowly before looking back down at me. “Now live up to it.”
I’m not sure how long I stay on the floor and let my mother’s words run through my mind. Sometime later, the door opens quietly. I know without looking that it’s Rysden. He doesn’t say a word. He just helps me to my feet and places one of his shirts in my hand. He disappears into the bathing room, leaving me alone to be able to change. I'm in bed before he comes back out again. When he climbs into bed, he surprises me by taking me into his arms. “I’m sorry. That should have never happened, and you shouldn’t have had to witness it.”
“She pleaded with me to help bring her sister’s family back. Her nephew was in the trials and didn’t manifest a spirit animal.” I close my eyes. “The desperation in her eyes.” When I open my eyes, I meet his eyes. I can see the intensity there by the light of the fire. “All I could think about was what if it was my family?” I stare into his eyes. “What if it were our child that didn’t produce a spirit animal.”
His jaw tightens. “I would never let that happen.”
“I know. That’s why things have to change.” I lay my head on his chest, and he wraps those strong arms around me. I was afraid that I would never sleep after today, but safe in Rysden’s arms, I fall asleep faster than ever.
The next morning, we ride out to meet with Terron. Rysden received word early this morning that he would meet with us. Rysden’s been quiet all morning, but I’m not surprised, not after the day we had yesterday. We leave the city behind and head to the area where the trials started. “Why are we meeting all the way out here?” I ask when we get close.
“Terron doesn’t like being in any of the kingdoms.”
I turn my head to look at Rysden. “Why not?”
