Page 162 of Fated to be Enemies

“Princess Alina, you need to remember something.” His blue eyes blazed, reminding me of the pictures I’d seen of the northern lights. “The Winter fae are not your only enemies here. It’s also those who proclaim to be your people. Yes, Winter fae are ruthless and cold, but don’t doubt for a second that the Summer Fae are just as vicious.”

I tensed as his words sank in.

“Get your rest. I need you ready to fight in the morning.” He closed the door the rest of the way, and I locked it but remained standing there. I didn’t know what had happened between us tonight, but one thing was clear.

I had to stay the fuck away from the Winter King.

Something slipped into the lock of my door and clicked, and I shot upright in bed. My ears rang as I reached for the dagger under my pillow and jumped to my feet just as the door opened and Maeve strolled in.

“What the hell?” I gasped, lowering the dagger to my side. “You scared the shit out of me.”

Maeve’s nose wrinkled as she raised the armor in her hands and a flask. “That is not royal-like, and I’m surprised you heard me after your night of drinking. Besides, it’s not like I can warn you when I’m coming since it’s at Queen Orla’s discretion.”

My stomach roiled at the sight of the flask. “If you’re planning on making me drink again as punishment, it won’t work.”

She rolled her eyes, dropping the armor on the bed and tossing me the flask, which I caught with my free hand.

“It’s a hangover cure. The last thing I want is to get you drunk for your first trial.”

Out of everyone I’d met here, I trusted her the most, so I set down the dagger and downed the contents of the flask. I’d expected to have a headache and nausea, but I felt fine. Just thirsty. The faintly sweet taste of actual fae water slid down my throat. When I was done, I wiped my mouth with the back of my hand. “Thanks. I needed that.”

“We don’t have much time. We need to pull your hair back and get you into this.” She pointed at the armor that was more golden with greener vines than what I’d worn before, along with matching sheaths for my weapons. “I let you sleep in as late as possible after what I heard.”

I bathed quickly, and she helped me slide into the armor. She pulled my hair into a low ponytail and strapped on my dagger and bow, and then the two of us headed downstairs.

At the bottom, only King Kieran and Curry were there. The two of them were glaring at each other, except for the concerned glance King Kieran flicked to me.

“You got here just in time.” Curry scowled. “The others have already been announced. I go next.” He nodded toward the back of the entry hall, where Caden stood at a door that blended in with the wall.

“Curry, it’s your time,” Caden said as he opened the door.

The sound was deafening. People were screaming, and I caught a glimpse of what the trial was.

There was no way in hell I’d survive it.

Chapter Twelve

The area beyond the door looked like a cave straight out of hell.

If I hadn’t known the trial was taking place in an arena, I’d have had no clue, apart from the lustful screams for blood and death.

Sharp ice stalactites hung from above, and stone stalagmites jutted from below, but I couldn’t see the ground, just darkness. Each formation looked capable of dealing a fatal blow.

I’d be dead in minutes.

After Curry strutted through the door, it shut, filling the entry hall with silence.

Somehow, that was worse than the screams. Hell had been hidden, yet I knew it was there. The room spun, and this time, I knew it wasn’t from spirits.

Caden laughed and rubbed his hands together.

Fuck. I was so screwed.

“Ivy,” Maeve said urgently, clutching my shoulder and forcing me to turn my back to Caden and the door to face her and King Kieran.

My chest heaved. I probably had mere seconds left to live. All the things I’d never done flashed through my head; I’d never fallen in love, sunk my feet into the sand while the ocean rolled over them, or grown my own garden.

Like I’d done in my childhood, I withdrew into myself and ignored the world around me. One of the group counselors had called it a survival tactic, but that wasn’t the truth. It was a coward’s way out of a threatening situation.

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