Chapter 19

19

Isat across the library table from Mike and my entire body ached. Deep down. All the way through my cells to my bones. It meant I was still alive, which I might not be able to say in three days. Because why? We’d been given our task for the first Trial, and three days in which to research, practice, and prepare before it would take place on Friday.

All other classes were suspended for the time being. Thank goodness, although I knew a few of the professors were not happy about the pause, my charms teacher in particular. She’d glared around at the class and promised homework the moment we returned.

Mike leaned across the table, silhouetted against the window where the midday sun spilled golden rays over everything. “What do you think?” he asked.

A muscle tensed in his jaw and I knew he was just as nervous as I was. At least I knew that no matter what trouble we got into with this latest test, he would come through with me. He wouldn’t let me go alone.

Unlike normal days, the library was packed with students doing their own research. Our first test?

Justice.

For the first trial, every student had to find a way to access the arcane power of the earth and grow a plant. Not just any plant, but a certain species of tree all but wiped out in Faerie thanks to over-harvesting. And we had to find a way to keep the tree alive without being attached to our own life force. Heaven forbid you ask why no one else was accomplishing the task. The school council hadn’t had anything to say on the matter during our orientation this morning.

In fact, Headmaster Cyrus remained closed-mouthed on anything besides the barest minimum of information. Find the seed, grow the plant, don’t let it die. And don’t let it kill you.

Not an easy task by any means. If we managed to grow the tree without first detaching from it, we could expend our own life energy and waste away to nothing.

What a great first start.

I tapped my fingers against the stack of books in front of me. “I think we’d better get to work or else we are going to be sunk before we even begin.” I pushed aside the massive brain fog making it impossible to focus.

“We’re going to figure out a way to beat this,” Mike said firmly.

“They don’t want us to find a way.” My stomach dropped as I gave voice to my doubt. As though suddenly the whole point of these Trials made sense to me. They made it hard not because they wanted the best of the best to emerge, but because they delighted in our failure. At least I wasn’t alone in it this time.

Mike groaned, but I couldn’t tell if he agreed or not. “Well, at least they’ve given us a little bit of time to figure it out. Although this library might not be our best bet.”

I shrugged. “Do you have a better idea?”

“I have several ideas, one of which has to do with using the royal library to find a way to beat the Trial.”

“Have you ever been involved in the Trials before?” I asked him.

“I’ve seen a few, yeah. I mean, my father officiates the opening ceremony, so I’ve had no choice but to be up there with him. They’re brutal and bloodthirsty and the people demand more every time. This is my first year actually participating, though.”

“You had a hard enough time making it through the cullings,” I teased. “How are you going to do now?”

“Well…” Mike winked. “I have a secret weapon.”

“Another artifact to boost your power?”

“No, you.”

I glanced up at the warmth in his voice and watched Mike come around the side of the table toward me. At once, every inch of me lit at his nearness. I remembered the kisses, the hardness of his body against mine. “You had me then, too. Tutoring you. It didn’t help much in the long run.”

“Ah, true.” He scratched his chin, looking thoughtful.

“And I definitely think you’re right. If there are going to be books on arcane magic, spells they don’t teach us in class, then we aren’t going to find them here, especially not with everyone else looking,” I murmured.

“At least with two sets of eyes looking it should make the research go faster.”

Glancing up at him, I saw him watching me. I wanted to kiss him. Right there in front of everyone I wanted to slide my arms around his neck and never let him go.

God, he was a distraction. I knew that if we kissed, he’d taste familiar. Welcome.

“We’ll have to do it off the clock.” A small fire kindled in my stomach when he reached out a hand and stroked his thumb over my cheek. “I mean, they aren’t going to let us leave school to do outside research.”

“I can pull the prince card if you really want me to.”

I giggled. “Maybe we should keep the prince card in our back pocket in case we really need it,” I whispered. “I’ll have time tonight after I get off kitchen duty.”

Mike moaned softly as he shook his head. “You really don’t belong in the kitchen. I’m so sorry about that, Tavi.”

“I’ve almost gotten used to it,” I said lightly. Trying not to let him know how very much I agreed. I hated working in the kitchen.

“You shouldn’t have to get used to it. It’s taking your focus away from the really important things.”

I grinned. “Like classes?”

“Like…a certain someone who wants to spend time with you,” Mike corrected.

Yup, full on blush. I felt the heat creeping up my neck and toward my hairline. I had to get out of there before I did something I’d regret. Something like launch myself at the crown prince and embarrass the both of us in front of our classmates. I was about ten seconds away from doing it anyway.

“I’m going to the restroom. I’ll be right back.” I broke contact and sent Mike a warm smile.

“Hurry!” he called after me. I heard the librarian shush him.

I bit my lower lip on my way out the door to keep from giggling. Okay, the Trials weren’t a joke. They were nothing to laugh at. But the way Mike and I were getting closer…I couldn’t believe it. It was a silver lining in the face of chaos.

“Tavi Alderidge?”

I stopped and glanced up at the sound of my name. Two castle guards approached with their weapons at their sides and their faces half shrouded by visors. Immediately my walls went up. I stared at them warily through narrowed eyes. “Yes?”

The library doors had closed behind me. The stomping of boots echoed throughout the hall and the guards halted in front of me. “Miss Alderidge, you need to come with us.”

My good mood dropped in an instant. “No, I’m sorry. No time.” I pointed over my shoulder. “I have the Trials to research. What’s this about?”

They didn’t look at each other. They barely looked at me, their eyes hidden. “You’re to come with us now,” the one on the left insisted.

I dug my heels in. Figuratively, of course. No way was I leaving the school now.

And why was there no one around to see this? “I’m not sure what’s going on but I don’t have to go with you,” I said.

“King’s orders.” This from the guard on the right.

They strode forward and grabbed my arms, one on either side. “What are you doing?” I managed to get out, locking my knees. But between the two of them, I didn’t have the strength to fight, to keep them from taking me.

And if this was on the king’s orders, then I knew better than to fight. I stopped myself from putting my foot in my mouth and finally stepped along with the two guards. How glad I felt that Mike wasn’t around to see this. He’d been there too many times when his father’s bullies came to take me away for questioning. Maybe Mike would be proud of me for showing some restraint.

The guards didn’t take me to the throne room, as I expected. They called up a portal but instead of turning left, they went right. Away from the last place I’d gone when the king called for me.

“This is great, guys. Perfect,” I finally told them. “Another missed day of school. It’s really helping me keep up with the rest of my classmates. The king will be so pleased.”

We moved around a corner and they knocked against the nearest door. “Your Majesty?” Leftie called out.

The king’s voice sounded from inside telling us to enter. The door swung open on its own. The guards stood to the side and released their hold on me only after they were sure I wouldn’t make a run for it.

Tywin’s lackies waited while I made my way into the room. An office, I saw from a few furtive glances I dared to take. The walls were done in panels of red silk, with old wooden floors, and in the center a massive desk eight feet long at least.

The inner sanctum of the mad king, I thought. Except the thought didn’t make me laugh.

“Miss Alderidge, there you are,” Tywin said smoothly. “Please do come in and take a seat. I’d like to have a word with you.”

My face void of expression, I shuffled forward on numb feet and sat on one of the ladderback chairs in front of the long, low desk. The king sat behind it, with his fingers steepled in front of him. I zipped my lips. Waiting. Waiting to see what he would say.

This was way, way worse than facing Claribel and Rooker.

“As you can see, I did not ask the rest of the Elder Council to be here for this meeting. I thought it was something you and I needed to discuss privately.”

I wasn’t sure what chilled me more—the look he speared me with or the fact that he’d wanted the two of us alone.

I inclined my head. “As you wish, Your Majesty.” Keep it respectful, keep it short. Keep it together.

“As I’m sure you’re aware at this point, I have been in touch with the bureau. I know you were involved in a shifter attack last week.”

Tywin looked ready to kill someone. I wanted to die on the spot. “Yes, sir.”

Definitely no point in denying it. He already knew.

“I’m not going to ask you what happened. The bureau has already given me the details.” Tywin leaned forward, his expression grim. “I wanted to personally tell you that we are reopening our investigation. You are officially our number one suspect in Madam Muerte’s death.”

“What? Why?” I blurted out. Straining to hold myself in check.

“You were told to keep out of trouble. I’m sure you’re aware we do not tolerate shifters in these lands. Abominable creatures on their best day. Bloodthirsty savages on their worst,” he said. “I strongly recommend you not leave town, Miss Alderidge. Too many things have happened and too little is adding up to my liking. You must understand this is a concern to me.”

Every part of me trembled.

“The way I see it—” His clipped voice snapped against me like a whip. “You have two choices in this situation: Either you maintain your innocence and remain in town as we conduct our investigation, or…” Tywin paused. “You admit your culpability.”

“I’m not guilty,” I insisted without hesitation.

Tywin continued to stare at me. I focused on the bristles of his closely trimmed goatee. It was better than being frozen by his eyes. “There are fanatics in my land. Fanatics whose only purpose is to sow chaos. And yet even with these issues needing attention, you have been a niggling thorn in my side. Especially considering your odd friendship with my son.”

I jerked.

“If we find out you are the culprit,” Tywin said, “not only in the unfortunate death of Madam Muerte but behind the recent attacks, you will lose your citizenship in Faerie and find yourself back in the human realm. Forever. Do I make myself clear?”

What could I say? He did not accept my word no matter how many times I’d given it. Despite what the king said about expecting greatness from me, I believed the opposite. He suspected, and with his suspicion, he blamed, despite the truth.

He wanted to find someone guilty. Unfortunately, I’d been in the thick of things too many times.

I nodded slowly. “Yes, sir. Crystal clear.”