Chapter Thirty-One

CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE

GREAT PRESENTATION

T he night before the Sk?l, the competitors stood at the front of the banquet in presentation to the court. They’d all trained in private, so I didn’t gain any advantage by watching them or learning their strategies. This night’s banquet took place on the large patio platform by the sea. The air had grown warmer, and the area allowed for commoners to spectate. The onlookers gathered outside the patio, opposite the ocean, surveying the competitors they would follow so closely over the next three days.

The sun still shone when the banquet began. I arrived first, as per the custom. The cheering from the crowd that followed my name being announced made me jump. I hadn’t realized I’d garnered that type of support—or any type of support, for that matter.

I’d insisted on wearing battle dress, rather than a flimsy gown, which I was thankful for in the end, as two of the other competitors had chosen similarly. Like House Daini, I wore a leather ensemble. House Odacer flaunted full chain-mail.

The most formidable was House Saxoni—the House of the Defender. She wore a gown, yes, but it was crafted from what looked like one thousand blades, the hilts of the daggers removed, the points jutting out from where they were fastened in place. The seamstress arranged them so that she could use her arms without being pierced. And she glittered, too, a moving mirror. I stared at her, her black hair piled atop her head, pinned with more blades. Her eyes sparkled in a cat-like yellow, daggers in their own right. She was called Tey.

Brita of House Daini, also known as the House of Glory, was plain featured but looked fearless and battle-tested in her worn-in leathers.

The Odacer was called Livia. Her full chain-mail dress blocked most of her body, but her hair was a muted blonde and cropped at chin length.

Cleo of House Nepos came clad in a tight sheer gown, a tribute to her clan’s alignment to truth and her tall, curved figure. The gown hugged her body and trailed on the floor behind her. Her full breasts sat upright, pointed from the sweet sea breeze that no doubt crossed them. Her bare legs were long and striking. Not even her womanhood was covered by anything more than her own growth, which made me blush, but made many in the room stare in her direction. She had shining brown hair that fell in textured curls all around her. Her cheekbones were sharp and her eyes even sharper, a deep serene blue. It reminded me of the old tales of a Siren on a sea.

The last to be announced was House Brisk, the House of Judgement. The announcer boomed, “Xinlan, of House Brisk,” and I stilled at the familiarity of the name. Surely enough, a pale, lean female with white-blonde hair and dark eyes appeared, more clothed than she had been when I saw her lying naked on Cas’s chaise lounge. My stomach knotted, for I imagined she had not forgotten when I shot an arrow into the flour sack right above her head on the training field. Her simple black gown was more of a satin sheet of fabric, pinned on both her shoulders, draped so that it revealed most of her back. She embodied black and white, pure judgment, as her house demanded. Her clan cheered when she entered, as all the others had upon their announcements. And then, the king summoned the six of us, to profess our intentions for all of Valfalla to witness.

Luckily, in this activity I went last.

Livia of House Odacer—the conquering house—went first. She promised that as queen she would help Cas lead Viribrum into its Golden Age, driven by grand conquests that would bring prosperity to all.

Next, Xinlan of House Brisk. Her voice projected over the waves with more strength than I would have guessed from her. She said that she would serve the future king more faithfully than any other, that she would be the balance needed to maintain peace for the kingdom. Fitting, for the House of Judgement.

Then came Cleo of the House Nepos, who claimed she would be a voice for the small, the weak. For the disenfranchised, for those who could not speak their truths. She seemed to inspire love of all kinds, and I wondered if it was genuine.

Brita of House Daini knelt before them, bearing her blade, and said that she would be a warrior for the people and for her king, bringing honor or protection, whatever was in the best interest of the Viri people.

Tey of House Saxoni stepped forward next, and she put on a display that left the other competitors seething. She flung her arms to the sides and dozens of blades left her dress, piercing the sky and then diving into the sea. The crowd erupted, and she shouted she would die before letting a drop of Viri blood shed; that she would protect her people, her king, with her own heart. The other competitors huffed at her display, but I did not, for it gave me two things: knowledge of her magic, which seemed to be control of the forces of gravity, and an idea.

A hush fell over the crowd as they waited to see what the favorite would say, what she would do. Even the ocean seemed to grow quiet in anticipation.

“Many of you do not know me.” I spoke firmly, yet I sounded unsure to my own ears. “Many believe me an outsider, with Witch blood and human rearing.” Some murmured in agreement, and I almost faltered. “But I am no stranger to you,” I shouted. “I am the daughter of Viturius of Viribrum, the great warrior of the North, of no house, of no clan. He was of no alliance to anyone but his people. He fought alongside many of you in battle. He showed you strength, cunning, and, most importantly, loyalty. Loyalty to you and to no one else. Not to a house, not to a select few, nor to himself. I cannot say that I deserve to be your queen more than the others that stand before you, willing to die for the position. Only the Sk?l will decide. But I can tell you that if I am crowned, I will be loyal to the Viri people and will spend each day serving them in the best way I can, as my father did.”

And with that, I knelt on the stone, sending my power down through the thick rockery beneath us. I let a rumble loose, just enough to shake the platform gently at first, and then a bit firmer, letting it build. I bid the Earth beneath the stone to shift, ever so slightly. And it obeyed. A small crack formed in the middle of the stone patio, releasing pressured water that had roiled beneath, built by swelling waves. And water exploded , shooting up into the air. Before it came down, soaking the crowd, I spoke a simple cantrip Fayzien had used against me once to knock me off guard. “Vapor-ropav,” I murmured, and the water turned to snow midair.

Flakes of glittery, salt-filled crystal floated down around us. And when they landed on the stone floor, little flowers bloomed in their place. Salt, water, and small specs of dirt were the basis of my concoction—just needing some silent urging from me to take shape. I hoped it’d show the Viri that even when there seemed to be nothing, I could bring life.

The crowd stilled in shock for one long, painstaking moment. Relief washed over me as cheering and shouting replaced the silence. I had debated if I should show them my element, for it was a branding of my Witch heritage and difference. But in the end, I decided to listen to Ezren and Jana’s words that had begun to beat within my heart. There was no point in denying who I was.

The snow dissipated, assisted by the gentle summer wind and sea that breathed in the air. The ceremony commenced with celebrating, which was, of course, augmented with drink, food, and dancing.

Cas approached me once the gathering was underway, standing by my side, turning to admire the revelry.

“Quite the display, mi karus . Fairly, ehm, dauntless of you, shall I say,” he winked at me.

I didn’t turn to face him. “Well, I couldn’t have them thinking I was boring, could I?”

Cas chuckled. “I dare say, Terra, you’ll never be in danger of that.” And then he took my hand, discreetly, giving it a slight squeeze. “Please be careful tomorrow,” he whispered.

I exhaled, steadying my nerves. “Is everything in place for Gia and Jana?” I said back, my voice low.

“Yes. They will be taken care of.”

I nodded, doing my best to act unafraid of what lay ahead. Then I looked up at him. “Cas, if… if everything goes well, if I win, what happens next? What does that future look like? For me, for us?” I asked, unsure if I wanted to know his answer.

He fixed his gaze to the roiling sea in the distance. “We will be wed fairly quickly. You will have to go back to Nebbiolo, for a time, to appease the Rexi. And I won’t allow that before we are husband and wife. Our union would afford me much greater reign to ensure your protection. I don’t know if I’ll be able to come with you—Darlan may not allow it—but I will send warriors sworn to you. Then you will return to me, and you will prepare for queendom. And one day, we will rule all of Viribrum and Nebbiolo. And possibly more.”

My stomach tightened at the ‘fairly quickly’ bit, which contrasted with the victory period Jana had foretold. I wondered if his plan factored in the minor detail that my life—my body—was still bound to another. But not wanting to speak of Ezren, I whispered, “Cas, I don’t know if I want to rule. I don’t know if I should.”

“Terra, we’ve talked about this. It’s your destiny, whether you like it or not.”

I nodded, unable to say more. But a thought pricked my mind. I wondered if Ezren’s comments about not denying oneself extended to the queendom. Did I hesitate to accept becoming queen because I didn’t want that life for myself, or because I felt unworthy?

Or did I know somehow, deep down, that destiny had something else in store for me?

Gia ended up by my side for the rest of the night. Cas, by honor, was bound to spend time with each competitor. My eyes became sharper when he lingered next to Xinlan. I couldn’t help but observe the way she grazed her fingertips on his forearm, or how she leaned too close to him when she spoke. He had not made promises to me. In fact, he had been honest from the start about his intentions. And I desired another. But watching their interaction seemed to burn a hole in the lining of my stomach. I couldn’t distinguish the jealousy of wanting him from wanting something he had, whether that was power, or freedom, or the love of another.

We walked back to my room when it was acceptable to leave, though the banquet was not quite winding down.

“Neferti was not present tonight,” Gia noted.

I huffed out a breath. “She doesn’t approve of the Sk?l.”

“Have you tried to spend much time with her?” Gia asked. “She is your mother, after all.”

I shook my head, trying to block out the memory of her chrome nails pressed into my throat. “She is not my mother.”

“What do you know of her?” she pressed. “Have you interacted with her alone, even once?”

“Gia, she’s not like that, and you know it. I don’t want to talk more about this,” I said, my tiredness and stress letting my tongue cut sharper than I’d wanted.

She grew silent as we approached my chamber, and I turned to her, pausing before we were within earshot of the guards posted at my door. “Tomorrow, Cas will arrange for you to go somewhere safe. Maybe it seems a silly precaution, but I don’t know what will happen to me in the Sk?l, and I won’t be able to check in on you. I will be much better focused if I don’t have to worry about your safety,” I said, a lie disguised with truth.

She narrowed her eyes ever so slightly but nodded.

I returned her nod with a tight squeeze, feeling the swelling bump in her belly that now separated us. She cupped my cheek and stared at me. “Do not forget who you are, Terra. And do not for a second hold back. Especially if your life is on the line—you give them everything you have.”

I winked, fighting moisture from surfacing in my eyes, the corner of my mouth quirking up. “You got it, Giannina.” And then she kissed me on each cheek, and we parted ways. As she disappeared around the corner, I prayed that hadn’t been the last time we saw each other.

A tap on my door woke me at dawn. Guards delivered what looked like a standard uniform, and Olea dressed me. Canvas trousers, fastened high at the waist, decorated with purpose-built pockets. I tucked my long-chained ring necklace into the leather corset, which sat over a loose blouse. Lastly, Olea slipped my arms through a worn leather jacket. She secured my Sk?l approved blades, including a backsword, a thigh-strapped knife, and a boot shiv. Olea braided my hair in long sweeping plaits and painted kohl on my lids for “intimidation,” she said.

I cleared my throat. “Olea, I want you to watch over this for me.” I took out the clear engagement ring I’d kept in my pocket since the day Cas had given it to me. I hadn’t worn it once after my abduction, not wanting to draw more of the king’s attention by showing off his late wife’s ring. I had only kept it in my pocket, hidden, just as Ezren’s ring hung hidden around my neck.

The serving maid gasped, her eyes wide at the gem. “M’lady, where ded ye get such a stone?”

“It belonged to the late Viri Queen. Hide it in my floorboards and watch over it. And if… if I don’t make it back, sell it as covertly as you can. Make a life for yourself.”

“Why me, m’lady?” she asked, still blinking at the ring.

“Even though I know you’ve likely been directed to report on my movements, to at least the king, you’ve stood by me. You always ensure I’m prepared for whatever battle I’m walking into. I’m grateful for your kindness.”

We beamed at each other, understanding passing between us. I’d considered giving the ring to Gia, but she’d have no idea how to sell it in the Fae lands, not in secret anyway, and I trusted Cas to take care of her.

Olea? She would be forgotten.

I slipped the jewel inside her pocket. “You can hide this later. For now, may I have a moment alone? Just to clear my head.”

Olea squeezed me, murmuring her thanks, and joined the guards outside my door waiting to escort me to the Sk?l. I released the loose floorboard from under my bed, drawing out the emerald hilted dagger. I wasn’t sure if they would scold me for bringing my own weapons, but it was worth a try. So I unbuttoned my outer layer and strung the blade up on my chest, fastening it in place with the laces of my corset. I closed my jacket and gave my appearance a glance in the mirror. I looked neither Fae, nor human, nor Witch.

A tap on my door disturbed my silent consideration.

Time to go.

We were to make our way on horseback to the competition location, a large arena close to the city called the Convallis. All the contestants came together in a long procession through Valfalla with the king and the prince at the front. The contestants were scattered throughout the line, and I brought up the rear. To my relief, I saw no sign of Gia waving me off. Cas gave me a slight nod, which I took to mean both good luck, and a sign of success in removing Gia and Jana from the palace. I didn’t see Fayzien, but to my surprise, the Rexi was there, mounting her own steed and joining the procession. She pulled her horse next to mine, and we followed the group in silence.

I rode Romeo, the beautiful gelding gifted by Cas. He was strong and proud, which gave me much needed solace and strength as we paraded through the city. Fae onlookers and Viri subjects cheered and jeered, and all in between. I was the favorite of the king—and perhaps even of some at court—but certainly not of the people. My tricks and displays may have won me favor and the nickname ‘Creatrixi’ amongst the courtiers, which, according to Olea, was an ode to my Earth magic, but on the streets, I was a nobody who belonged to no house, and no people.

“Why did you join me?” I asked the Rexi, my voice low but audible.

She didn’t bother looking at me. “Every competitor is accompanied by a large group of their kin, representatives from their Viri House. I am your only kin here.”

Not my only kin. I pictured Jana in her cell and the faceless relations of Viturius I had yet to meet. But despite myself, my heart squeezed—it was the closest thing to maternal sentiment she’d offered since our reunion. Once more, we resumed our comfortable silence, accustomed to the weight of what hung between us.

We reached Valfalla’s gates by late morning, and while the open space and unsaturated air should have provided me comfort, my stomach only clenched tighter. I clucked Romeo into a soft canter, in unison with the rest of the procession. We rode west alongside the forest, away from the coast to our right. Within an hour, we slowed to a walk. The caravan veered left, curving around something I could not see. The queen and I arrived last, just before the guards and warriors posted at our back. I sank my heels low in the stirrups, pushing myself to stand, peering over what had become an edge. It was an enormous pit, a crater of unimaginable size—I’d never seen anything quite like it. Even Neferti exhaled beside me. The entire procession of over a hundred lined only a tiny portion of it, shoulder to shoulder, facing its center.

We all stood, waiting.

I turned to the Rexi, attempting to distract myself. “Has there ever been a male Sk?l?” I asked. “In the case there is only a female heir to be wed?”

The Rexi snorted, an undignified act on her always dignified facade. “Yes, once. They all killed each other.” She snickered to herself. My face contorted at the disturbing thought, and the even more disturbing reaction from the Rexi. She shot me a look of disdain. “Oh, don’t look at me like that. I only chuckle because it is so predictable. I promise, you will come to know what I mean in time, especially once you see the civility of a queendom.”

I nearly laughed myself off my horse. Whether from the chatter of my nerves or the lack of emotional control, my mouth moved against my better judgment. “Oh, is that so? Is murdering husbands the civility you speak of? Or, perhaps you refer to the kidnapping of young girls, erasing their memories, hiding them away with strangers, allowing them to love those strangers as kin, and then killing them? Hmm ?”

The Rexi’s face twisted into pure disdain. “Terragnata, as a Princess of Nebbiolo you may never address me that way,” she whispered, venom dripping from her words. “And beyond that, you have no gods damned idea what you speak of.”

“Oh, don’t I?” I hissed back. “Why don’t you educate me then?”

But before she could respond, a loud horn sounded.

The Sk?l began.