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I shook my head, nuzzling into him. “If anything happens to me, you live. You live for both of us.”

“Elara -“

“Promise me!”

He flinched, looking down at me.

“You told me I was stupid for wanting to die with Keir,” I said, cupping his cheek in my hand. “You told me he should have wanted me safe. And you were right. And I want you to promise me you will live, no matter what happens to me. You will LIVE. For me, for both of us.”

He kissed me deeply then, holding me in his arms, cradling me against him, not caring if Drusilla or the guards happened upon us. It felt too much like a farewell kiss, and I pushed away the flicker of fear I felt.

Theron was not going to make this trial easy.

I had the overwhelming feeling that I was about to die.

Chapter32

Elara

Theron gave away nothing about the trial. Once Rook left my chamber, I did not see him again, and he did not appear as I was escorted to the Pit. I could sense his fear and his anxiety, and also the handle he was trying to keep on it. To stop me from being afraid, no doubt.

The sky was dark gray, and lightning flashed in the distance over the towering mountain range. I heard thunder rumbling as we approached the armory. I rolled my shoulders, straightening my back, holding my head high. I wasn’t going to give one single Velesian the pleasure of seeing just how terrified I was.

Regan’s face didn’t help. His brows were pulled so far down that I could barely see his eyes. He opened his mouth to speak as he escorted me to the entrance of the tunnel, but instead just shook his head and put a hand on my shoulder.

It was bad. It was really, really bad.

I clutched the hilt of Arankos in my hand, taking a deep breath. The ground quaked heavily beneath my feet. I clenched my eyes shut, trying to keep my breathing steady. This was like any other battle, just like Rook said. I didn’t have to think about it. I simply had to defeat whatever was in there, and it would be over.

I advanced down the tunnel towards the entrance of the Pit, and the ground shook again. Arankos slipped in my grip, my palms beginning to sweat.

I’m here. It was Rook’s voice, floating through my mind.I’m here. You can do this.I know you’re afraid. But you can do this.

I puffed out a breath.Will you kiss me if I win?

For all eternity. Now show Theron what you’re made of.

I clung on to his words, hard and with every fiber of my being, and tried to focus. Nesryn was in there. She was a child, and she was terrified. She needed me. She was relying on me. I had to save her.

The metal door scraped and shuddered as it rose from the ground. The quaking of the ground underfoot continued as I walked out into the Pit. It was a thick, lush forest today, much like the ones back in Peyrus. Towering pine trees surrounded me, and the floor was soft and mossy.

I stepped out slowly, taking in my surroundings. Trees. I hated trees. Too much cover. And they were so tall. I didn’t like this at all.

It was then that I realized the crowd was silent. I turned in a slow circle, looking around at the stands. They were full of Velesians, all eyes fixed on me. But silent. Barely a murmur.

I looked up into the royal box, and Theron was on his feet, dressed all in black, a black crown on his slicked-back hair. Rook sat beside him, bound in place by thick chains around his arms and torso.

“Your Highness!” Theron exclaimed, raising his hands. Still not a whisper from the crowd. My scalp prickled. “You have come here today to save the Princess of Isambard, is that so?”

“I have, Sire,” I replied, feeling the first drops of rain land on my forehead. “I will lay waste to whatever obstacle you have put in my way.”

Theron laughed loudly. “Yes, I am sure you will. But today the trial is slightly different. The Princess is not secured somewhere, you must find her first.” He leaned on the railing, his wings spread behind him. “Before whatever else is in here finds her of course. I would suggest you be somewhat quiet. It has excellent hearing.”

Rook’s face was set with worry as he looked at me, but he attempted a small smile and gave me a nod.You can do this.

The ground shook gently beneath me as I turned to look at the forest around me. Find Nesryn first. Where would I have hidden had it been me?

I advanced slowly, trying to orient myself. Unlike when the Pit had been turned into the jungle, the trees did not part, they stayed upright like sentries as I walked under them. The eerie silence of the crowd made me feel ill.