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I tuned out most of his blathering to focus on the woman who lingered behind his throne. Not that I cared about the traitor, but I noticed Raelynn wasn’t allowed to sit beside her royal mate. Instead, she stood next to him like one of his servants. Bet that burned her greedy ass.

As though she felt my scrutiny, she turned her attention to me. While meeting my eyes, a twisted smirk distorted her face. No doubt, she was eager to see me fall during the coming challenge. That we shared even a drop of blood between us was a mystery.

Never one to bow beneath my sister’s taunting, I flicked my fingers under my chin and blew her a kiss, the gesture meant tomimic a kiss of death. The classier version of sliding one’s finger across their throat.

To my delight, her smirk faded, replaced by an ugly snarl. When we were younger, Momma used to warn us our faces would freeze like that. I only wish it were true.

I dialed into the false king’s long-winded speech.

“There are three challenges. One per span. Each represents different aspects of our dear kingdom. The first span will demonstrate her land, the second her heart, and the last her many inhabitants. In these trials, Carcerem shall determine which of the criminals are deserving of redemption. Those who are deserving must persevere against the kingdom, themselves, and each other. Last one standing will have earned their freedom.”

At this, the competitors cheered louder than the crowd. I imagined it would be the last time any felt the desire to do so.

“Well, that was vague as hell,” Drazen grumbled. “Land, heart, inhabitants?”

“Stay together,” Victor ordered. His icy gaze scanned those around us. “Do not lead until we see what unfolds. Let the others spring the traps.”

I stiffened at the order. Our temporary partnership didn’t make him our leader. Not by a long shot.

“Agreed,” Kronk said far too readily.

My palm itched with the urge to slap him upside his thick head.

In the royal pavilion, King Idris raised his arms. Raelynn’s blacked hand rested on his shoulder. Golden energy glowed in his palms, growing brighter. Brighter.

“Let the Fallen Trials begin!” the king roared in an otherworldly voice, the deep tenor rumbling through the amphitheater.

Blinding light exploded from his hands, engulfing everything it touched. The force that blasted over my skin nearly knocked me on my ass. Stony arms wrapped around my frame as Kronk shielded me with his body.

Sand pitched and rolled beneath our feet.

“What’s happening?” I shouted as if anyone else had a clue.

Our entire world seemed to come apart, then reassemble in unexpected ways. The stands dissolved, the audience vaporizing.

Deep in my center, where my magic dwelled, a dark ache seized me. Ice scraped along my nerve endings, my life force burning me from the inside out. Except this pain. It wasn’t mine.

No.

It was Carcerem’s.

Our noble king defiled her. He stole her power for himself. Mysisterused her magic to aid him—for their entertainment. What they had done was vile. One of the worst crimes an individual could commit. Nausea rolled through my gut, and I fought with the urge to vomit.

As my stomach churned, the scene shifted. The amphitheater vanished, replaced by miles of endless shoreline. Before us, a restless ocean churned. Its waves crashed with frothy intensity. At its heart lay a small island, marked by a lone red flag. Suspended above the sandy mound, an enchanted timer glowed, counting down from twenty clicks.

The king had used the realm’s magic to create a compelling illusion. Unlike mine, this one had substance. Over the pounding waves, I registered the sounds of the crowd. While they still watched us in this magical environment, we could no longer see them.

“Now what?” Kronk asked.

Scattered along the beach were the other competitors. Like us, they glanced around in confusion.

“What? No instructions?” Drazen asked.

Victor stared out across the water. “Given the flag and timer. I’m assuming we’re meant to get to the flag in twenty clicks. Those who don’t make it in the time allotted won’t live to see the next challenge.”

“Fabulous,” I huffed, reaching for my reserve of power,finding it eager and ready. “I think the torques are deactivated.” To test my theory, I held out my hand, conjuring a raven. The illusion came easily, then darted off, flying for the horizon.

“Mine as well.” Drazen snapped his fingers, creating a single flame, then snuffed it out.