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Nikolai went rigid beside her.

“It was a Margygr, it was chained to the lake ground right where the hole was located so it was a deliberate attack. First the wolves and now a sea creature, that has to stop.”

“You are not in the position to make any demands. I had no idea of this sea creature until just now,” his mother growled. Nikolai looked at his mother trying to determine if she was lying or not.

“I know the crown has little regard for nature, I do not expect much else, but trapping animals into these trials is inhumane. A dragon had to die because of this.” Noora was starting to shake in anger.

“You killed him, not me.”

“Because he attacked me and Sören! If I hadn’t cut his head off, we would still be trapped inside that mountain and you’d have to explain to your subjects why two of your precious contestants won’t come back.”

They started to raise their voices and Nikolai felt like he needed to de-escalate the situation.

“Why don’t you sit down, Noora? We will find a solution—”

She swatted at him aggressively until he let go of her. “I do not want to sit down. I came here to help you find the one who has been sabotaging the tournament because I know who it was.”

“Really?” His mother raised a sharp brow as if she could not wait to hear what she had to say. “Then go on and enlighten us, wise girl.”

Noora took a few steps towards the queen, Nikolai following her like a guard dog.

“It was you.”

There was silence in the room before his mother broke out into laughter again. Noora looked at her confused andNikolai cringed. “Noora, why would my mother manipulate the tournament that was planned by the crown?”

“Because she hates me, hated me from the moment my name got announced in town.”

“And why would I then attack not only you but Kekoa as well?” His mother questioned. She looked amused by Noora’s antics. Well, better than being angry and wanting to chop her head off.

“I know that you despise Sosye as much as witches, Your Majesty, Pika said he was chased in the forest too. The only one who got spared was Sören and I don’t account this to his overly good skills but the fact that he is the only one who origins from Oy Frossen.”

Now his mother looked angry. The moment she started to walk towards Noora, a determined look on her face, Nikolai slid in between the two women.

“I think we all need to take a step back before someone gets hurt.”

“You need to stop drinking so much,” Noora snapped and he glared at her. Did she not notice that her life was in danger right now? “As important as it is to find the perpetrator, I would put my hand into fire saying that my mother is not guilty,” he continued.

“You believe her? The sea creature told me itself it was chained by the crown—”

“And where is your little friend right now, take us to her so she can tell us herself,” his mother bit back.

Noora hesitated.

“You would not understand it anyway, she talks in a different language than mortals do.”

Euphemia scoffed.

“How would that prove anything, if we cannot understand it? That seems convenient.”

“And what about your hands?” Nikolai followed Noora’s gaze to notice indeed that his mother’s hands were covered in black.

“Why do you keep trying to rub the oil off as if you were guilty of something? You could’ve used the oil to get the blades of my skates or rather loosen them.”

This was his mother’s breaking point, he could see something flake away in her eyes, as if an ember came to life, determined to burn down the world until there was nothing left. Before she could act on it he stepped in.

“Enough.” Noora looked up at him in surprise. “I will escort you back to your room, Noora.” He grabbed her crutches ignoring her glare and gently pushed her out of the room. He felt his mother burn a hole into his back, however, he decided to ignore her. The day brought enough fights and despite how much he despised his mother sometimes, he knew she was not the one who was guilty of this accusation.

Noora remained silent as he escorted her back through the palace, the dull impact of her crutches against the marble a steady companion. He sneaked a look at her from the side, marvelling about how glasslike her skin seemed to look. Her white hair was pulled back into a braid, a few flowers were stuck inside, his guess was Tyra visited her sometime during the day. She still grimaced with every step she took, but at least she was capable of walking again.