Page 50 of Claimed By Shadow and Blood (Of Fae and Wolf Trilogy #2)
Chapter Twenty-One
Briar
M y heart raced as wisps of light gray Aureline magic swirled around me.
Hysteria choked me, but I focused on what Many-Greats had said when he’d half-portaled into the cave for the second time.
I would be part of the third trial with the rest of the bridal contestants, and he’d make sure my friends survived so long as they listened to instructions.
Everything would work out for all of us, as long as we didn’t leave our circles until the end of the trial.
When I’d refused to leave without Elias, he’d assured me he would take care of him as well.
The gigantic set of double doors leading into the Ascension Hall appeared in front of me.
The smooth, cool floor soothed my feet, but that didn’t quiet the ringing in my ears or the way my body coiled.
Through it all, the yank in my chest had me wanting to shove the black marble doors open to find Vad.
I had no idea what I was going to face inside. And the thought of people looking at me like I was the king’s actual killer ripped me in two. I never would’ve done that to the king. He’d been a good man.
The Aureline guards opened the doors and gripped my arms hard at the elbows. A second later, they dragged me over the threshold into the Ascension Hall as if I were fighting them.
My bare feet slid on the slick marble, but the pain wasn’t anything like being scraped by the horrible coarse rock in the prison. The heavy wool dress still grated on my skin, warm but uncomfortable and scratchy. My wolf snarled as I tried to stand up straight once again. I needed my pride intact.
"Keep moving," the guard on my right growled low, yanking me forward.
I stumbled but caught myself as I bit back a growl. My wolf was close to the surface now, desperate after being caged for so long. I held her back, barely, but I wasn’t sure how long I could.
"Briar!" Thalira called out. “By the waters, what have they done to you?” The rings on her fingers glinted as she reached toward me, her soft black hair falling around her shoulders.
Myantha pressed her hands to her mouth, horrified, while Calla Lily hid her face in Velessa’s good shoulder, her other arm still in a sling. Yuki's usually calm features were twisted with anger.
Glowering, Quen started toward me. "Let her go, you callow-souled brutes!" She balled her fists. Her eyes met mine, fierce and determined despite the wetness gathering in them.
The guard on my left unsheathed his sword and pointed it at my friends. “Stay back. No one approaches the prisoner.”
Quen bared her teeth. “Void rot.”
My insides tensed, and my mouth dried. “Please don’t put yourself in danger for me. It’s fine.”
“We’re in the trial with her.” Yuki approached. “If she’s gonna kill us, we’ll take that chance. We’re all about to get sent in to face our deaths again. So, hands off our friend.” She stopped beside Quen.
“I said back off,” the guard demanded.
My heart expanded as my vision blurred. I hadn't realized how desperately I'd missed them until this moment. I couldn’t let any of them get hurt because of me.
“Disqualify them all for insubordination.” Kaylen sneered and tossed a mocking laugh my way. “If they’re here to support the assassin, then none of them are fit to?—”
“Oh, for feck’s sake, let her friends hug her,” Siray shouted from the back of the room. She set her hands on her waist, her expression pinched. “She’s never been a threat to any of them, unlike some who have love only themselves. She may be a fool, but she’s got a decent spirit.”
Kaylen arched an eyebrow. “It isn’t a matter of friendship. The best woman will win. The one whom Fate herself deems worthy. Ceana, tell her.”
There was no response, causing Kaylen to glance at Ceana, who stood there examining her nails.
Upper lip curling, Siray lifted her chin in challenge at Kaylen. “Looks like Ceana agrees with me now.”
Rhielle moved from behind Thalira. Her gaze softened when it met mine, and she flicked her attention to Vad and then back to me. She had to be trying to tell me something, but when I followed her gaze, my eyes locked with Vad’s, and my head spun.
Each time I saw him, the urge to be with him grew stronger. I would’ve sworn we were fated mates, but that wasn’t possible in this realm.
“That’s fine with me,” Kaylen shouted. “I’ll be the one who wins?—”
“Order! There will be order!” Vyraetos’s voice boomed through the huge marble room. “We will have the reading of the rules.”
Everyone fell silent, and Vad turned to face Vyraetos, his leathery wings spread wide. “The rules will not be read yet.”
Vyraetos’s brows lifted. “Your Highness, it’s time–”
“Whoever saw to the transfer of the prisoner back to this chamber, explain why the prisoner isn’t dressed like all the other candidates.” He tore his focus from me to glare at the guards standing on either side of me.
My breath hitched, and heat coiled inside me. The urge to run to him and throw my arms around his neck surged through me. All I wanted to do was bury my face in his shoulder and breathe in that heavy masculine scent of leather, smoke, and citrus.
“Are we putting our thumbs on the scales of justice?” Vad challenged. “Accused or not, assassin or not, if she competes, she receives the same treatment as the other candidates. Whatever Fate wills will be, and we shall not permit any accusations of creating a needlessly unfair environment."
My knees weakened, and I bit my lip to stop myself from speaking. The man afraid of love had transformed in front of me.
Vyraetos inclined his head forward. “That matter was overseen by the Aurelines. The Shadows would prefer that all candidates be outfitted equally. Therefore, unless a compelling reason is provided by the Aurelines, the proceedings will temporarily halt.”
One of the Aureline council members edged forward and said something in a voice so soft I couldn’t catch it. My wolf magic was weak from being caged, and I couldn’t hear as well as I could before.
Elara frowned, and Thalen scoffed.
Vad’s stance stiffened, and his expression darkened. “No.” He snapped his fingers and pointed to someone I couldn’t see. “Go fetch her attire and boots that fit.”
The Aureline council member spoke up a little louder, her voice shaking. “We understand, Your Highness. But the trial begins at a set time. We cannot delay it.”
“Then pray they move fast.” Vad sneered.
“Or you will bear the full punishment for this error—unless the source of this decision is presented. Send Briar through last if you must, but you will not put her at more of a disadvantage than any other contestant. When Fate judges her, it will be at her full capacity, and not because someone weighted things against her.”
I kept my chin up, eyes forward, though I could feel the weight of all those stares.
The only people whose reactions had surprised me were Siray and Ceana.
Ceana refused to look at me, staring down at her blue fingernails.
Siray had an expression of almost grudging respect, though I wondered if that was because she was angry with Kaylen after the second trial.
Vyraetos cleared his throat as the rapid footsteps of someone leaving the hall sounded.
He spoke in the same measured tone. “Now then, we can of course proceed with the explanation and rules. This is the third and final trial. Due to unusual circumstances, the High Aureline Council has ordered that it is Fate’s will for all members to participate.
It is known that Fate will strike down anyone who has attempted to kill or succeeded in killing a member of the royal family for whom the trials are being held.
” He met each woman’s eye. “This final trial will test the candidates separately.”
The hairs on the nape of my neck rose. They were separating us, and there was no doubt they intended to kill me and make it look as if Fate had wielded justice.
“This trial will assess the character of our future queen.” Vyraetos steepled his hands.
“None of you will be told how to win the challenge.
There are no special rules to be disclosed.
If you survive, you will be free and will receive favors and gifts from the Shadow Kingdom in honor of your service.
“When your trial begins, you will be placed in a chamber alone. No one will see what happens while you are there. You must choose the best course of action based on the situation provided for you. But there is one small mercy.”
He hesitated a beat, then lifted his index finger to draw attention to his point.
“Upon entry, you will be standing in a sigil. So long as you remain within the confines of that sigil, you will not be harmed. You can step out momentarily and then step back in and still be protected. So, if you do not wish to be queen, you do not have to step out of the circle…unless circumstances or your own choices compel you. If you stay out of your circle too long, it will vanish, so make your decisions wisely.”
I wanted to laugh. The last time we’d had circles and shields, all sorts of monsters had attacked us. I doubted the reality of the trial would be even remotely as easy as he made it seem.
“The test will conclude at a point of completion known only to Fate, and the exit will open at that time, unless you complete the challenge sooner. To complete it, you must simply cross the chamber and step into the corresponding sigil at the far end of your chamber,” Vyraetos continued, standing taller and leaning over, showing his face more directly.
“Bear in mind. Just because you step onto the final sigil does not mean you have won. The exit door will allow you to depart within minutes after you do, but it is only if the sigil flashes gold and glows that you will know you are the first to finish and are Fate’s choice according to this trial. ”