Page 57 of Once the Skies Fade (Immortal Reveries #2)

Chapter 57

Calla

V olatile.

The word reverberated in my head, pricking my conscience with every mental bounce and spin and turn. Isa wasn’t exactly wrong in using it, but still. I wasn’t particularly proud that I’d created such a situation last night.

But I didn’t create it. The humans did.

The meal was uncomfortably silent, and the clinking of the silver utensils on the dinnerware began to grate on my nerves before the first plate had been cleared away. The tension among the males only increased as time went on, Korben regularly glaring at Matthias with his loathing on full display. Graham at least seemed to attempt to hide his occasional scowls across the table. Matthias, as expected, pretended not to notice their animosity, even going so far as to smile at them in turn. Phillip shifted in his seat throughout the entire meal, so much so I half-wondered if he hadn’t had too much water and needed to relieve himself.

I could barely even enjoy my dessert—though, to be honest, it wasn’t one of my favorites from Chef Xavier’s repertoire—as we neared the kickoff of the third trial. This trial had seemed like a grand plan when we’d initially designed it before the males had arrived—before Matthias had ridden in and mucked up all of my plans for an emotionless, empty match. Now, even if he didn’t win, I’d be stuck in a dreadful marriage pining after someone else.

Matthias hadn’t actually performed well in the last two trials—though he’d come out on top regardless. There was little Isa could do in this next challenge to sway it in his favor if he didn’t succeed.

I stole a glance his way, only to meet his gaze. My shadows danced against the surface of my palms, but I held them steady. Smiling, I dropped my eyes back to the half-eaten honey custard. I should have probably warned him last night of what was to happen today. In fact, I had intended to after the citizens’ forum, but with the humans’ arrival, my volatile temper, and that whole worry over being mates, I’d all but forgotten.

Until now.

Could I watch him do this trial?

Could I witness him try to outwit death?

Did he have the knowledge he needed to beat this test?

Trust him .

I do, but I don’t trust these other males.

Or the vindictive assholes at the other end of the table.

I shot a wan smile at Ursula before sliding the last spoonful of dessert into my mouth. Something about the way she smiled back sent a cold jolt through my veins.

As one set of staff members cleared away our dessert bowls, another brought in a tray of wine goblets, placing a drink in front of each of us. Four more of my staff followed after them, each balancing a silver tray and stopping beside the competitors. All at once, they took four identical cordial glasses from their trays and placed them in front of the males.

My gut writhed at what was to come. Isa nudged my leg with her foot, a concerned look on her face. Mouthing the words “I’m fine,” I reached for my wine and took several hearty gulps.

Bracing her hands on the table, Isa started to rise but stopped at the sound of Ursula’s chair sliding back noisily. The bitter female stood, clasping her hands at her sternum as she stared down Isa.

“There’s been a change of plans, general.”