Page 76 of Spirit Trials

“Not everybody thinks he’s evil,” he says defensively.

“Of course not. Iknowhe’s not evil. I just meant the other crazies in this kingdom.”

“Yeah, well, Rysden hasn’t exactly helped his image.”

I turn to look at him. “How so?”

Jamik shrugs. “You know how he is. He lets people believe what they will about him, and he is too quick to project the image of the evil prince.”

“Yeah, I’ve kind of caught that about him. Why is that?” I ask.

“To protect his mom.”

We’re at the top of the steps now. “Not your mom?” I question.

“We don’t have the same mom.”

He doesn’t offer anymore, and I don’t push him for anything else. “I don’t understand, though. How does Rysden being feared or hated in the public eye protect his mom?”

“Because my son is very hard-headed and does what he wants to do no matter what anybody says.”

I whirl around at the voice and peer over the edge and stare down at the dark-haired woman standing in the lobby pulling off long dark gloves. I look at Jamik, but he’s already halfway down the hallway. I swallow; I guess I’m on my own. I head back down the stairs. When I’m on the ground floor, I realize she’s much taller than I originally realized. She's also the most regal woman I’ve ever met. If I didn’t know she was a queen, I would guess that. I look around for Hector, but he’s nowhere to be seen.I guess it’s just me.She doesn’t wait for me as she walks under the huge stone archway and into the great room. I quickly follow her. She’s obviously been here many times because she walks right over to the shelf where the mugs are and takes one down. She sets about heating hot water, and I stand off to the side, wondering if I should say something. When she’s finished her task and is waiting for the water to heat, she crosses her armsand pins her gaze on me. It's so much like Rysden that I can’t help but smile.

“So, you’re the girl that has my son all tied up.”

I return her steady gaze. “And you’re the queen who’s married to an awful king.” I don’t drop my gaze.

She stares at me a long moment before her lips curve into a wry smile. “I think I’m going to like you.”

Chapter39

“I’ve heard that you’ve done well in the first two trials.”

I take in her words. “I hadn’t realized you would be interested.”

She waves a hand at me. “I may not condone the trials and might hate them actually, but I have a reason for being interested in them this year.” She studies me a moment. “You’ve certainly given our kingdom something to talk about.”

Her words give me pause. “What?”

She turns to me and smiles, but it’s not a gentle smile. There’s a coolness to it that makes me uneasy. “Our kingdom is divided for and against the orange-haired girl who’s upending these trials.”

I roll my eyes. “It’s red.”

She studies my hair, but I could care less. The color of my hair is the least of my worries when she continues. “This girl that’s caught the attention of an entire kingdom—the girl who keeps saving people. I’ve heard the stories.” She eyes me like she doesn’t know what to think of me. “This girl who’s showing our kingdom there’s a different way to win the spirit trials besides killing.”

I cross my arms over my chest. “I’m not going to take a life just to win a stupid competition, and I’m not going to apologize for it.”

“I don’t want you to.” I look over at her, but she turns her attention back to making her tea, giving me a reprieve from her assessing gaze. When her tea is finished, she carries it over to the fire. “Sit with me, Lady Mercy.”

"Lady Mercy?” I repeat.

“That’s what they’re calling you. My people,” she adds.

I shake my head. “I’m just trying to survive.”

“Mmmm.” Rysden’s mother lifts her cup to her mouth and takes a sip, never taking her dark eyes off me. “I need you to win the Spirit Trials.” I don’t say anything as her words seem to ring in my ears.

“Why?” I finally ask.