Page 49 of Spirit Trials (The Spirit Kingdoms #1)

I turn around with a sigh. “What did you want me to do, Rysden? Kill an innocent woman.”

“Yes.” He doesn’t even bat an eye. He stalks closer, and I hold my ground. “You kill any person that is ever a threat to you. Every single time.”

I stare up at him as he crowds my space. “She was just protecting her territory,” I tell him softly. “I would have protected myself if I needed to. Who were those women?”

He stares down at me, and I don’t think he’s going to answer at first. “They’re the widows of our warriors.”

It takes a moment for his words to register. “But that’s,” I pause, trying to find the right word.

“Terrible,” Rysden fills in for me. “Their husbands die fighting our battles, and we leave them and their children to starve to death.” His words are brutal, but his eyes tell a different story.

“So, you take food to them.”

He gives a short nod. “It’s the least I can do when my father has turned his back on them.”

“Why don’t they have anything? Surely, their husbands receive a stipend or something to fight for the king.”

“They do. All my father’s soldiers are paid well and given a house when they join the King’s service. But when they die, that home goes back to the king.”

I stare at him. “The women lose their homes and income?”

“Yes.”

“But surely they can do something to make an income.” I’m still trying to wrap my mind around this.

“Some do, but some can’t get on their feet fast enough. They make their way to where at least they have a roof over their heads, and they work with other women to try and make a go of it. But it’s a hard life.”

“I’m surprised your father even lets them stay there,” I mutter. The muscle in Rysden’s cheek clenches. “He doesn’t know,” I piece out. Rysden nods. “How can he possibly not know?”

“My father doesn’t leave his precious castle except for times like the trials where he can flaunt his power. Traveling inside his own kingdom, checking on his own people?” Rysden shakes his head. “He’s never done that.”

“What about the soldiers? Some of his soldiers must know about that area?”

“They do, but they’re the wives and children of their fallen comrades. They don’t help, but they don’t turn them in to my father.”

“What does your father think happens to these women and children?”

“I’m sure he’s never spent a moment dwelling on it.”

It’s my turn to shake my head. “Your father is evil incarnate.” He doesn’t disagree. I feel exhausted suddenly. “I’m going up to bed.”

“I’ll walk you up.”

We’re both quiet as we head up the stairs and down the hall. I reach out to open the door to my room, and Solace goes inside. “Night, Rysden.”

“Farrah, wait.” I turn back to face him. “My father is evil, and I would kill him—”

“But you can’t,” I say for him. “Because it would kill your mother. I know. Honestly, I get it.”

He studies me in that intense way of his, and I wait for him. “Why are you so accepting of me?” His question kind of blindsides me. “You could hate me for everything I’ve done to you, for who my father is, and yet you don’t. You should hate me.”

“I did for a little bit,” I admit. “But I don’t judge you for your father; he’s his own person, responsible for his own actions.”

“I’m just like him,” he says quietly.

“You are nothing like your father.” My voice whips through the hallway. “And you never will be. And I get why you did what you thought you had to do in bringing me here because of your mom’s vision. Maybe just next time, talk to me first.”

“Next time?” His voice is low, and there’s a touch of humor there.

“Okay, yeah. Let’s never do that again. I do have a question for you, though.” He waits. “Why did you force me into the trials?”

“I didn’t. I had no intention of putting you in the trials; that was all my father. When he found out about you, he threatened to banish you unless you participated in the trials.”

“Why?” My voice is not nearly as calm as I hoped it would be.

“He found out that I brought an outsider in and was furious. The only way he’d allow you to stay is if you entered the trials just like everyone else. I think he thought you wouldn’t make it out alive.”

I cock an eyebrow at that. “I showed him.”

That sexy smirk is back. “Yeah, you really did, Lady Mercy.”

“Ugh,” I groan. “Not you too.”

“You earned the nickname, and now you’re stuck with it.”

“Why is everybody so obsessed with this stupid nickname?”

His face sobers. “Because nobody shows mercy in the games. Nobody.” He stares down at me. “And then you waltz in, saving people left and right, never killing, and showed everyone that there’s more than one way to win.”

I scoff. “I’m surely not the only one who doesn’t kill in the trials. I’m sure you didn’t,” I challenge.

His eyes darken. “You think I’m merciful? I’m not. You should be afraid of me.”

I laugh softly. “You are a dangerous prince with a corporal wolf at your side. And yet, you are incredibly merciful. You take care of the women and children who are in need,” I remind him. “You have a soft side, Prince.”

He stares down at me and lifts a hand. I don’t move as he pushes my braid over my shoulder and then rests his hand there. “You are the only person that sees good in me.”

My heart squeezes at his words. “No, I’m not. Those women and children do. Your mother does. The men here in this house do, and I’m sure many more do as well.” That hand reaches up and skims my cheek ever so softly.

“Don’t ever lose that, Farrah.”

“What?” I ask breathlessly.

“The ability to see good in everyone.”

His hand reaches back and clasps the back of my neck and tugs me gently forward. “There’s something I’ve been wondering about.” His words are low, and they cause a shiver to race through me.

“Yes?” I ask breathlessly.

“Are your lips as soft as they look?”

A thrill runs through me as I meet his eyes, and I feel a smile form. “You’ll have to find out, if you’re not too afraid, that is.”

That sexy smirk is back. “Is that a challenge?”

“It most definitely is, Prince.”

Footsteps sound behind us, and I pull back. Lox walks past us whistling and just as casual as can be. “Night.”

“Good night,” Rysden says.

I manage a quick good night. Lox’s door closes a minute later, and I look up at Rysden.

He gives me a soft smile, but it’s obvious the moment between us is over.

“Get some sleep.” The second he turns away, I open my door and slip inside.

I’m in my bed a few minutes later, but it takes a while for my mind to slow so I can sleep.

The next morning after sleeping late because of our late night, I head to the dining area, only to stop when I see several strangers sitting at the table. “Um, hi.”

Rysden enters the room behind me. “Good, you’re awake.”

“Good morning to you too.”

He gives me a small smile before turning to the strangers. “This is Farrah.”

“She is beautiful,” the man says, looking me over.

“Uh, thank you.” It comes out as a question.

“She is,” Rysden agrees. He turns to me. “They’re here to help you get ready for the Champion’s Ball this evening.”

“Pretty sure I can dress myself and get ready on my own.”

A chair slides back from the table. “Pardon me, Lady Mercy. While you are beautiful in your natural beauty, the ball is a time for you to shine. As the champion, all eyes will be on you. We will take what you already have and make you shine.”

I glance at Rysden. He steps close and speaks softly, so they can’t hear. “I wanted you to feel confident going into the ball tonight, but say the word, and I can send them away.”

“No, it’s fine. I can probably use all the help I can get.”

He frowns. “You’re beautiful just as you are.”

His words warm my heart. “Thanks, Rysden. It will be good to have help.”

“If you’re sure.”

I smile at him. “I am.”

His eyes dip to my lips for the second time in twenty-four hours. “That smile.” He reaches up and strokes my cheek, just like he did last night. “I would kill for that smile.” His low words send a shiver through me.

Somehow, I know he’s saying it literally. “Well, don’t. Let’s let everybody live today.” I pat his chest and turn back to the three women and one man. “Let me eat, and we can get to work.”

I know I told Rysden I would need all the help I could get, but I really didn’t expect it to take all day.

But here we are. I have literally been fussed over all day.

There’s not a piece of me that hasn’t been scrubbed.

My nails are so clean, I don’t even recognize them.

And my hair—I’ve never seen it so red and soft.

I can’t stop touching my curls, even though Vallis keeps pushing my hands away.

He’s been intense all day. Every time he snaps his fingers, the girls rush to do his bidding.

The man does not mess around; he takes his job very seriously.

I stopped caring hours ago, though. Now, I’m just ready to be done.

“Would you please stop moving,” Vallis says.

“Sorry,” I mutter for at least the hundredth time today.

Finally, he steps back and runs his eyes over my face and hair. “Let’s get you dressed. The girls will assist you with your gown.”

A few minutes later, I stand before a full-length mirror and stare at the girl, no, the woman in the mirror.

I barely recognize her, and yet, she’s me.

My curls are perfect and soft and pinned up on the sides, while the rest fall down my back.

My lips are painted red, matching my hair color.

There’s kohl on my eyes, and it makes them look larger.

My eyes drop to my gown. I’ve never worn something so exquisite.

The dress is all black with an underlay of gold that you can see when I walk.

It’s sleeveless with a v-neck and a large gold flower that wraps around my waist. It’s elegant and gorgeous.

“You look amazing, Lady Mercy,” Stacia, one of the girls who’s been helping me, says.

“Thank you; I owe it all to you girls. You’re miracle workers.”

“No.” She shakes her head. “You are already beautiful; we just enhanced it.”

I smile at her. “Thank you.”

“We will leave you now and send your prince in.”

They disappear, and the room quiets for the first time today.

I want to just enjoy the peace, but a knock sounds on my door.

I walk over to the door, marveling at the slippers I’m wearing.

They’re soft but supportive. I take a nervous breath and open the door and take in the man standing before me.

He looks every part the warrior prince in all black with a cape attached to his shoulders and various weapons stashed all over his body.

I watch as his eyes leave mine and slowly trail down my body.

His gaze feels like a caress on my skin, and I resist the urge to shiver.

When his eyes meet mine, I’m taken aback at the heat in his eyes.

“There are no words to describe how you look tonight.”

I smile. “They worked miracles on me.”

“No, Farrah. You could show up in a sack tonight, and every eye would still be on you because of your beauty.”

His words shock me speechless. He reaches out and touches one of my curls. “About that kiss from last night,” he starts.

“Don’t even think about it,” Vallis says, appearing out of literally nowhere.

“No messing up my work.” He claps his hands.

“Let’s go people, or the Champion is going to be late to her own ball.

I will not have the great Vallis name attached to someone that can’t even arrive to their own ball on time. ”

Rysden’s eyes meet mine, and we both barely contain a laugh. Later, he mouths; and I know I’m not going to focus on anything else the rest of the night.