Page 6

Chapter

Five

Lil's chatter was a distant murmur, barely registering over the pounding of my heart. My eyes flicked past the vibrant flowers and grand trees, struggling to take in the lush surroundings. Instead, my gaze was fixed on the horizon, where groups of people were gathering, tiny figures from our vantage point.

As we crested the hill, the imposing walls of Azmeer came into view, rising above the swarm of people. They enclosed a breathtaking limestone palace that seemed to pierce the sky with its soaring spires and intricate carvings, far surpassing anything I'd seen before.

“Have you ever left Lesalia?” I asked Lil.

“Gods, yes,” she replied, her voice softer, more reflective.

“My father’s family still resides in the Court of Reflection. The Hydratas Sea is one of the most beautiful places. The sea is like a mirror when you stare at it, a perfect reflection.” Her eyes softened as if seeing those tranquil waters once more.

“I haven't been there for several years. My family's hope is that the Court of Reflection will notice me here, and then I'll receive my placement. I hope I get to travel between here and the Court of Reflection—I haven't explored Azmeer.”

Just as we were about to step into the crowd, a familiar voice broke through the murmur of voices.

“There you are!” In an instant, I was lifted off the ground, Kad’s laughter ringing out as he held me.

His eyes sparkled with excitement, his tousled hair and warm, mischievous smile put me at ease.

“You won’t be seeing me for much longer if you keep that up. You’ll grind me to dust,” I suppressed a smile.

He laughed, setting me down before placing his hands on my shoulders.

“I’ve been looking for you.” His eyes, a captivating mix of green with golden flecks sparkled.

Turning to Lil, he asked, “And who might you be?”

“I’m Lil,” she answered, meeting his gaze with confidence.

“And despite what you might hear, not Lilianna.”

He studied her for a moment, a playful smile tugging at his lips.

“Duly noted, Lil.”

“Lil, this is Kadian. The friend I was telling you about,” I said, feeling the warmth of our reunion spread through me.

“You were telling her about me?” Kad's eyebrows shot up, a mock expression of surprise on his face. His eyes flicked down before sighing and shaking his head. “You are far too kind,” he teased.

“You can’t be sure that what I said was kind or sweet,” I shot back, giving his shoulder a light tap.

He leaned in close, his voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. “Ah, yes, but I can hope.” Grinning, he extended a hand to Lil. “Good to meet you. Despite what she may…or may not have said about me.”

Lil shook his hand, her smile widening. “The pleasure’s mine. And don’t worry, she’s only said good things. So far.”

As we stepped into the crowd, the playful banter eased some of the tension, but my attention was overwhelmed by the scene around us. My gaze swept over the throngs of Fae and nymphs, drawn to the towering gates that led to the labyrinthine courtyard of Azmeer. Each gate bore the insignia of one of the four courts: The Court of Shadows, The Court of Reflection, The Court of Whispers, and the Eternal Court. They loomed like ancient guardians, their presence heavy with unspoken power. The limestone palace behind them stood tall and intimidating, a reflection of the complex and formidable world we were stepping into.

The crowd was a roiling sea of hopefuls and onlookers, the air buzzing with excited chatter and hushed whispers. Spectators had gathered on the tops of the walls, their eyes like hawks, scanning the mass of contestants below. The pressure of so many eyes, the anticipation in the air—it all pressed in on me, making my breath come faster. Lil groaned beside me, catching my attention.

“Oh, look at them,” she muttered, nodding toward the entrance.

Three Fae men stepped onto the top of the wall, and the entire crowd seemed to draw a collective breath. An immediate hush fell over the courtyard, a ripple of gasps and murmurs following. The men moved with a fluid grace, their every step drawing the eyes of all present. The atmosphere grew denser, as if the very air had shifted with their arrival.

“Who are they?” Kadian edged closer to Lil, his curiosity piqued.

Lil raised an eyebrow. “Don’t you know who the princes are?”

Kadian gave her a roguish grin. “I might. But I may just want to hear your voice.”

The roll of Lil's eyes drew a chuckle from me and a deeper smirk from Kadian.

He never was one to stand down from a challenge.

She gestured toward the tallest one.

“That’s Alvar. He’s the eldest—charming, but ruthless. To his left is Rai. And trust me, you don’t want to know what he is.” Her gaze shifted.

“And the one to the right is Dainan. All dangerous in their own way, so you’d better keep a lookout for them. Always.”

My gaze locked onto Dainan, and a flush of warmth spread through me.

“He’s beautiful,” I murmured, captivated by the dark-haired prince's presence.

Kadian snickered beside me. “Get your head out of the gutter. You’ve got a job to do.” He nudged me, teasing.

“My head is in its appropriate place, focusing on the task at hand. Thank you.” I grumbled.

“You’ve always had a type.” Kadian leaned in and winked as a laugh escaped him.

Lil turned to me, her expression serious. “If any of them approach you, stay sharp and keep your distance. Especially Dainan—he’s known for taking a special interest in new women at court. If you’re not careful, you might give the impression that you’re here for titles, like princess or queen, rather than focusing on earning your place in the courts. Keep a safe distance.”

I nodded, trying to hide the embarrassment heating my face. My throat felt tight, and I swallowed hard, forcing myself to focus.

“How old are they?” Kadian murmured, following my gaze.

“I’m not sure how old Alvar is, but Rai and Dainan are around the same age. Close to three hundred years.”

“Did I just hear you correctly?” Kadian’s voice began to fade from my mind as my gaze solidified itself on the brothers.

From where we stood, Rai seemed the smallest of the brothers, just under six feet tall. All three had broad shoulders and dark hair that glinted with red highlights in the sunlight, like living flames. We knew of King Elidas back home, his strifes, his journey to claim the throne, but little had been known about his sons. No one knew what they looked like.

Now, standing before them, I couldn't help but feel a rush of unease coiled in my stomach.

They were nothing like what I’d imagined, but just as terrifying.

Alvar’s hair fell to his shoulders in a sleek cascade, Rai's was shorter but not quite cropped, and Dainan’s had a slight wave, falling to his chin. Their faces were symmetrical, with features too perfect to belong to anyone I’d ever known. Each sported a slender nose, a strong jawline, and fathomless dark eyes—eyes that carried the weight of a thousand secrets.

Their physiques spoke of rigorous training, muscles taut under their clothes, their disciplined stances reminding me of hunters sizing up their prey. Alvar exuded an air of elegance and control, his movements fluid, precise. Rai, despite being the smallest, radiated an intensity that made my pulse quicken. Dainan’s wild waves of hair and the glint in his dark eyes unsettled me more than I wanted to admit. His gaze cut through the crowd, and I felt it land on me, sending a tremor down my spine, my chest tightening.

I looked away, my hands trembling. I didn’t want him to see—didn’t want anyone to see the mess swirling inside me. My palms were slick with sweat, and I rubbed them against my thighs, trying to stay calm. This wasn’t the time to fall apart. The weight of my lie—the secret that I didn’t belong here—pressed harder on my chest with every second.

Lil nudged me, her eyes bright with excitement, but I couldn’t return the smile. What would she think if she knew the truth? Would she turn her back on me like everyone else would if they discovered I’d cheated my way in? My breath hitched, and I forced myself to take slow, measured breaths. A mantra started looping through my head— just stay calm, just get through this, just don’t let them see —but it was getting harder to believe it.

The crowd shifted around us, a living, breathing mass of nerves and awe. The atmosphere grew thick with anticipation, the air suffocating. The sea of contestants felt like it was closing in on me, threatening to drown me in the reality of what was coming. I pressed a hand to my chest, willing my heart to slow down, but it kept hammering as figures in robes began to appear above each gate, signaling the start of the Trials.

As the tension in the courtyard grew, figures in distinct robes began to appear above each of the gates, representing the four courts. Their attire mirrored the essence of their respective domains: shadows danced around the members of the Court of Shadows, the members of the Court of Whispers were shrouded in ethereal silks, the Court of Reflection members adorned themselves with fabrics that looked like walking waves when they moved, and the Eternal Court's representatives exuded an aura of timeless elegance.

The crowd murmured in awe, the weight of the moment settling over everyone like a heavy cloak.

I averted my gaze, focusing on the figure who had just stepped forward—a tall, gaunt man with eyes like polished obsidian.

He moved with eerie grace, as if he could slip away at any moment and vanish into thin air.

His form seemed almost translucent, flickering in and out of focus.

He wasn’t real in the way we were.

The Master of Trials.

A living archive, the keeper of all the knowledge and rules of the Courting.

The unease in my gut twisted tighter, and I could feel the sweat trickling down my spine.

I wasn’t ready for this.

I wasn’t ready for any of it.

But I had no choice.