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Chapter

Seven

I followed the contestants through a labyrinth of corridors, each turn revealing new wonders of the palace's grandeur. When we entered the central hall, I was rendered speechless. The stairwell before us rose like a monument of ivory marble. My breath caught in my throat. “Gods, this place is massive,” I whispered, my heart pounding with awe and anxiety. My entire house could have fit into this entryway at least ten times over.

A commanding voice boomed as we were led into an antechamber, “Everyone, please proceed through these doors. We are about to begin.” Stepping into the next room, a wave of heat hit me, a sharp contrast to the lingering chill on my skin. The warmth was almost stifling, adding to the unease building inside me. Taking my seat among the contestants, I found my gaze drifting around the room. The limestone walls, though unadorned, seemed to glow with the light streaming through the three large windows opposite us. Its beauty only marred by the dark, swirling shadows clinging to the three princes standing on a blood-red stage that dominated the room. The shadows moved like living ink, undulating around them as a reminder of their connection to the Court of Shadows. The oppressive weight of darkness in the room was almost palpable, an invisible shroud that heightened my unease. I tried to focus, steadying my breath, but then I felt it—Dainan’s gaze, steady and searching. For a brief moment, everything else faded, and I was simply there, held captive by him. His brow furrowed as his eyes narrowed, an intensity in his gaze that sent heat across my skin. It was a sharp, dissecting look, as though he were measuring every part of me, deciding if I was worth his attention—a curiosity, or perhaps something more. Tension coiled in the space between us, an unspoken question hanging in the air. Was I just another newcomer, a fleeting intrigue to be toyed with, or someone worth pursuing—a challenge he couldn’t ignore?

I turned my attention to Lil and Kadian, their lighthearted conversation a welcome distraction from the nervous energy thrumming through me.

Moments later, a tall, slender woman with waist-length black hair took center stage. Her presence was commanding, her black armor gleaming with a fierce elegance. “Welcome,” she said, her voice slicing through the murmur of the audience.

An unmistakable tension settled over the room as she continued. "Welcome to Azmeer." A collective murmur of anticipation rippled through the crowd.

“Asana,” Lil whispered. “She’s the Speaker for the House of Shadows.” The name was familiar from my studies. Asana’s honey-colored skin shimmered with a golden sheen, her ruby-studded armor a symbol of her formidable power and authority.

The heat of the room grew almost unbearable, and I found myself fanning my flushed face. Lil’s concern was evident as she leaned closer. “Are you okay?” she asked.

I nodded, though my distress was evident.

“Congratulations on completing the first task. As the Master of Trials made clear, receiving an invitation to a Courting is a privilege.”Asana’s gaze swept over us with measured intensity, making my pulse race. "Contestants are allowed only one chance to compete. This will be your sole opportunity.”

The room held its breath, the resonance of her words wrapping around us like an iron grip. “To be chosen by one of the four courts is to enter a realm unlike anything you've ever known. This is your chance to shape the very fabric of our world, to stand among those who dictate the laws that govern us all.”

Her gaze cut through the air, piercing deep into the hearts of everyone present. “The Houses that represent the courts form the Center Court here in Azmeer, where the most critical decisions are forged. To be granted a seat at that table is not just to have a voice in the governance of our realm; it is to wield the raw, untamed magic bestowed by the Primals themselves.”

This elusive magic of the courts—we had only glimpsed fragments of it that afternoon. Despite the endless hours I’d spent searching for even a hint of its true power, I had yet to find anything that detailed the extents of what court magic could do. It was like trying to catch smoke in my hands; the knowledge was always just out of reach, hidden in riddles and whispers, never quite revealing itself.

“If you are chosen,” Asana said, her voice steady yet charged with an undercurrent of intensity, “you will step into a life beyond your wildest dreams. A life brimming with power, influence, and a connection to the ancient forces that guide us all. This marks the beginning of a journey that could transform everything—if you can endure the challenges ahead.”

She paused, allowing the weight of her words to settle over us. “Your education will commence tomorrow. For now, you will be escorted to the inductees' wing, where your quarters await. Your belongings have already been delivered. Use this time wisely to prepare yourselves. Dinner will be served at the sixth bell this evening. Good luck.”

The crowd erupted into applause, but the sound felt distant, hollow. I stared around the room at those who had earned their place, been granted an invitation to Azmeer. I’m here for Dad. A tight knot of guilt twisted in my chest, and I forced myself to take a slow, unsteady breath. I’m here for Dad , I reminded myself, repeating it like a mantra. You did this for him. You had no other choice.

But even as I told myself that, the tremor in my fingers persisted, a subtle reminder of the lie I was living. I stared down at my hands, willing the shaking to stop, but it wouldn’t. The crowd’s approval, their cheers, all of it felt wrong.

Clasping my hands together, I exchanged an exhausted glance with Lil and Kadian, the weight of the day settling on our shoulders. Asana left the stage, brushing past the princes. Her gesture toward Alvar caught my eye, and I wondered about the significance of that brief contact.

“What a day,” Kadian murmured. “Thank the Gods she mentioned dinner. I’m starving,”

“Hopefully our rooms will be near each other. If not, I’m sure we can bribe someone,” Lil added with a wink.

I turned back to the stage where the princes had vanished into the shadows. “Shadow stepping,” Lil explained, squeezing my hand. “It’s a rare gift, limited to members of the Court of Shadows. Dainan and Asana both possess it.” The ability to move through shadows…

What world have I found myself in?