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Didn’t he?
I had to get my head on straight. This competition was making me dizzy.
“Rona knew the competition was more than diplomacy,” the king said. “She wished to skew the odds better in her favor.”
She had assumed that I was likely to win. More likely than Fina or Adora. But she was just a commoner, what did she know? But—she was a commoner of Nightfall.
The king was still watching me.
“I see,” I said. My voice only trembled minutely. “Your Majesty, I’d quite like to get cleaned up.”
12
I slept fitfully. My dreams were strange, half-remembered, some nightmarish recollections of Rona’s teeth when she’d lunged for me, and some strange sensual flashes of a broad chest and dark eyes. I was relieved to shake the dream off when I woke up and let Amity and Rue dress me for breakfast. They’d helped me clean up last night, and the memory of that was present in the gentleness of their hands and Amity’s concerned sigh.
“I feel like I should warn you,” she said, low. “The kitchens got word that the duchess will be taking breakfast in the solarium.”
My stomach turned. Somehow, the thought of facing Duchess Alana was more nausea-inducing than seeing the king again. “Thanks,” I murmured.
“You don’t seem to be in a good state to be surprised,” Amity said.
I chuckled, but it didn’t sound amused, even to my own ears. “You’re right about that,” I said. “I probably would’ve fainted as soon as I saw her if you hadn’t warned me.”
“She’s stern,” Rue said, “but understanding.”
I nodded. It was a nice sentiment, but how could a duchess be expected to brush off the death of one of her pack members? No matter how this breakfast went, it was going to be uncomfortable.
I made my way to the solarium, escorted by Amity and Rue in their wolf forms. As I stood in front of the door, Amity bumped her nose into my hand and flicked her ears reassuringly. I swallowed and smiled down at her, a little rush of affection racing through me.
The duchess’ severe, dark gaze was on me the moment I stepped into the solarium. She was dressed formally, in the black and rich purple colors of her court, at the head of the table. Her long, tapered fingers were wrapped around a steaming mug of coffee, but she seemed to have no interest in it at all. Adora was already seated at the table, looking a bit awkward herself, and relieved I’d arrived. I took my place at the table, and Fina hurried in right after me.
“Good morning, ladies,” the duchess said. “I’ve come to inform you of a change of circumstances.”
“What is it?” Fina asked. “What happened, milady?”
“Rona of Nightfall is no longer a part of the competition,” the duchess said curtly. “You are the three remaining contestants of the King’s Choice.”
Adora’s eyes widened. “Oh, wow,” she murmured.
“She was dismissed?” Fina asked.
The duchess’ dark eyes drilled into me. “We will not be discussing details.”
Fina swallowed and turned her gaze to her coffee.
The cold tension lingered between all four of us, but it didn’t seem to bother the duchess a bit as she stared me down. A Nightfall wolf attacked a Daybreak wolf and is killed. It was long ago that our two packs were at war, but there were still plenty of wolves in both packs for whom the wounds were fresh.
The duchess’ scorn froze my breath in my lungs. She kept her gaze on me for a seemingly endless moment. Then, suddenly, with a brisk snap of her fingers, she summoned the servants in to bring breakfast. As my plate was filled with the usual delights, I couldn’t summon the appetite to eat any of it.
“Now,” the duchess said, “it’s time for the final trial. Tomorrow, you will be attending the closing ball for the King’s Choice. You will be expected to face the council again, but this time, you will be presenting to the council.”
“Oh?” Adora asked. “Like a diplomatic meeting?”
“Yes,” the duchess said. “The council has tested your knowledge of governance and manners, and your physical skill on the battlefield. Now, the council would like to know why each of you wish to wear the Crown of Nightfall at King Elias’ side.”
Fina nodded, trying her best to look excited, but I could see the despair in her eyes. This felt like a terrible school assignment—having to stand in front of the council and argue that I wanted the crown? I was good at navigating diplomatic situations, like trade disputes and legal questions, but just standing there and telling them I wanted this seemed like an impossible task. And I could only assume the duchess would be trying to thwart me every step of the way. She already distrusted me for what had happened with Rona.
It would be miserable. But if the duchess disliked me, surely Adora would be the one chosen. The king had said he had the final say—but sitting here in front of the duchess, I wasn’t sure if his desires would be able to outweigh her and the council’s influence.
