“And then there were twelve.”
“Could’ve been eleven,” Kit tutted, casting a sidelong glance at Elyria as they settled into their respective beds.
The room was plainly appointed, just large enough for the two beds that had magically appeared when they stepped through the door. After nights spent in cramped tents and cold jail cells—Elyria’s bones ached just thinking about it—it was nothing short of luxury.
“Could’ve, would’ve,” Elyria sighed. “Had only I known it was Sir Stick Up His Ass that I was saving, I would have let that dragon finish what it started.”
“Whatever you say.” The knowing taunt in Kit’svoice rankled Elyria. “Now that I think about it, it should’ve been ten, actually. If you hadn’t charged in after me, the knight would have been dragon food,andyou wouldn’t have filled Cormac’s spot. You really are trying to make this as difficult as possible for me, aren’t you?” she teased.
Elyria stuck out her tongue. “The knight is reckless. He’s already nearly gotten himself killed several times. I’m sure your odds will even out again before you know it.”
Kit smirked, her blue and green eyes glinting. “And how would you feel about that?”
Elyria stiffened. “I’d be glad for it, of course. One less champion in your way.”
“Mm-hmm,” Kit murmured, her tone making it clear she didn’t believe Elyria for a second.
Swallowing her indignation, Elyria opted to change the subject. “I feel like a new woman,” she said as she braided the wet length of her hair over her shoulder. “Clean sleeping gown, soft bed, hot bath...” She waved a hand, first at the doorway between their beds that led to a cozy bathing room, then to the dresser on the other side of the room. Inside, they’d found a myriad of clothing options, sized and styled as if they’d been selected just for them. “Achampioncould get used to this shit.”
A contented breath left her lungs as she leaned back. Even knowing this was only a temporary lull, a false comfort before the storm of additional trials that would follow, Elyria was grateful. Her stomach was full. Her body was mended. And, sneaking a surreptitious glance at Kit as she fluffed her pillow, Elyria thought some of her older, less visible wounds might be starting to heal as well.
Kit was undeterred by the attempted topic change. “Cormac was out in minutes, and we know Belis never made it through the arena. Who was the last one?”
“That other nocterrian, I think. I don’t remember their name.”
“Ah, yes, Dissidua. For the best, I think. I didn’t trust them. Don’t trust the other one, either.”
“Tenebris Nox? Careful there, Kitty Kat. You’re starting to sound eerily similar to our bigoted human friends out there.”
Kit scowled and launched one of her fluffy pillows neatly at Elyria’s head. “Not because I have anything against nocterrians, you lout.”
Elyria grinned as she caught the pillow and tucked it between her legs.
“I only meant...Honestly, I don’t even know. There’s just something off about them.” She paused. “They’ve been watching you.”
Elyria frowned. “Watching me?”
“I first noticed it in Castle Lumin. The two of them were hanging back, keeping to the shadows, and I was too mad at you to think much of it at the time. But now...I feel certain Nox has been keeping an eye on you.”
“I saw them back in Coralith,” Elyria admitted. “They were being held in the same jail as me.”
Kit’s eyebrows shot up at the mention of jail, but she said nothing.
“Perhaps they are simply eager to know my motivations for being here,” Elyria continued. “I confess I’m curious to know the same about them. I didn’t think nocterrians had much reason to brave the Arcane Crucible.” Her brow furrowed. Nocterrum wasn’t even part of the realm during Queen Daephinia’s rule. The mysterious island and its shadow-born people were barely impacted by the Shattering.
“Power is power,” Kit said. “It lures everyone.”
“Except you.” Elyria smiled at her. “Unlike the rest of these so-called champions, you’re not here because you dream of glory or long for the power of the crown. You’re here for Evander. And I’m here for you. Let the king decide what to do with the crown after you’ve won it.”
“Afterwe’vewon it, you mean, right?” Kit bit her bottom lip anxiously, and Elyria found herself longing to soothe away her worry. She hadn’t entered the Crucible only to become a source of angst for her friend. The last thing she wanted was to be a distraction.
“Right. And regarding our nocterrian friend, I’ll be careful,” she said, injecting confidence into the words even as she knew they were hollow. Careful didn’t exist in a place like this.
Kit simply nodded.
Elyria cleared her throat. “Any theories on what tomorrow might bring?”
“The next trial? Not a clue,” Kit replied. “Just that we’re one down, three to go.”
