Determination filling me, I pushed to my feet and stretched. Hay bales didn’t make the comfiest of beds, but I suspected that I’d gotten a better sleep here than I would have in the tent surrounded by the other candidates.
I did a little bending to work the kinks out of my back, listening to the sounds of Talon pottering around. A gentle neigh flitted through the air, making my mouth curve. The cacophony of noises that could be heard in stables and barns honestly calmed my soul.
Neighs. Snorts. Tail-swishes. Hoof stomps. Canine yips and barks. The crunch of straw. Adding to them was the bird song coming from outside.
Equally comforting were the scents of leather, hay, shavings, tack, and sweet feed that laced the air.
A bolt slid open, hinges creaked, and then a clicking sound caught my attention. Because it came from Talon. Okay, you couldn’t dothatif you were missing a tongue, could you?
Then again … he was a dragon in human form. He could probably do all kinds of stuff.
I nabbed my sack from the corner and began crossing to the doorway. On exploring the stable block last night, I’d noticed a basin in the feed room, which also had an attached garderobe. I had plans to use it.
I made my way out of the tack room just in time to see Talon guiding his horse out of a stable. “Do you have a tongue?” I blurted out.Oh, hell.
He halted, his head very slowly swinging my way as his brows slid together.
Flushing, I swiped out a hand. “Sorry. Ignore me. I’m still half-asleep.” Turning, I swiftly took refuge in the feed room, silently cursing myself for being an absolute idiot.
I locked the door and eagerly shed my gown and undergarments,so gladto finally get out of them. Once I’d taken care of all my personal needs, I donned my fresh outfit and gathered my curls into a ponytail. The tunic and breeches fit fine, but I wasn’t crazy about the stiff material.
Talon was gone when I vacated the room, and I saw that two stables were now empty. I guessed that he either worked with the animals or just liked to take the horses out to graze in the mornings.
After I dumped my old clothes in the garbage container, I returned to the tack room. There, I righted the hay bales andtossed my sack into the corner out of the way. Once done, I strode out of the stables and began making my way to the food hall.
Nearing the courtyard, I felt my brow crease as I noticed that dozens of chairs now bordered it. In front of each seat was a bucket.
Huh.
Just then, Khalida came walking out of the candidates’ tent. Her gaze zipped to me, and some tension slipped from her shoulders. “I was looking for you.”
“I decided to sleep elsewhere,” I told her. “Wasn’t fond of the vibe in the tent.”
“It was probably a good call.”
“Have you eaten yet? I was just about to get breakfast before … What? Why are you pulling that face?”
She rubbed at her nape. “I wouldn’t recommending eating. Not yet.”
I frowned. “Why?”
She bit down on her lower lip. “I’m not allowed to give you any hints of what’s coming when it relates to Xalbia—it’s strictly forbidden. But I can recommend that you don’t eat yet. So don’t.”
I eyed her curiously. “Oookay.”
She slapped my back. “Good decision.”
Before I got the chance to wonder what might lie ahead, movement in my peripheral vision snagged my attention. I turned to see Ajax and two other officiates stalking toward the courtyard. Not long later, Talon joined the three males and let out a loud-as-hell whistle.
“Candidates, gather round,” Ajax called out.
“Good luck,” whispered Khalida.
“Yeah, thanks,” I mumbled before making my way to the nearest chair. I planted myself behind it, just as the other candidates did behind whatever seat they chose.
Many officiates also congregated around the area, but none came too close. It was clear that they intended to observe.
As not all of the candidates were outside yet, it took a few minutes before they were all in position. Some were pale and nervous, their shoulders almost up to their ears. Others stood tall, their chins up, anticipation cloaking them—which included Seneca, Atticus, and Bevan. Then there were those who were rolling their shoulders and cricking their necks, looking like they were inwardly trying to psyche themselves up.
