She lifted her index finger. “I’m going to say one last thing about this Talon business. There are plenty of women here who are extraordinarily beautiful. Me, for example.”
“I wish you weren’t so insecure,” I deadpanned, setting my tankard on the ground and then nudging it beneath my chair with my foot.
“He has dallied with some of them, but he’s never shown interest in them. You, though? He might watch you because he was told to, but he looks intrigued at times. Seems reluctantly impressed by how you don’t hesitate when it comes to Xalbia. Then he starts scowling, seeming unhappy with himself for feeling that way. You have his attention, whether either of you like it or not; whether you’re willing to act on it or not.”
Maybe. But it didn’t matter, did it? Because, as I’d already pointed out, he would only ever commit to Eva. I didn’t say as much, though, because we were right then joined by the rest of our group.
More drinking, talking, and laughing went on. I enjoyed every moment, but my lethargy eventually got the better of me. I stood and said, “Right, I’m done for the night.”
Jelani’s brow pinched. “You’re leaving already?”
“I need sleep in a major way.” I exchanged goodbyes with everyone, weakly waving.
“I’ll walk you to the stables,” Jelani declared. “I still don’t trust the other candidates not to do something stupid.”
Though I highly doubted anyone would choose to do anything right this moment, I didn’t turn down the offer. It wouldn’t be good to become complacent. “Okay. Thank you.”
We both began a slow walk to the stables, edging through the crowds of people. I didn’tmeanfor my gaze to cut to Talon—it just happened. His eyes were bouncing from me to Jelani. Eyes that narrowed almost … dangerously.
Too tired to ponder on it, I looked away.
Jelani nudged me with his elbow as we past the courtyard. “So, how did today’s test rank in terms of worst test ever?”
“The highest it could possibly have ranked,” I muttered.
Using only stepping stones, we’d each had to reach a golden egg. Stones that werein the sky, well above the river within the city walls. And yes, some people fell. I had almost been one of them, having not quite timed a particular jump right. But I’d managed to catch my balance and then finally reached the egg, which I’d had to carry back with me. If a candidate dropped the egg, they failed the test.
Really, the purpose of making you carry something so smooth that had no handles was simple: It meant that you couldn’t use your arms for balance.
The result of failing the test, whether by falling into the river or dropping the egg? You repeated the test. And you kept on repeating it until you passed or you cried foul.
The reward of passing? There was none. Except that it was over. But that truly had felt like a reward, because the whole thing had been horrible.
I generally had no issue with heights. But standingso highin the air on stones that were only wide enough to fit your feet on? Yeah, that could make a person feel dizzy and anxious.
Pushing the memories aside, I spared Jelani a glance. “So, when are you going to stop pretending that you don’t want Layna so badly it’s driving you nuts?”
His step faltered, and he let out a heavy breath. “I hear enough of this from Quillen and Soule.”
“They don’t like seeing you hold back. And why would you? As Khalida likes to point out, a lot of danger comes with being an officiate. At the risk of sounding morbid … you don’t know that you definitely have the time you seem to think you should take before you act on what you want.”
He flicked me a sideways look, his expression pensive. “I’m thinking I should feel hurt that you’re pushing me toward another woman.”
I smiled. “You and I do not want the same things. But we’re friends, right? Friends give advice to each other.”
“And meddle in their business?”
“And meddle in their business.”
His mouth curved. “Yeah, friends for sure.”
I gave a satisfied nod. “Now stop being a coward and go after Layna.”
“Hey, I’m no coward.”
“Prove it,” I dared.
Halting as we reached the stables, he shot me a frown of mock annoyance. “Good night. I’ll see you tomorrow at some point.”
