Was Emma’s mother the one who’d turned away my father’s love?
The crowd’s voices began to raise. It looked like a riot was forming. The High Priestess raised her hands. “Ladies and gentlemen, please,” she cried. “Save your accusations until after the King’s Contest is over.”
The crowd settled, though resentful eyes turned our way. “Emma, what’s going on?” I whispered under my breath as we left the arch.
“Tell you later.” Emma’s face was hard as stone. She knew exactly what the crowd was talking about. I figured it was best to trust her and ask questions after the ceremony was over.
Gabby and Elijah were after us. They way they proclaimed themselves to be mates was boastful and over the top, instead of sensitive and authentic like Emma and I. It made me feel sick. They were clearly loving all the attention.
After all the contestants had made their mating declarations, the High Priestess came forward and said, “Now each contestant will announce to which of the Seven Gods they pledge their loyalty. Albin, please come forward.”
Albin pledged himself to Vesna, the goddess of wisdom, while Krystyna chose Radek, the god of truth. The High Priestess worked her way down the line until it was once again Emma and I’s turn.
My knees shook as I approached the arch and kneeled before the priestess. Mine would be a controversial choice, but I’d made my decision long ago. This was what was right in my heart.
“Ethan Nowak, to which god do you align?” the priestess asked.
I proclaimed loudly, “I pledge myself to Luka. The Thief God.”
More shocked exclamations ran through the crowd, but I did my best to ignore them. No king had ever pledged themselves to Luka, the god of peasants, before. Most picked Tomir, the King of the Seven Gods. Emma and I were certainly causing a stir tonight. When I looked back at Emma, her eyes were narrowed, as if she was trying to figure something out.
The crowd booed as Emma made her way to the arch, but she kept her eyes fixed ahead as if their hatred didn’t bother her. She kneeled gracefully before the High Priestess and bowed her head.
“Tell me, my child,” the High Priestess said. “Which god do you pledge your life to?”
“I pledge myself to Milonna,” Emma said. “The goddess of love.”
That was a typical queen’s choice. It was probably the least controversial thing we’d done all night. Emma got up and made her way back to me. When she stood at my side, her body pressed against mine.
“Don’t let me fall,” she whispered. Her knees were wobbling from nervousness.
“Never.” I looped my arm around her waist and supported her weight. Her shaking ended as I tightened my grip around her.
I wanted to punch Elijah in the face as I watched him swagger up to the arch like he’d already been crowned king. He kneeled before the High Priestess, but only took one knee, not two.
A sign of disrespect if I ever saw one. He constantly spit in the face of our customs. Some king he’d make.
“Elijah, who do you swear your allegiance to?” the High Priestess asked.
“I swear myself to Droga,” Elijah said. “The Dark God.”
A unanimous gasp rose up among the crowd, and a bottomless pit formed in my stomach. I shouldn’t be surprised, but I was. Elijah had sworn himself to evil.
The crowd had backed away several paces from the stage, staring up at Elijah like he was some kind of curse. Never mind about Emma and I causing a ruckus. Elijah had totally stolen our spotlight and put it entirely on him. The King’s Contest was very interesting this year. Elijah rose to his feet, pleased at all the pale faces in the crowd.
The High Priestess gaped. “Are… are you quite sure?”
“Very,” Elijah replied. “Droga is the god I choose to serve.”
The High Priestess closed her mouth. “Very well,” she replied. “May the Seven Gods honor your decision.”
Elijah swept back to his spot on the stage. Several contestants moved away from him, as if they didn’t want to get too close. The only people who’d ever served Droga were users of dark magic. But it wasn’t illegal to pledge yourself to any god, and Elijah was well within his right to declare Droga his master.
At least Emma and I had a better chance now with the support of the people. The majority of them wouldn’t back up Elijah, with the choice of god he’d just made.
Gabby made the same choice. She pledged herself to Droga with a wide smile and giggles, like she was swearing her soul to a paradise instead of an evil being. Gabby sneered at Emma as she passed by, but Emma did her part of acting regal and kept a polite expression, though her hands bunched in her dress. I could tell she wanted to claw Gabby’s eyes out.
The High Priestess came forward and lifted her hands. “The contestants have made their declarations! Let us celebrate by beginning the festivities of the King’s Ball!”
