Hales and Thornes don’t mix.
–Common Vallennan saying
From what Kara had overheard, no other team had managed to reach all their villagers. Several had come back with burns so severe that Arcalon Healers were rushing between beds, treating them. A Navyrian man from Team Three was the worst. He’d suffered deep burns across his arm, chest and even part of his face. Kara had been very lucky to have had Sebastian on her team. That beam would’ve done more than burn. It would have killed her. Sebastian had stolen to a corner of the tent the moment they’d entered together and wrapped his hands himself. Thoroughly. Methodically. As if it mattered. He hadn’t needed to do it; they were healed enough. But he was hiding what she’d done.
It stung, but she understood.
Thornes didn’t use healing magic. Well, they weren’t supposed to. But she could still feel the echo of his crimson in hers–
Stop thinking about him.
It took far more effort than it should have, but she pushed all thoughts of Sebastian Thorne from her mind.
Not long after, all four teams, some looking worse than others, were called back in front of the Council. They entered the arena at sunset to a crowd on their feet, cheering and applauding, waving a rainbow of House banners down at them. The fire had now been fully extinguished, though the arena floor was blackened and scorched. Four podiums had been placed directly below the Council’s box, one for each team. Her mother was beaming in the front row, holding her Hale flag high. Siennastood on her left, smiling widely towards a group of purple-clad Lyrans. Sebastian climbed up on her right. He stood so close that his bandaged hand brushed hers. For one mad second, she wanted to reach for him – then remembered all the reasons that was a terrible idea. Kara kept her eyes forward. He was staring straight ahead too. But a moment later she felt his eyes on her, and she couldn’t help herself – she looked up. There it was again. That traitorous fluttering in her stomach. She turned away fast.
Gods. Don’t let him see.
“Competitors,” the judge said, her voice clear and commanding, “You have completed the four trials of the Arcalon. You have shown courage, unity, and strength. You have brought honour to your Houses.”
Her words were met with thunderous applause. She waited, then raised her hands again.
“Some–” Her gaze fell on Kara’s team. “–exceeded every expectation.”
Kara’s heart leapt. Did that mean they’d scored well? Had they won?
“And now for the scores,” the judge announced as she turned to the large Caldris enchanted scoreboard behind her. A quill floated, ready to write at the judge’s command.
“In fourth place, with seven points – is Team One.”
Polite applause followed, but their team’s devastation was clear. Their Sorrel candidate was crying again, the grief for her lost teammate plain on her face.
“In third place, with eight points – is Team Three.”
A slightly louder applause this time.
“In second place, with ten points – Team Two.”
Henry smiled out at the crowd, but it didn’t reach his eyes.
We won.
“And in first place, with an impressive total of thirteen points – Team Four.”
The arena erupted.
Kara blinked once, staring at the numbers in front of her.
1st Place – Team Four – 13 points
2nd Place – Team Two – 10 points
3rd Place – Team Three – 8 points
4th Place – Team One – 7 points
Sienna threw her arms around her. Gregor shouted something that sounded like a battle cry. Jax let out a wild whoop. Morra was laughing.When Sienna released her to hug an unwilling Oryen instead, Kara turned to Sebastian, breathless and unsure. The roar of the crowd melted away – it was just the two of them.
“Well done, Kara,” he said.
