Page 59 of The Heart Trials

Something feral stirs in me, but a reply sticks in my throat.

“And ask that Grainfolk friend of yours about the lay of their land,” he adds. “Bring it to the meeting.”

“What meeting? When?”

But he walks away, and I realize my fists are clenched. He’s not a giver, he’s a taker. Probably a petty thief. Smuggling takes a certain charm, of which he has none.

The masses have settled. Several gossip under their breaths about Finn disappearing. Others stand in groups awkwardly. A few linger alone.

“We can’t let Finn ruin it for the rest of us,” Jace speaks up, running a hand over his slick bald head. I don’t know much about Jace other than that he was willing to help the other contestants, but I wonder what the Mercyenforcers wanted with him the other day. They searched Rhythe then too.

“He’s right.” Talia tucks a strand of blond hair behind her ear. Since he’s helped her up on the shore, I’ve seen them talk a little. A glance here or there, a passing comment.

“This is a competition,” he says, walking over to Talia. “Eat with me. I want to hear about your village. And what kind of life you’d like to have as a Skyborn.”

Every eye in the place is on them.

She twirls her hair around her finger and Jace reacts, smiling. His smile makes Talia smile.

“You’re nice. But, no, I want to talk to him.” She points across the room at Caelus, who is sliding bread into his mouth. Some people glance in my direction. But Caelus takes another bite, ignoring them.

“You don’t want a prince,” Jace says. “They’re more trouble than they’re worth. Besides, you’re going to need to meet all of us, to make sure you get your best match, right?”

Talia’s mouth curves into a sly smirk. “Mmm, yes, you make a good point.” She follows him to a small bench shrouded in a hedge of roses. They sit close, bare arms touching.

The arena erupts with chatter, others pairing off, retreating to secluded corners of the arena. Mae still sits alone, tending her wounds. I look for Dorian but see Orrick, Stick Boy, hovering behind Lira, as if he’s trying to work up the courage to interrupt her conversation, suggesting he is here to win too. Maybe the first trial shook some urgency into him. It shook some urgency into us all.

If being in love can actually make you stronger, there should be urgency.

But I don’t believe anything the Benevolent says.

Several who pair off walk together but noticeably apart. Others are more daring, touching fingers immediately. One couple is even holding hands already.

“The clock is ticking.” Ivy, Wraith Girl, sneaks up behind me, refilling her glass. She lingers like she wants to say more, and I notice her salt-drenched skin. Saltblood skin.

“Ticking until what?” I ask.

Her eyes are so pale they look silver. She slinks off to sit by Rhythe, who hasn’t moved from the fire. She hugs her knees, sitting closer to him than I think he likes. But when he glances over at her, he doesn’t get up or move away.

“Axira?” It’s Kade, his chest glowing faintly. “Could we talk?”

Veteran Kade isn’t here for love. There’s no way. But I still need to pick someone. I can at least start with a conversation.

“Sure,” I say.

“I found these cards in the basket.” He pulls the deck from behind his back. He’s more awkward than I expected. He tosses his blond bangs backward, and a tattoo of the Benevolent’s face flexes on his arm. “I guess we are supposed to ask the questions on them to get to know each other.”

“Alright.” I knot my fingers, following him to a small table flickering with candlelight. On the table are two small glass bottles of Scents like the ones in my room. Authorized Scent No. 6—Allure. Authorized Scent No. 3—Calm. Kade grabs the calm one and sprays it on himself. His lashes bat quickly, his eyes squinting like just before a violent sneeze.

“I’ve already ruined my chances with you probably,” he says. “I’m sure you don’t want to deal with horrific allergies for the rest of your life.”

I smile tightly.

“That was supposed to be a joke.” He clears his throat, the pupils of his irises dilating. He exhales audibly, sinking back into his seat, and I realize the spray is already taking effect. He throws an elbow over the back of his chair, much more relaxed.

I grab one of the cards. It’s about kissing. I discard it immediately. The next one has questions about our family. Next. This one is about if we could do any kind of work on the island, anything in the world, what would it be? No. Too personal. I shuffle them and grab a random one, hoping for something that isn’t too embarrassing to share. But this card wants us to tell each other about the last time we wanted to cry and why. Absolutely not. Nope, no, not at all.

I put the stack down and rack my brain for a question instead. But the more I stare at him, the only thing I want to know is why he would come here. What is he after?