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He smirked.
That reaction was good enough for me. “Two.” My stomach clenched, and my heart pounded against my rib cage. I hoped I wasn’t making a horrible decision. “Three.”
We stepped away from each other and lowered our weapons. After all the grandstanding, I’d suspected he would step back, but I didn’t trust him or anyone else here, for that matter, including my sister.
I hiked up my skirt and slid the weapon back in place while the king sheathed his sword. When both of us were settled, he held out the handkerchief again.
I considered snubbing him, but I really did want to wipe off the spit and now the blood. I reached for the cloth, our fingers almost touching, and he dropped the handkerchief and shuffled quickly away, desperate not to touch me.
I caught the handkerchief before it could hit the floor, then straightened, body taut, and allowed my words to drip with sarcasm. “Tha?—”
“Princess Alina,” Maeve interjected, her tone tense.
I flinched. She’d saved me from saying thanks. That was almost the second time I’d made the mistake today. If Kieran didn’t kill me soon, Maeve would for my carelessness.
“Shouldn’t you clean yourself?” she added. “Before you meet the others.”
“No, please.” King Kieran lifted a hand and stepped toward me. “Finish what you were going to say.”
I raised his handkerchief. “That’s clean, right?” Maybe not the smoothest transition, but it could be what I’d been about to say.
“Of course. Only the best for a princess,” he said warmly, but I didn’t miss the ice in his eyes.
“Perfect.” I looked down, ready to wipe the spit away, then noticed blue liquid slowly dripping down my chest. My mouth tasted sour as I quickly wiped it and the spit away, not wanting to think about what the color meant.
“Easy,” Maeve said, moving in front of me. She took the handkerchief and dabbed my neck. “You don’t want to prevent your blood from clotting.”
The world tilted under my feet, and I used Maeve’s shoulder for balance. This couldn’t be happening.
“Is something wrong?” Eamon asked with concern. “Did King Kieran poison his blade?”
“Don’t be a hothead.” King Kieran crossed his arms. “The tournament hasn’t even officially started. I wouldn’t cheat.”
“You Winter fae think you’re above the law.” Orla strolled over and examined my wound. “Especially when you currently have a majority on the High Court. Not that you will for long. You’re just lucky that it’s in your favor. Otherwise, we wouldn’t have accepted you as a substitute for Prince Nolan.”
“Anyone from the royal line can enter,” Quinley said as she sashayed over to stand by King Kieran. “He arrived before any other competitors joined us and made a last-minute change because of unforeseen circumstances. I’m not saying I agree with the change. The substitute should have been Princess Brianne, but the decision is ultimately his to make.”
I was so sick of the bickering. Anytime these two sides came together, it was one pissing match after another. They were so focused on presenting themselves as more important or powerful than the other that nothing got accomplished. Politics here were just as convoluted as back on Earth.
“After being spat on and wounded, I’d love to get settled and bathed and into fresh clothes.” I felt dirty, and I’d also love some time alone. I’d never been around people like this for so long.
Orla relaxed as if I’d said something right. “That’s an excellent idea. We all need to go outside and ensure our people have listened then go back to our castles so the public knows all the competitors are situated and won’t be seen until tomorrow.”
“Since Prince Nolan can’t be here, Leanna and I can handle it.” Caden beamed, looking thrilled to be able to wield more power.
King Kieran nodded. “That’s fine. Just get them to disperse. We don’t need anything else to happen before the trial begins.”
Lowering her hand from my neck, Maeve nodded toward the golden stairway. “Let’s go to your room, and I’ll check it one more time since we’ve all been distracted.”
“Under the circumstances, we’ll allow it, but after this check, she’s on her own.” Quinley tossed her hair over her shoulder.
I hadn’t even considered that I might be rooming with other competitors. I was definitely relieved to learn I’d have the nights to myself.
“Understood.” Maeve clutched the handkerchief and strode to the stairs. “I won’t be longer than a few minutes.”
Orla threw her arms around me and pulled me into a hug. She murmured, “Be safe, sister.”
The gesture must have appeared sincere because Kaley placed a hand over her heart, but I wasn’t fooled. Orla’s arms were stiff, and I knew this game. I’d been raised by people who’d pretended to care about me in front of others when it benefited them.
