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Maeve threw her arms around me and whispered, “I believe in you. You’re strong and a warrior. You’ll win this.”
At least one of us had faith. I was certain I’d plummet to my death.
“Now, Princess,” Caden spat. He hadn’t been rude to King Kieran, but he was his king.
Rolling my eyes, I channeled my annoyance into determination and prepared to meet my fate.
If I was going out, it was damn well going to be in a blaze of glory. I’d channel Bon Jovi and ensure I went down epically. After all, I knew all the words to that song since it was one of Stan’s favorites to blare during training.
“Iv—Alina,” Maeve called, her voice louder than normal.
For some reason, her showing her own nerves eased some of my worry. I wouldn’t be letting her down by dying if she expected it.
Forcing my face to be expressionless, I spun around.
“Don’t trust him.” Maeve pointed at the door.
My brows furrowed. “Caden? Oh god, no. Don’t worry.”
“No. King Kieran.” Maeve rubbed her arms. “He won’t hesitate to hurt you. Trust me.” She bit her bottom lip in a nervous tic.
There was something behind that statement, and I hated that I might not ever learn the full story, but the sincerity swirling from her had me nodding. “Understood.”
Caden cleared his throat, and I suspected it would be mere seconds before he lost his shit. Part of me wanted to see it, but I had no doubt it would only screw me over more.
“I’ll see you at the end.” Somehow, I’d kept my voice light.
At the door, I noticed it had a small inset window. Through it, I saw Quinley and Eamon standing at the edge of a flat stone platform. Summer Fae stood to the right of Eamon and Winter fae to the left of Quinley. King Kieran stood closest to her, which meant I probably would stand in the same spot by Eamon.
The door opened, and half the stadium screamed, “Alina!” while the other half booed. The surrealness of the situation washed over me.
I’m going down in a blaze of glory, I sang in my head as I strode out the door.
Bullies wanted to see your fear. I wouldn’t succumb to these assholes.
“Not only has Princess Alina been reincarnated after saving the entire kingdom, but she has agreed to represent the royal bloodline of the Summer Court!” Eamon’s voice boomed without a microphone as if amplified by magic.
I scanned the crowd, noticing that the fae dressed in fall and wintery oranges, frosty blues and purples, and dark golds were on the left side, and the spring and summery people in greens, bright yellows, and other colors that reminded me of summer were to the right. Even in the stadium, there was a clear divide, and the significance wasn’t lost on me.
Despite all the chaos, my head turned to him.
King Kieran had already homed in on me. His still body resembled a chiseled statue. Though he seemed confident and sure, I could feel the stress radiating from him.
Every cell within my body blazed, and I wanted to stand next to him. The irrational urge to be close to him nearly overpowered my mind.
He mouthed, Move, and nodded to Curry. Be smart.
“Princess Alina,” Quinley murmured, her lips tight with disapproval. “Take your spot. You’re going to make a spectacle of yourself … again.”
I was standing frozen in the center between both sides, but luckily, Eamon kept talking, so I hurried to my spot beside Curry.
“What was that about?” Curry asked, his eyebrows raised.
I refused to acknowledge him and stared at the obstacle course. The arena was gigantic—at least twice the size of a football stadium, and above and below were all sharp edges. Luckily, the pieces I’d have to climb on were only about three feet apart. I’d been worried the gaps would be farther.
When Kill! was chanted over and over, I zapped back into the moment. All the fae faces were lit with joy as if this was the best thing they’d ever experienced.
“The competitor who reaches the end of the course with the most crystals collected from the top of the arena ceiling between the icicle pieces will get an early start on the next trial.” Quinley raised her hands, pointing at the sharp stalactites, which weren’t even two feet apart. They’d have to slide between those to get the crystals.
