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Hissing, I tried not to make more noise as my muscles burned, lighting my insides on fire.
Dallas jumped to his feet and rearranged the pillows behind me so I could lean back on them. When I finally got adjusted, he gave me a sad smile.
There was his nice side again.
“I think she’s fine now,” Orla snapped, her face turning pink. “You can sit down.”
“Of course, dear,” Dallas jeered, more like the cocky bastard I preferred.
Maeve brought the cup to my lips, and when I opened my mouth, the water hit. I groaned. The coolness eased my discomfort and washed away the grit of the dirt. Before I realized it, I’d downed the entire cup. I felt marginally better.
“I’m still waiting for an answer.” Orla tapped her foot.
I had no clue what she wanted from me, but not speaking wasn’t an option. “She needed help, and I couldn’t help collapsing. I’ve never been through that type of physical challenge before. Would you rather I had died?”
She nodded, shocking me.
“Of course.” She held out her hand. “You’re now the joke of Talamh. You saved someone you’re supposed to want dead. You made us look weak, and you were the last to cross the line. Then you fainted at the Winter King’s feet!”
Every value in this world seemed the opposite of mine. I was built to protect people, not kill them. This competition went against everything I stood for. “I didn’t ask to enter. You put me in this.” I wouldn’t let her blame me.
“I had no choice. You clearly aren’t fit to rule.” Orla’s chest heaved. “You aren’t even close to the sister I had before.”
“This isn’t accomplishing anything.” Dallas rolled his eyes. “We need to handle the situation, not argue about it. The solution is simple.”
“Oh, really.” Orla crossed her arms and pivoted to him. “And what’s that?”
“We say she tried to save Prince Nolan’s betrothed to put the royal Winter family in our debt.” Dallas flipped a hand. “Ta-da!”
Maeve tapped her finger on her lips. “That has merit.”
“Did you know about her and Prince Nolan?” Orla asked me.
Jumping up to block my view of Orla, Dallas pointed at me and said, “Don’t answer that. As far as we know, you did.” He positioned himself so he could glance back and forth between Orla and me. “Do you understand?”
“Fine.” Orla blew out a breath but narrowed her eyes at me. “But listen here—don’t embarrass me again.”
I didn’t say anything because that wasn’t something I could promise.
“Good. Don’t answer that either.” Dallas winked. “Orla and I are going downstairs while you get ready.”
“Ready?” I squeaked. I could barely breathe, let alone handle the second trial.
“For the celebration ball.” Orla tilted her head and smiled. “Take some medicine and make sure you don’t let anyone see the amount of pain you’re in.”
So that was why she was wearing a fancier golden dress than usual.
“Come on.” She held out her hand to Dallas. “We’ll see you down there.”
When the door shut, Maeve held my gaze and handed me a pink, frothy liquid. “Drink this and let’s get you ready.”
Getting dressed was just as bad as climbing the stalagmite, but the pink frothy drink worked wonders. Breathing didn’t hurt as much—the worst part was standing on shaky, exhausted legs.
“See, I do as well as your handmaiden.” Maeve chuckled.
I stared at myself in the bathroom mirror. The ends of my hair were so bright that they reminded me of sunlight. Maeve had curled my hair in waves down my back, and I was wearing the most gorgeous dress I’d ever seen with a deep, sweetheart neckline and flowy fabric decorated with pink flowers that resembled flames. My sleeves were sheer and flowy, and when I moved, they looked like wings, which was nice since mine were tucked securely in my back.
Everything about it screamed, not me.
