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Following my gaze, Kieran didn’t flinch. Instead, he turned and scooted me into the spot between himself and Rowan.
I waited for my anger at him manhandling me to surface, but it didn’t.
What the fuck is wrong with me?
I’d never let anyone fight my battles before, and I sure as hell wouldn’t start now. Finally, the anger I’d hoped for came swirling into me, and I channeled it toward Kieran, not wanting to consider that I might be more mad at myself than at him.
“You’re in my spot,” I said loudly, the commanding tone from the night of the ball seeping into my voice.
Kieran cut his eyes at me. Though he had a blank expression, the past several days of training with him had taught me to read him better. When he was pretending he didn’t care, he had a tell.
He tapped his fingers on his leg. Barely any movement, just enough for me to notice.
My heart ached. I didn’t like that I’d upset him, but if I didn’t stand up for myself, it would make things worse between me and the other contestants.
In fairness, they were already planning to kill me.
Still, I didn’t want them to view me as weak. I took his hand, the buzz springing to life, and tugged him back to his spot. At first, his feet held strong, but I softened my expression, begging him to yield without saying the words.
He moved back to his place between me and Rowan. I didn’t want to draw more attention to us, so I stood tall and stared straight ahead.
Kaley laughed a little too loudly. “With whatever that was behind us, let’s move on with the trial.”
The two women walked in front of us without a sound.
Odd.
When Kaley moved to stand in front of me and Leanna stopped in front of Kieran, I looked at the floor. Their bare toes peeked from the hems of their dresses.
They were barefoot, not in heels. That was why we hadn’t heard them.
Kaley clasped her hands. “The last tournament was inspired by the terrain of Deigh Mountain of the Winter Court. Today’s trial will embrace the terrain of the Summer Court!”
Loud groans came from the Winter side while Curry, Lesli, and Mackenna snickered.
“During the last trial, five Winter fae died.” Leanna grimaced. “That proves that the people from a particular court may not be strong enough to endure their own elements.”
The fact disgusted her. She wasn’t even trying to hide it.
“I hope the competitors of the Summer Court won’t succumb to similar issues in this trial, especially since the winner of the last trial is entering the maze as I speak.” Kaley started with Moire and gave each of us a long stare before stopping at me. “Even with a head start and their royal bloodline, some of us might be too untrained to survive, but we shall see.”
She’d just given me the middle finger, or what I suspected was the fae equivalent, reminding me of Southern parents threatening their kids with a whoopin’.
Kieran grunted and curled his upper lip, revealing the top row of his white teeth.
Never in my life had I found that expression sexy, but dammit, it was now right up there with the vision of him rolling up his sleeves the other day. I wanted to bite his bottom lip and taste him all over again.
Whoa. Down, girl.
I was about to fight for my life and face whatever hell the High Court thought would be entertaining, and here I was thinking I wanted to jump Kieran?
This was why I’d been determined to stay away from him.
“When the door opens, the five Winter Court members will follow me.” Leanna gestured to her left.
Kaley then gestured to her right. “And I will guide the Summer Court members.”
A lump formed in my throat. They were splitting us up. Of course. I should’ve known that our alliance wouldn’t work. That would’ve boded too well for me.
