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I forced myself not to react, as if they’d just told me about the weather.
To my right, Kieran’s fingers tapped gently on his legs again. He wasn’t happy either, and that reassured me.
The two High Court members watched Kieran and me, and after a moment, Kaley spun around and knocked on the door before opening it.
A circular maze made of thick green brush and vines wove through the middle of the arena floor. Stone stairways led to the earthen floor of the area. The place was lit with sunlight so bright that it had to be magnified, though I wasn’t sure how.
“Let’s begin!” Kaley flipped her hair and pointed at me. “Please, Princess Alina, follow me first. Since we’re Summer, we’ll enter before the Winter competitors.”
Everything inside me demanded I say something to Kieran, but I swallowed hard and moved ahead. I needed to at least pretend to be confident.
My legs were so leaden they must have doubled in weight in the last few minutes. I stepped forward, the urge to kiss Kieran one last time damn near making me spin and do exactly that. There was no way I was getting out of this alive. I’d be stuck on my own with Curry and his gang. They’d attack me as soon as we started.
The crowd jumped to its feet, and the loud boos began. At the last trial, I’d had some supporters, but this time, every single person wanted me dead. I’d not only embarrassed my sister but the entire Summer Court by trying to save Ginevra.
They can all suck my left toe.
Ginevra might not have survived, but at least she had died without traumatizing fear. That had to count for something other than me being a complete and utter failure.
Curry walked close behind me, and I expected him to push me down the stairs. That seemed like something he’d do. Maybe, in this instance, he wanted to make sure he killed me viciously in front of everyone.
Halfway down, the crowd members closest to me spat at the stairs as if their feelings about me weren’t already clear. The worst part was that they were dressed in Summer colors of blues, pinks, yellows, and oranges. My people.
I straightened my back, refusing to cower. When I died today, I would with my pride.
On the dirt floor, my boots kicked up dust while Kaley seemed to glide over it. The heat of the sun poured over us. I looked skyward, noting the glass overhead as it nearly blinded me. It had to be magnifying the sun from outside.
Sweat pooled underneath my low ponytail, and I faced straight ahead as dots blurred my vision. I didn’t understand the point of the maze. We could all fly over it.
No doubt they had something in place to debilitate us, like the nightmare mist from the previous trial.
The brush and vines of the maze stood twenty feet tall, making me feel extremely small. A cutout about midway down the maze appeared, and Kaley stopped. “Everyone, spread out here.”
The chants of the crowd blended together, and only one word stood out.
Die!
I loved starting a bloodthirsty trial on such a positive note.
Kaley faced the entrance to the maze. Moire and Curry flanked me.
Turning my head, I watched as the last of the Winter fae stepped off the stairs. It wouldn’t be long until they were in position.
From the corner where we stood, Quinley stepped forward, wearing a burgundy dress that contrasted with the light of the arena. “As the oldest High Court member, it’s again my duty to inform all of you spectators and contestants about what this trial represents. The High Court attends to the concerns of both the Winter and Summer Courts to bridge the differences between our people. The best way to do that is to seek a new member who can survive the harshness of both winter and summer. The last trial frosted out those who couldn’t rise above winter. This one will show us who can thrive without melting down in the heat of summer.”
Eamon stepped forward with the magic lute in hand. The sunlight revealed lighter blue highlights in his hair, and he wore a green suit, likely as a tribute to summer. “In this trial, there is one simple rule: no flying. Anyone who flies will be killed immediately without honor, bringing shame to their court and the realm.” He looked directly at me and added, “Not that it matters to some of you.”
Laughter erupted from the stands, proving me wrong once again. I’d thought I’d rather hear anything but the boos, but laughter directed at me had just taken the top spot.
Even Quinley smiled.
Oh well. Who’d said I couldn’t bring people together? I’d bet before today, no one would’ve thought that Winter and Summer would laugh over the same thing. At least I’d accomplished that before I died.
“Though the next note isn’t a rule, it’s something to remember.” Quinley rubbed her hands together and paused for dramatic purposes. “If you don’t reach the center of the maze by sunset, you’ll be locked in overnight, and we’ve retrieved night screamers from the wildlands to end your life.”
Moire gasped and inched closer to me.
I glanced at her, my brows furrowing, and whispered, “What is that?”
