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He’s promised to someone else, I reminded myself.
Obviously, you haven’t been with the right person, I teased, but the joke fell flat. I hadn’t meant to take a dig at him like that. I’m sorry. I just meant?—
It’s fair and true. He smiled sadly. But I am determined to rectify that. His gaze went to my mark, and the coolness pulsed through me.
There was a knock on the arena door, and Eamon and Caden marched to it. “The time has come.” Eamon sounded jolly.
My stomach roiled.
Everything will happen as it should. Kieran brushed his hand against mine as we walked behind everyone else to the door. Fate must know what she’s doing.
I almost laughed until the doors opened … and I stared into a dense forest. We’d be fighting each other, but knowing the High Court as I now did, I knew there would be something extra. Leanna was likely releasing something terrible from the cells in the basement.
As if conjured by my thought, monster after monster flapped its wings, flying over the trees.
Chapter Twenty-Nine
With a head that resembled an old, grouchy, balding man from Earth, a body covered in reddish fur in the shape of a lion, a tail that was long and scorpion-like, and leathery wings, there was no doubt what these monsters were.
Manticores.
They were some of the most vicious creatures in this realm, and there were only three ways to kill them: behead them, which was damn near impossible with their claws and razor-sharp teeth; strike them through their sensitive stomachs, which was about as likely as beheading them; or burn them to death because their skin and fur were highly flammable.
Only two competitors might have firepower—Curry and me. I had magic linked to the trees, flowers, and plants, while he was more attuned to controlling water.
That must be why the High Court had chosen the manticores. None of us naturally had an easy way to kill them.
Stay beside me, Kieran’s voice popped into my head. No matter what. His fear slammed into me, chilling me further.
My heart did a quick pitter-patter. He sounded as if he still wanted to protect me, and that wasn’t wise. Not here in the final trial of the Comortas. It was kill or be killed, and our fated-mate connection would make this trial damn near impossible for us … and perhaps get us both killed. But even if I’d wanted to, I wouldn’t separate from him, especially when he’d made it clear that he wanted me near. Okay, I will.
There was no way either of us could win. Even if one of us was the last one standing, the cost would be too high. My stomach gurgled, and I wished I hadn’t eaten that frigid piece of bread.
Everything will be fine. Kieran brushed my hand as we walked past Eamon and Caden. Caden held the door on the left, Kieran’s side, and Eamon the one on the right. Eamon’s brows furrowed as if he’d noticed Kieran’s touch, but when his eyes met mine, I lifted my head in challenge. I refused to be questioned about my choices, especially when I was facing my death.
He had enough sense to glance away.
As we stepped into the arena, I fought the urge to cover my ears. The audience was loud and unruly, their various chants blending into a chaotic roar. They knew four of us would die today and a “winner” would be decided, so watching us battle each other and these almost indestructible monsters would be the highlight of their lives for who knew how long.
The seats were packed, with even little ones in attendance, despite the ten monsters flying overhead. As we stepped onto the platform, I tensed, preparing to fight for my life so I could live and entertain the audience, but the manticores didn’t seem to notice any of us.
I noted a slight shimmer in the air where the steps went down to the trees. The five of us would be safe until we descended. They must have performed the same illusion spell on the audience; otherwise, the manticores wouldn’t have been oblivious to everyone’s presence.
Kaley came to my side. “Princess Alina, I’m glad to see you are yourself once more.” She smiled and placed a hand on my shoulder. “Now you have a real chance at winning this trial.”
I lifted a brow, trying to hide my annoyance. “Even without all my memories, I made it through the first two trials. Maybe you should remember that.” My voice held a slight edge. I wanted to punch her and put her in her place, but that would accomplish nothing. Once again, my younger and more reactive side and my first incarnation were at odds, but instead of resorting to violence, which I’d soon have my fill of, I clenched my hands into fists.
Her mouth dropped open, and her cheeks turned a shade of pink. “Yes, Your Highness.”
Quinley cleared her throat, and her voice boomed, echoing off the massive walls of the arena. “Today is the final day where the strongest fae of Talamh will take a seat on the High Court. The manticores will continuously attack, and the competitors won’t be able to leave the center until only one remains alive. Until then, they will fight one another as well as the manticores.”
Lovely. That pitted us against each other even more.
I hated everything this competition stood for.
In the front, Curry, Rowan, and the silent Winter man stood as still as statues. I didn’t have to see their faces to know that concern, if not fear, was there. Most of us hadn’t seen these beasts, but we’d all heard the stories handed down over the complete cycles. They lived in the wildest part of the wildlands. Mother had given me a book that contained pictures and information about all the animals in Terrea.
Leanna leaned into Kieran, and I took a step toward the gorgeous woman, ready to grab her by the nape of her neck and yank her away from him. No one but me was allowed that close to him.
