Kitt slings an arm around Jax’s shoulders before nodding at each of the girls. “Blair. Sadie.”
Sadie offers us a small smile, genuine but reserved in the way she’s always been. “I wanted to congratulate you two on making it into the Trials.”
Right. They announced the contestants today.
It’s no surprise that I’m in the Trials. The kingdom and I have been aware of my fate since I was a young boy. The future Enforcer must prove himself, and the Trials force me to do just that. My next mission is the win the competition, and if I don’t—
I freeze, Sadie’s words finally sinking in.
“I wanted to congratulate you two...”
I throw a confused glance at Kitt, certain this must be some sort of mistake. The Trials have always been my fate, not his. The future king rarely stepped outside the castle walls, let alone into a bloody arena where Death could claim him. Father would never risk the life of his heir like that, but he certainly has no problem risking me and my reputation.
“Yes, at least two of the brothers will get to be together,” Blair says with a smirk, her eyes flicking from me to—
No. Not him.
“W-what?”
His voice is filled with awe, his brown eyes wide with wonder.
Jax.
He looks between Kitt and I, a smile spreading across his face. “I did it! I’m in the Trials!” He’s practically jumping off the ground in excitement, resisting the urge to Blink around the rings out of excitement. I meet Kitt’s gaze, and his knowing frown matches my own.
This is going to make the Trials far more difficult. Now, I’ll not only be protecting myself, but also a little brother who nearly faints at the sight of blood.
But we say nothing to discourage Jax, pasting on smiles to replace the frowns pulling at our faces. Competing in the Trials is a high honor that only few are granted, and Jax deserves to celebrate despite our sudden stress over the situation.
“Well, it looks like we are all rivals now,” Blair says with a smirk, letting her words sink in. Not a very sly way to inform us that both herself and Sadie will also be competing.
We all stare at each other, Sadie silent and Blair smirking. Kitt clears his throat, cutting into the conversation. “Do you know who else is competing?”
Sadie nods, pulling a crinkled flier from one of her pockets. Kitt skims the names quickly before sighing. “Yep. There are only three names I don’t recognize. Must be Defensive or Mundanes from the city.”
He hands me the flier, and I quickly scan the list.
My eyes snag on a particular arrangement of letters before my breath snags in my throat.
There, at the bottom of the list, lies a name I’ve thought of far more than I care to admit.
It’s her.
Chapter Ten
Paedyn
I might have stood there for hours, gawking up at the banner displaying my name in giant letters, if not for the mass of people gawking at me.
They chose me.
Or in other words, they chose me to die.
And all because I saved that prick of a prince.
A tap on my shoulder shakes me from my stupor.
I stiffen at the sudden smell of starch and heave a sigh before turning slowly to face the Imperial. He’s young. My eyes flick between his messy red hair and brown eyes boring into mine, completely unbothered by my obvious disdain for his kind. He offers me a small, shy smile.
Unsettling.
In all my years, I have never met a kind Imperial, and I doubt he is the exception.
“You’re Paedyn Gray, correct?” He gestures to the sign above us with a wave of his hand.
“Who wants to know?” I blurt.
“Er,” he rubs the back of his neck, “the king? I’m here to escort you to the palace where you will be staying until the Trials are over.”
The unspoken words hang in the air between us. Or until you die.
“Now? Right now?” I hate how high and breathless my voice sounds, but I can’t stop the panic rising up my throat. “But the Trials don’t begin for another two weeks.”
He almost looks apologetic, and I hate it. “The contestants always head to the palace two weeks in advance for training, interviews, and of course, the first ball.”
How could I forget how showy the Trials are?
His head whips around, red hair rippling like flames as he searches to see if anyone is watching. Then he leans in slightly, his next words a murmur. “I can only give you about...hmm, five minutes or so before we have to leave.”
I don’t hesitate before bounding down the street as fast as my legs can carry me.
Adena.
I skid to a stop in front of our little alley and swallow the lump in my throat at the sight of her tucked behind the Fort, humming while she sews. I take it all in as I stride towards her. Every piece of garbage we scavenged together to keep us warm at night. Every scrap of clothing piled beside her as she works. Every curly piece of hair escaping the messy bun at the nape of her neck. Her dark brows furrowed over hazel eyes in concentration.
Will I ever see her again?
I try to push the thought from my head as I sink to the ground and pull her into a crushing hug. She gasps in surprise before quickly discarding her work and squeezing me tight. “Happy to see you too?” She laughs into my hair and pulls away, concerned by my sudden show of affection. “Are you...okay?”
I meet her eyes, memorizing the specks of gold flecking them. “I’m leaving, A.”
“W-what?” The look on her face is equally scared and skeptical.
“They are sending me into the Trials. The people want me there, apparently.” I’m rambling. “For entertainment purposes, of course.” I offer her a weak smile, but nothing can stop the look of horror from spreading across her face.
She brings a soft, brown hand to her mouth as she breathes, “Oh, Pae...” She trails off, not knowing what to say, what to do. “But you...You don’t have an ability—”
“It’s gonna be alright,” I say, trying to convince her as well as myself. “I’ll be—”
“Don’t you dare say you’ll be fine,” she huffs as anger temporarily swallows her fear. “Pae, the Trials are deadly enough, but if they find out about what you aren’t they will—”
“Kill me,” I finish for her. “I know.” The fear floods back into Adena’s eyes, crashing into her so hard I worry she may crumble. A sad, small smile lifts my lips as I take her in. I’m leaving the only person who knows me, the only person I can truly trust. She’s been a constant in my life, an anchor that I’ll be drifting without.
But this is for the best. It’s safer for her without me here.
“I can do this,” I say softly. “I was made to do this.”
Adena nods numbly, knowing this already. Knowing how my father began training me when it became apparent to him that his little girl was an Ordinary doomed for death.