I nearly choke on my scoff at the thought of the future Enforcer teaching me manners. His eyes skim over my ear before he takes a step away, slipping his hands into his pockets. “You should get that healed up before the interviews tomorrow,” he says casually, nodding to my wound. “We wouldn’t want Blair’s mark on you to scar.”
The sudden bite in those words has me stunned for a moment as I study him in the growing silence. “No,” I finally manage, “we wouldn’t want that.”
His gaze sweeps over me again before he turns, tossing a smirk over his shoulder. “Good luck tomorrow, Gray.”
I don’t bother fighting my smile. “If I had any manners, I would wish you luck as well, prince. But you already informed me that I don’t.”
He laughs, and the sound snakes down my spine as he continues to stride away. Without him to distract me, my ear stings furiously as I begin my trek back to the castle with one thought occupying me.
He never answered my question.
Chapter Fourteen
Paedyn
The cool steel of my father’s ring does little to comfort me as I spin it on my thumb.
Gentle fingers are gliding through my hair, pinning and pulling at the messy strands. Between Ellie’s soothing touches and the plush vanity bench I’m currently slumped on, my drooping eyelids threaten to pull me back into restless sleep despite my reeling mind. Ellie must see the worry and weariness written all over my face because she offers me a sympathetic smile in the mirror. “How are you feeling? You know, about the interviews?”
The constant spinning of my ring never slows though my nerves never calm. “Well, I have no idea what to expect. And if it goes poorly...” I trail off as Ellie nods at me in the mirror, not needing me to finish that thought.
“Don’t overthink it. You’ll be fine,” she assures while continuing to pin up my hair. “Besides, the people can’t stop talking about the Silver Savior.”
The Silver Savior.
I nearly laugh at the name I’ve been bestowed. If they really knew why I was able to stop the Silencer, they wouldn’t be calling me a savior anymore. In fact, they wouldn’t be calling me anything, because I would just become another dead Ordinary who doesn’t deserve a name, a title, a memory.
An elegant low bun sits at the nape of my neck when Ellie finishes, sparkling pins holding it in place while silver ringlets surround my powdered face and darkened lashes.
After much deliberation, we settle on a sleeveless, light blue dress. Elegant, but not too flashy. “You’ll want to make a good impression, and I think this one will do the trick,” Ellie says with a smile. As soon as I’ve slipped into it, I’m being dragged over to the mirror so Ellie can admire her handiwork. Between the hair, makeup, and blue gown hugging my body, I almost look like I belong here. Like I haven’t been sleeping on the streets for the past five years of my life.
A knock on the door startles me enough to stop staring at my reflection. “You ready in there?”
Lenny is waiting outside the door when Ellie pushes me into the hallway, sneaking a shy glance at him before retreating into my room. He gives me an easy smile before leading us back to the main, massive doors of the castle and into the sunbathed courtyard beyond.
We’re not alone. Most of the other contestants are tensely milling about while the rest slowly file out of the castle. Soon, Imperials are shuffling by, joining the group of us standing idly.
“What’s going on?” I breathe to Lenny, still standing beside me.
“We,” he gestures to his fellow Imperials, “are escorting you all to the Bowl.”
My eyes drift to the looming structure sitting innocently nearby. I’d never been to any of the contestant’s interviews before, so I’ve never had the pleasure of packing into the arena stands alongside thousands of other Ilyans. It’s been granted its unoriginal name due to the sloping, bowl-like shape of the large stadium that I never thought I’d step foot in.
The group sets an easy pace as we make our way to the Bowl, Imperials flanking us on all sides. It’s less than a mile from the palace, and I’m completely content to study my surroundings as we walk the gravel path. Twisted, drooping trees loom over us, oddly enchanting with the way the sun streams through their leaves to cast the ground beneath them in dappled light. Vibrant white and light pink flowers dot the branches while several of them flutter down, scattering the path with petals.
I let myself fall to the back of the group, watching my competition as they stride in front of me. All the boys wear some variation of slim pants and colored button-downs while the girls wear sleek but simple dresses.
Braxton and Sadie speak in hushed tones with hesitant smiles, while Andy keeps sticking out her foot to catch Jax’s ankle, sending him stumbling while she snickers. My eyes sweep to Hera, quiet as she looks around in awe at the tunnel of trees enclosing the path. Ace, on the other hand, has his nose so high in the air that I doubt he can even see what’s in front of him.
Finally, my gaze trails to the two tall figures striding at the front of the group. Kitt and Kai chuckle quietly, a seemingly common occurrence when the two of them are together. Once again, the future king blends in with the contestants, making me briefly wonder if he wishes he was a part of these twisted Trials.
Blair wedges herself between the two brothers, laughing at something one of them said. Both her lilac hair and shimmery navy dress gleam in the sun, giving the illusion of a constant spotlight following her. She uses any excuse to touch the boys, making her anything but subtle. She knows what she wants, and it’s clear that it is one of them. I almost admire her resilience.
I walk quietly while watching the pink petals fall from the trees, drifting to the ground on a gentle breeze—
“I see you found something to wear.”
The deep voice beside me makes me jump, and I curse under my breath at the sudden sight of the future king beside me. He’s chuckling at the stunned look on my face, and I fight the urge to shove him for startling me like that. I take a deep breath before meeting his green gaze, the color matching the leaves hanging above us—matching the color of his father’s eyes.
The king’s eyes.
The sudden realization has me faltering. I force myself to swallow my disgust towards this man and the corrupt kingdom he will rule in his father’s likeness. Taking a deep breath, I remind myself to be civil, polite.
Play the part.
“Yes, but I can’t take all the credit.” I look down at my light blue dress, billowing in the soft breeze. “I have Ellie to thank for this.”
“Ah, yes.” The future king’s grin is teasing, startling me. “Ellie, the maid you insisted you didn’t need?”
“That’s the one,” I reply dryly. “You know, I thought she liked me, but it seems she wants to torture me with these shoes.” I can already feel my feet beginning to blister in the too-tight, strappy saddles Ellie insisted I wear.
He laughs again, a bright and contagious sound that manages to make me uneasy. “I don’t envy you or the blisters you’ll likely have.” A small smile curves his lips as he gestures to me. “But it suits you nonetheless.”