By the time evening rolled around, I was so exhausted I could barely stand. But after seven hours under Matron Olsander’s tutelage, despite my embarrassing failures and inability to control my affinities, I’d at least learned how to find my magic inside me, bring it forward, and utilize my Outlets while forming a weak Shield. Granted, I hadn’t mastered the amazing skills I’d witnessed in the others, but I could see why Matron Olsander was the royal’s tutor. The female knew her stuff, and her affinity made her unparalleled in her ability to teach a fairy.
I stumbled toward the training room’s door, my legs wobbling since at one point, Matron Olsander had made me stand on a balance beam twenty feet in the air. It was only fear of dying every time she pushed me that had called my air elemental affinity to the rescue, completely baffling me as to how it happened.
But she said that was to be expected. After she quizzed me on what I knew of my magic, it hadn’t been that shocking to finally understand why it had manifested during Vorl’s attack. Apparently, when a fairy feared for their life, affinities came running. In other words, as much as I hated my village’s archon, it was actually Vorl that had been the catalyst to my manifesting.
As for why it’d taken so long for them to show at all and why Vorl’s previous attacks hadn’t initiated them earlier, I didn’t know, but Matron Olsander thought it was related to my black hair. For some reason, that neither she nor the queen knew, our affinities bloomed late because of our unusual genetics.
Maybe someday, after this idiotic Trial was over and the continent’s crops were thriving again, I could dig into the history books to try to understand why I looked the way I did. But until then . . .
I refused to look toward Prince Norivun when I exited the training room. Lady Endalaver had spent the entire afternoon with him, and even though I repeatedly told myself that I didn’t care and that it was for the best if she wove her manipulative spell around him, I couldn’t stop the ache in my chest.
So stupid, Ilara. Just forget that kiss and your ridiculous attraction to him. He’s the crown prince, and you’re merely a pawn in the court’s arsenal.
I forced my chin up and stepped into the wide stone walkway. Scents of food being prepared in the kitchens filled the air. My stomach growled in appreciation. Down the hall, Sandus waited next to a huge statue of the God Xerious. The guard had his hands on his hips, a pleasant smile on his face.
I was about to join him when a soft female voice said from behind me, “You looked like you made progress today, Lady Seary.”
I turned to see Lady Meegana Ockson. Since she was an inch shorter than me, I gazed slightly down at her soft smile and curious eyes. A genuine feeling of warmth radiated from her.
Some of the tension in my shoulders eased. Even though I didn’t know her, there was something about Lady Ockson that reminded me of Birnee from back home, even though my village friend had wings so delicate it was a miracle they could carry her. Meegana’s wings looked strong and sturdy despite her small form.
I shrugged. “Maybe, but I’m nothing like the rest of you, Lady Ockson.” I waved sheepishly toward the training room, where shouts of fun and peals of laughter were still coming from the others.
She took a step closer to me, and a waft of either her perfume or her natural scent hit me. She smelled citrusy. It was a scent that reminded me of my mother.
Smiling, she said, “Please, call me Meegana. I always feel like I should be looking for my mother whenever I hear Lady Ockson.”
“Okay, Meegana.” I smiled tentatively in return. “In that case, please call me Ilara or Lara, whatever you prefer.”
“Lara it is.” Meegana’s lips curved more. “Is it true the prince found you while you were working in a Mervalee field last month?”
“It’s true.”
“And I was told that your affinities only just manifested in the past few weeks, and that with your—” She blushed when she glanced toward my black hair and wingless back. “I’m so sorry. I’m being nosey and curious, but I mean no disrespect. Truly.”
The stiffness that had been creeping between my shoulder blades abated, since her apology sounded sincere, but I still wished that Cailis was waiting with Sandus. Since my sister’s affinity was truth, she’d be able to tell me in a heartbeat if Meegana was being genuine.
“It’s all right,” I finally settled with. “My entire life, everyone’s been curious about me.” I waved toward my hair and bare back. “But I suppose I’d rather have my affinities manifest late than continue having none at all.”
Meegana laid a hand on my arm. “You would have been worthy either way.” She squeezed my arm lightly before giving me another small smile and returning to the training room.
I watched her until she rounded the corner, my brow furrowing, because for the briefest moment, I’d felt that she’d actually meant that statement. That Lady Ockson truly felt all fae, even defectives, were worthy of love.
Sandus and I strolled outside as we walked back to my chambers. Three moons shone in the sky, and the evening air swirled around us. I’d asked him if we could take the long way back to my chambers since I needed a moment to clear my head.
I’d seen and done so much today, but apart from my brief trip to the Harrivee field that morning, I’d been inside all day. Since I typically worked in the fields, staying inside wasn’t something I was used to and definitely wasn’t what I preferred.
“You did well this afternoon,” Sandus said, nudging me.
I inhaled the crisp air and shrugged. “I’m not sure if I agree with you. The other females and the males are all so powerful. I can tell that all of them have more than one affinity.”
“That’s why they’re in the Trial and are being considered as husbands for you all.”
I stopped and faced him. “Wait . . . those males with Nuwin are who the king’s considering we be married off to?”
“They are.”
“How do you know that?”
He gave me a cocky smile, the corner of his mouth lifting, making his beard appear fuzzy. “Royal fae often forget when guards are near. They tend to loosen their tongues and speak freely.”
“What did you hear?”
He cocked his head. “During a break this afternoon, the prince had words with his father. He’s not happy that you’re to also date other males in the Trial.”
My heart rate ticked up. “And? Was he able to put a stop to it? Will I no longer have to marry another if I lose?”
“He was not. You’re to be courted by all of the males in the Trial, and you’re still to marry who the king chooses for you at the end.”
My breaths came faster. “So it’s decided then? There’s no way out of this?”
Sandus’s eyes softened. “I’m sorry, Ilara. The Olirum Accords stand unless the king changes his mind.”
My breath stuttered out of me, puttering and dying until it felt as if all of the air had been ripped from my lungs. Even the crown prince hadn’t been able to stop the will of the king. So it was official. There was no deviation from my fate. I’d have to escape with Cailis unless I wanted to fall prey to an arranged marriage.
Sandus patted my shoulder good-naturedly, oblivious to the cataclysmic response that was taking place inside me. “Look on the bright side, love. You could be Nori’s wife one day.”
“That’s the bright side?”
“Indeed.”