I was doubly glad I had refused her offer. One night without sleep and a throbbing foot was bad enough; I did not need to withstand a week of starvation as well.
"Be sure to tell Byron I refused your offer, he doesn't like me much," I told her. It was reckless, but I felt a lit bit braver now that I hadn't fallen for her hoax.
Commander Nyx's eyes crinkled. "He doesn't like me much either, but his methods work. Have no fear, apprentice, I'll make sure to put in a good word… What is your name?"
"Ryiah."
"Well, Ryiah, welcome to Ferren's Keep."
****
In the next couple of days, three more Combat apprentices went a week without meals as our training got more intense and they caved to Nyx and Byron's scheme. I had been delighted, at first, to find out Radley was one of them. But then he became more nasty than usual and it was even harder to resist casting him off the steep forest backdrop behind us. I became so consumed with fighting off my growing dislike for my mentee that I almost forgot about Darren.
Until the afternoon I ran into him and Priscilla arguing quietly outside the men's barracks. The girl was clutching a letter in one hand and brandishing her fist with the other. I heard her shout "Shina" before I turned heel and left. I didn't want to hear anything else. I didn't need to.
When I ran into Darren later that day I avoided his gaze. I was sad and upset, and I wasn't sure which one was worse. Depressed that I still wasn't over him? Or angry that I really hadn't known him at all?
For a while last year, I had entertained the notion that maybe the prince did care. I'd told myself his father forbade him. Threatened his life even. Poor Darren, he'd had no choice in the matter. He loved me, but he'd been powerless to stop his family.
But that dream had not reconciled with his words at the Academy and the fight on the night of Ian's ascension ceremony. Darren hadn't been afraid to disobey the king then. No, he had openly fought for the princess he wanted and tried to make himself his father's heir. That Darren was fearless, and not the least influenced by what his vile family said.
Seeing Darren's letter from Princess Shinako only made the truth that much worse.
Between drills, weekly visits to see Derrick, the occasional armory chore, and all the extra arm-strengthening lessons I could manage, I quickly lost all track of time. I didn't really lose track of Darren, but then again that had never been an option.
As much as I might wish it were.
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
"I second Eve."
"Darren."
"I also vote for Eve, she did a great job in Devon."
"Eve for me."
"I nominate Ryiah."
At that I gave Ella a grateful smile. I knew our fifth year was critical, I knew what it would say if we lost, but I really, really wanted a chance to try. And this was my last year to do it.
"I second Ryiah." Ray gave me a rueful smile, perhaps to make up for voting for Eve the year before.
"Well, I vote for Darren," Priscilla said shrilly. "I will not follow a lowborn."
"We vote with Priscilla. We want the prince." Merrick and Radley made no attempt to sound partial.
"Ryiah," Alex and all four of his comrades spoke at once. I grinned. Restoration's pride wasn't at stake the way it was for Combat so the fifth-years in his faction were more open to change.
"Ryiah. Give the poor girl a chance. If she wants to risk commanding this year, it will be her fate on the line if we lose. All of us know Byron will blame her anyway." Ruth winked at me from her circle of Alchemy mentors.
The rest of the class spoke out. Eve made a bold move and took herself out, voting for me in a pleasant twist of fate. Darren and I were tied… it came down to a third-year boy in Alchemy.
I stood tall. "You should vote for me because everyone deserves a chance. That's how we all became apprentices, isn't it? We were allowed to try… So you should let me try." I smiled sweetly and the boy blushed. Beat that, Darren!
Darren stepped forward and said loudly, "You shouldn't pick Ryiah because she's lowborn and reckless-"
I made a choking sound.
"-And did you hear why the Academy's armory had to be rebuilt the year before you started? That was because Ryiah made a rash decision that brought the whole thing down and almost killed herself and Ray here. The only reason she didn't lose was because he was able to save them. If she does that this time, who knows what will happen?"
I broke free of Ella's hold. I didn't even care that all of the mentors' eyes were upon me. I was done trying to ignore the prince.
I would not let Darren sabotage another part of my life.
"You and me," I growled, "duel. Pain casting. Now. Let's see which one of us has more control then."
"You know I would win," Darren shot back, "and at least I didn't resort to petty flirtation to sway someone's vote!"
"Flirtation is hardly the same as insult!"
"It's not an insult if it's true."
"You called me lowborn and reckless!" I put my hands on my hips.
Darren raised a brow. "Well, you were born in Demsh'aa and that decision was reckless."
"You know exactly what you were implying, Darren, don't you dare try to-"