Page 16 of The Crown of the Dark Prince
It was as if no one truly lived here, which only made it seem more like Kent.
“I still can’t believe you went between his legs.” Rankor shook his head as he bit into his turkey leg. “That isnotwhat I taught you.”
“Yes, well, I’m sure you weren’t the only one disappointed in that maneuver.” I shrugged, leaning forward across the wooden table to grab the pitcher of ice water and fill my glass as I thought of my awkward conversation with Clay after my second trial.
“Still,” Kent said, taking the pitcher from me after I finished. “You’ve completed two of the three trials already. How are you feeling?”
I thought over his words, letting them sit heavily in my mind. HowwasI feeling about it? Truthfully, it all felt a bit rushed. I’d spent a year knowing that the trials were coming, and then in the weeks after Camilla’s imprisonment, my training had intensified tenfold. I’d spent every day of the past two months studying, training, and practicing for hours upon hours.
I’d had plenty of time to come to terms with what was waiting for me on the other side of the trials, but I still hadn’t.
“I suppose I’m just focused on getting through the magic trial.”
Rankor whistled through his teeth. “I do not envy you having to go through that.”
I frowned. The magic trial was the one I knew the least about. Ryla helped me build my control over my powers, but only told me the magic trial wouldn’t be announced in advance. The trial’s surprise element would test my ability to use my powers spontaneously.
“What do you mean?” I asked with a frown.
“Clay’s magic trial was brutal," Rankor said, wiping his hands and mouth with a napkin. "They tested his human form too. Chained him with iron and locked him in a burning building. He’s fireproof, of course, but he had to break the chains and get out before the building collapsed on him. Then the second he got out, one of Ciclopia’s beasts was waiting for him. He had barely a second to recover, shift into his dragon form, and fight.”
My heart clenched just atimagininghim in that kind of danger.
Kent nodded as Rankor told the story. “He nearly lost a wing in the process.”
“And then there was Clara’s son,” Rankor continued, spearing a roasted carrot with his fork.
Kent’s attention suddenly snapped to Rankor, and he slapped him sharply on the shoulder. “Don’t tell her that!”
“Tell me what?”
The two men looked at me with matching sheepish expressions, forcing me to repeat my question.
Kent sighed heavily. “A few years ago, Clara’s son was set to take over her seat on the Council. Everyone thought it was guaranteed, but for his trial, they abandoned him in the middle of a desert. He died three days later.”
Gods. I gasped, stomach falling so suddenly that I had to clutch my belly to be sure that it was still there. On some level, I knew the trials could be fatal but to actually hear how easily they could end lives...
“But don’t worry!” Rankor cried, holding his hands out towards me. “You’re like terrifyingly powerful. I’m sure you’ll do great.”
I’m not sure if that was the kind of compliment he thought it was. I pushed away my plate, suddenly losing my appetite.
For the next half hour, I let them carry the conversation while my thoughts lingered on Clara and her son.
The Dragon wouldn’t design a trial that could kill me, though?
He needed me to complete the Council. I was too valuable.
Right?
Unless...
Unless he’d saw Clay and I sneak off during my celebration dinner.
He’d made it very clear that he would prioritize his bloodline over a complete Council.
Oh, Gods.
My stomach churned, my skin prickling with cold.The room suddenly felt too small, too loud,my own heartbeat pounding in my ears.
