Page 83 of A Trial of Two Worlds
“But you didn’t claim her,” Anjani taunted.
I turned my gaze to Seamus’s second, my eyes blazing with hatred. “She’s mine,” I growled. “I should’ve killed you when I had the chance.”
Seamus smirked behind the safety of his queen’s throne. “Your mistake.”
“One I won’t make again.” I glared, doing everything in my power to keep the magic that I stored away quiet in my center.
“Enough,” Minaeve commanded.
“You’ve had your fun, cousin,” Seamus replied, glancing at Anjani as he stroked a hand along Minaeve’s chest.
Minaeve grinned wickedly. “Now, it’s time to celebrate. We’ve won.”
My eyes widened by a fraction, turning to look at the queen once more. The smile caressing her scarlet-painted lips sent a chill along my spine and twisted my stomach into knots.
“Rhett, bring forth the scroll,” Minaeve announced.
Like the loyal servant he was to the Aelius court, Rhett brought the scroll and unrolled it on the raised platform, displaying the enchanted parchment for all to view.
“As you can see, the third star is filled in,” Rhett announced, “which means the champion has completed the trial of the soul and has obtained the third and final key to unlock the Heart of Valdor!”
Cheers erupted from the throne room. My presence and the declaration of Skylar as my mate disappeared from the forefront of their minds.
I smiled to myself as the commotion of the throne room spilled over to Minaeve and Seamus. They descended the steps and joined the boisterous crowd behind me, wisely giving me a wide berth. Even the guards at my side were distracted, their watch on me slipping.
The celebration was so loud I almost missed the familiar presence gliding toward me. His dress coat was a dark shade of green with a hint of silver thread along the collar.
Silver, not gold.
“Excuse me,” a drunken male fae said to the guards as he looped his arm around one of them. He fumbled with the glass in his hand and threw it back, draining the contents. Once finished, he carelesslydropped it on the floor, and I watched as the golden chalice rolled near me along the bottom step.
“Gods. Get off me,” a guard grunted.
“I’ll be needing that, don’t you agree?” The male euphorically slapped a guard on the chest as he pushed forward, his steps faltering as he attempted to reach his fallen cup. To any onlooker in attendance here tonight, he was staggering in a drunken haze.
Except, he wasn’t.
The pine scent of my homeland was muffled, but still present. As the male bent to reach for his goblet, the guards turned away to scream their own cheers of delight, celebrating my mate’s victory. Celebrating and overlooking the male in front of me.
The silver in his hair was dyed brown to disguise his allegiance—clever. His dark eyes snapped open as he looked me over, quickly sobering as they met my stare.
Reece.
His hands discreetly moved to sign, “Be ready, my high prince. You’ll recognize the diversion when it’s time.” He paused and glanced at the guards, who were still distracted. “It’ll be hard to miss.”
I widened my eyes, trying not to draw any attention by scanning the room behind me.
Reece oversaw multiple types of trade in Silver Meadows, and recently, one item, in particular, was known to make a bang.
“Your job is to reach the scroll and head toward the shadows behind the throne. Zola will be waiting to shadow-jump you out of here,” Reece signed.
I nodded, motioning to the chains. There was nothing I could do with these gods-damned chains still on me.
Reece tripped over his feet and laughed aloud. The guards turned their attention to him for a moment, shaking their heads before looking away, convinced he was nothing more than a foolish, drunken guest of the Aelius court.
“Here.”Reece retrieved a small metal key from his jacket pocket and slid it along the floor.
Thank the Mother and Father.
