Even if he didn’t say please, I would have listened to his request. And even though we have slept in the same bed for a while now, we did not touch each other before.
I do not move as his strong arms wrap me tightly and drag me into him.
We wake up in the same position we fell asleep in. His arms hold me tightly as I lie against his bare chest. I am not sure that he intended for me to lay there the whole night, so I try to shove out of his grip bit by bit. He mumbles something, but it comes out as grumble. He repeats himself clearer as I furrow my brows.
“Stay.”
I freeze against him in his grip as I let his words sink in. He softly trusts his hips against me, only pulling me closer. The memories crash back in, and I can feel my ears turn red. It has been a twisted night, that is for sure.
The door opens and a male appears in the opening. We sit straight up looking at the figure.
Da.
He crosses his fingers in front of his eyes.
“Oh manes, please let me erase this image.” He chuckles and does an emergency prayer as he watches us. As I step out of bed, his face turns serious again.
“I am sorry to wake you, but it is time.”
I look at him confused, standing in front of him. I hear Braxton getting dressed behind me. Da puts his hand on me and I smile at him, but his lips are pressed together. He repeats his words for me, and I watch closely.
“It is time for the third trial.”
Chapter 29
Braxton
The nine of us walk into the big open space. My eyes wide as I scan the arena. It is nothing like I have ever seen before, and I don’t think this trial will be the same either. The only way I could describe this room is like the auditorium of the king, but then ten times bigger. There must be over 2000 seats. We are standing in the inner circle that is covered in cobble stones, while the king’s small auditorium has more of a podium and there are seats on only one side. Here, the seats follow the curves of the arena. My brother is leading our group like we are some tourists.
Luckily, Fintan woke Eliane and me early so we had time to change into our fighting leathers and get some weapons, not knowing what’s next. Eliane looks around amazed before she turns to me.
“Why didn’t you tell me about this place?” she asks. The place has pillars all around and bright light shines from everywhere, with the stone inner circle as a target. We follow the group and I answer, putting my hand in my pockets, but holding my chin high.
“I didn’t know this place existed.” I shrug. She cocks her head in surprise, but continues to follow everyone, strolling towards her friend Kailey.
“Where do those bruises come from?” Kailey asks worriedly, reminding me of the horror I put Eliane through last night. I point my ears to hear her answer, but I get distracted. Caleb slows his pace, coming shoulder to shoulder to me, clapping me on the back.
“Hey mate, at least Gwen is not bothering us anymore. Heard she can’t enter because of her failing the previous one,” he jokes. I try to force a grin, but it must have looked more like a grimace. “This place is insane, do you have any idea what is going to happen?” he asks. I shake my head to answer. He is also wearing fighting leathers, but not everyone is. Hazel wears her normal clothes and so does Ethan. I stop as everyone circles around Zephron. It is the first time I see him after Mom. I think it is fair to say it is actually the first time since this trial I have really looked at him. My brother has stubbles all over his chin and his dark hair is wild. He has something in his eyes I didn’t catch before. Something like a contradiction. He looks messed up, eyes red and droopy, eyebags so purple they look like bruises. He still looks like a royalty though, way more than me that’s for sure. Not a single tattoo covers his body for as far as I can see, while mine is covered in a mix of doodles and art. As he turns around the circle the only moment the corner of his mouth lifts is when he reaches Hazel. A blush cracks on her face as he shows his teeth to her. I am standing next to her and that makes me next in the circle. His gaze meets mine and I nod my head. It is the first kind of contact we make in a while.
“This is where the third trial will take place,” he announces, holding his arms wide. “There will be people watching from here.” He clicks on a button on a controller and a white screen rolls down. It is as huge as this place, and I would fit in it over100 times. “The king and audience will watch through your eyes and mind again. You will drink a new potion before the trial starts, that will sharpen your view.” He nods towards a guard standing behind him, handing us all a potion. “The trial starts in two hours, so the potion will have time to work, to rework.” He looks down to his shoes before he speaks up again. “In this trial you will take a seat in the chair standing under the screen. One of our people will slip into your mind and let you and your duo experience your biggest nightmare.”
He coughs, and his eyes meet mine. He holds my gaze for a moment before continuing, like he already knows what my nightmare will be about. “You will have to find your way out. The duo who does this the fastest wins.”
And that is all we get.
Eliane walks over to me and cheers her potion towards mine. We both knock them back at once.
Being backstage while being ready doesn’t help with the nerves. We can hear the people walking in and the audience becoming louder.
“How are we going to get out of there?” Eliane states. She bows to grab a sword and hands it over to me. I am not even sure she has all her powers back. I really hope so. She will be okay if she doesn’t, though. She is fierce, with or without her signet. Her eyes aren’t as shimmery as normal, and darkness seems to have replaced the light, just like mine. Like she is ready to fight. I take my jaw between my fingers as I take the swords from her. She puts more daggers on her body, under her belts that cover her fighting leathers.
“I am not sure,” I answer, my mind spinning a 100 miles per hour. Her eyes wide, but she covers it fast and starts braiding her hair into a waterfall braid. Caleb hurries towards mybrother behind Eliane, and I sharpen my ears hoping I will pick something up over their conversations.
“Can we die in there? Can other people die? Or is it just an illusion?” Caleb asks. A fair question to be honest. All my brother does is give him a nod and clap him on the shoulder. My gaze switches back to Eliane as she studies my face, tightening her belts.
“What can I expect?”
She pushes her shoulders back, stepping close to me.
