Moving from the tunnel, I step out into the open arena. It takes a moment for my eyes to adjust to the blinding sun, but when they do, my breath hitches, but only for a moment.
I’ve seen the inside of this arena many times before, but never once from this point of view. The first trial was held on the outskirts of the village, the obstacle course the trial coordinators createdstretching for miles. And for the second trial, we take the test in the village capitol.
Only the third trials are held in the arena, and since I was fifteen years old, I’ve watched from the stands, sitting amongst the other villagers as we collectively held our breath, watching as the horrors of the trial unfolded before our eyes.
Somehow, being down here with my feet touching the sand and countless eyes onme, it feelsdifferent. More daunting.
Row upon white row, stretching to the sky, an arena that could sittens of thousands.Not that it would ever need to with our village population topping out at less than fourteen thousand.
So many seats are empty. They’ll remain empty, and I can’t help but wonder what this arena used to look like over a century ago when every seat was filled. What would they gather here for?
Celebration and games?
Truegames, not the kind that end in death.
The kind that will be taking place far too soon.
I scan the crowd, trying not to look at the countless Enforcers lining the edge of the pit—which is what they call the place where I now stand—protecting the perimeter to ensure not a single contestant is able to escape.
Instead, I search for the people who believe in me, who want to see me succeed.
There’s so much commotion in the arena, those in my same year funneling out of the tunnels, moving closer to the center, but I search for my parents, for Jax, needing to see them, tofeel them.
My eyes land on the place where royalty always sits. Separated from the rest of the villagers, on the only balcony in the arena, high above the crowd, facing the north side.
In all honesty, I’ve never so much as glanced at it before, never wishing to lay eyes on the people I hated with my whole heart and soul.
I see the king first, but of course, he’s not looking at me. He’s speaking to a man dressed in royal red. His wife, however, is speaking to no one. Her eyes roam the sky, like she’s searching the heavens for something. With her brows weaved together, she purses her lips, as if she can’t find whatever it is she’s looking for.
They’ve been traveling the country for nearly a month now. Twenty-eight days, to be exact.
When I hadmetthem in the throne room, it was the same day the third trial for Village 1 occurred. They must have left the palace not long after my sentencing. Village 1 isn’t very far from where the Imperial City sits.
Then, they would have set off for Village 2, followed by 3 and so on.
And now here they are, inmyvillage.
But Jax isn’t with them. My eyes narrow as I continue to scan the stands.
I spin, and finally, my gaze locks on his.
He’s standing, arms crossed, face firm. But he’s looking at me.
Only at me.
And I’m grateful for it, but then my eyes focus on the people sitting next to him. There’s Theo, of course, throwing me a cocky grin and bow of the head, but on the other side sitsmy parents.
Jax is sitting with my parents.
My heart flutters, and I can’t imagine what they must be thinking having the prince of Velegoria at their side.
Their eyes catch on mine, a small smile breaching both of their lips. They’re holding onto each other, much like how they were when we reunited not long ago.
I bring my hand to my necklace, holding up the pendant my mother believes will keep me safe. It’s a silent gesture. I need them to know that I have this. That I will not fail.
Out of the corner of my eye, I glimpse red hair, and I already know who it belongs to.
Norin.
