Another nod, met this time by a squeal from Alyss.
“This iseverything! You deserve a good guy. You deserve happiness.” She twirled and flopped back on the bed, giving Eira a dazzling smile.
Eira chuckled softly and squeezed her friend’s hand. “Thanks. So do you.”
“Unlike you, I’ve never doubted that. I’ve just had trouble finding said ‘good guy.’” Alyss stuck out her tongue, prompting Eira to roll her eyes.
“Well, now that you know, and you’re dressed, let’s go to breakfast. I want time to eat before this training—whatever it is—starts.”
“You’re right, we should.”
They headed for the door and Eira paused. “One more thing.”
“What?”
“Cullen and I… We’re keeping it a secret for now,” Eira said.
Alyss let out another squeal, grabbed both of Eira’s hands, and jumped up and down with excitement.
“What has you so excited?”
“This is exactly like the plot of one of my favorite novels.”
“It is not.”
“Yes, it is,” Alyss insisted. “Two competitors in a foreign land, embarking on a quest for glory, danger lurking behind every corner, the fate of nations hanging in the balance, an evil to vanquish, and a secret romance on top of it all! Okay, you’re right, it’s not exactly like one of my favorite novels. It’sbetter.”
Eira rolled her eyes. “Fine. Just, keep it a secret for now?”
“You know you can trust me.” Alyss slung her bag over her shoulder. “Oh, do you know his favorite animal?”
“Um, no, why?”
“I’m going to make him something.” Alyss patted her bag. “As a thank you for being interested in you.”
“You make me sound like a charity case.” Eira cringed.
“You said it, not me.”
“How dare you!” Eira said with mock offense. “That’s it, I’m leaving.”
“Not without me!” Alyss squeezed through the door at her side. It was too small for them both and they stumbled through with a fit of giggles.
“Never,” Eira wheezed. Her face hurt from smiling so much. “Never without you.”
* * *
Breakfast went well, as far as Eira was concerned. The sight of Cullen filled her with effervescent excitement that threatened to bubble over at any second. They exchanged small glances and smiles, as though conversing in a new language all their own. Every movement he made held weight now. The tilts of his head, the arches of his brows, the way his eyes scrunched slightly when he laughed…Eira had permission to enjoy them all in a way she’d never let herself before.
When the competitors were finished eating, servants entered to clear away the remaining platters of food, all directed by Mistress Harrot. Guards trudged down the stairs in a pack that parted to make way for Deneya. She wore her usual plate of the queen’s knights, and her palm rested lightly on the pommel of her sword.
“Finish up, wash up if you need to, and meet in the front gardens in ten minutes,” she declared. “We’ll head to the training arena as a group.”
Levit had instructed them the night before to dress in their competitor regalia, so the four of them didn’t have much to do but wait. Most of the other competitors went off to change, returning in an array of attire. The morphi wore fitted clothing with lightweight leather armor on top. The elfin were in looser styles of flowing silken robes and layered chiffons that were clearly inspired by Lumeria. Those from the Republic of Qwint looked the most like their Solaris counterparts in simple leggings and utilitarian tunics emblazoned in the green, blue, and white of their nation’s checkered flag. The draconi were the most different, scantily clad in tight leather clothing, their tough and almost scale-like skin on display.
The competitors were arranged in four columns, each nation having its own row. Soldiers flanked them on both sides and behind. Deneya led at the front with knights on either side of her. They were escorted out the gates and into the city, met instantly by applause and cheers.
“This must be the parade we were promised when we first arrived,” Cullen murmured.
