39
There was no time the next morning to get to Olivin or Ducot. Everything moved at a blistering speed. Horns blasting woke them, earlier than the other days, it felt like.
“Can you believe it’s the final day?” Noelle called from across the hall.
“Last day of waking up early,” Alyss grumbled from her room.
Eira said nothing, quickly dressing and speeding downstairs. She kept the rock in her pocket even though it would do little good to anyone but her. It wasn’t as if she could put the echoes in the minds of others. Still, it felt like some kind of proof and it pressing against her thigh was a reminder that she had much to do. She had to see if she could find Deneya.
“You’re ready quickly.” Cullen was still smoothing his hair from bed.
Eira stopped in her tracks. The feeling of Olivin’s mouth on hers was sharp in her mind. She swallowed thickly, a twinge of guilt trying to worm its way into her. “I could say the same for you.”
It only took one second from the moment he looked at her properly for him to sense something was wrong. His expression became grave. He crossed the gap between them. “What is it? What’s wrong?”
“I have to get to Deneya or the princess as quickly as possible.” That was the most important thing. “I don’t have time to explain but there’s something I need to tell them.”
“Then let’s go.” Cullen was at her side in an instant. He didn’t second-guess her. Taking her by the hand, he led her out the door and into the sunlight. “We’ll go to the portcullis and find an attendant. I’m certain I could get word to my father and then—”
It was too late. The attendants were already in the center of the village, lining up the other competitors. Eira’s heart sank.
“We’ll find them.” He squeezed her fingers.
“Cullen, your hand.” Eira tried to pull away. He held fast.
“I—I want to walk in with you on the final day.” The words were a bit forced, as if they took all his bravery to say.
“I don’t think this is the time to risk it,” Eira said softly, glancing around. Qwint was already lining up.
“If not now, then when? I want everyone to see—”
“I appreciate what you’re trying to do,” Eira said quickly. “I really do.” It was certainly more of a grand gesture than he’d managed for weeks. “But this isn’t the time. I think the Pillars are going to attack tomorrow.”
“What?” His voice dropped to a hush with hers. “Why?”
“An echo—Why I had to get to Deneya,” she whispered hastily as they started toward the line. “Let’s just get through the next two days and then we’ll sort ourselves out, please.”
He nodded. Eira was relieved he seemed to understand as his fingers unraveled. She didn’t know if Lavette had seen and, in that moment, didn’t care much. There were far more important things that were occupying her thoughts.
“What’s with all the hurry?” Noelle yawned as they stepped into line. Alyss was dragging her feet not far behind. “Are they that eager for the final game?”
“Yes,” Eira answered before Cullen could. There was no point in worrying her friends further before the final game.
She began marching with the rest of the column in a daze. Two weeks had gone by and it had felt like two months. Things were different,shewas different. But she hadn’t done enough. Eira gripped the stone in her pocket as the music picked up and they began to march. She could see Cullen’s worried glances, but didn’t pay him any mind. Her focus was ahead.
Through the center passage and into the arena for a final time. The stands were fuller than she’d ever seen them. Packed to the brim with people who had finally made it to the tournament.
And while all eyes were turned here, while the remaining force of the shadows were here… The explosion trapped in the echo of the stone rang in her ears. The Pillars were going to attack Lumeria’s castle.
They wove around stacks of rock, twisted metal, and wood, to come to a stop before the royals in the arena. Once again, the musical chairs of who was present and who was not had rotated. Neither Vi nor Aldrik were in attendance, leaving the Solaris seats woefully empty. For the first time, Eira found their absences reassuring. The treaty couldn’t be signed without the royals present.
You have time, she reminded herself.Play along for now and don’t give any signals you know.
“Welcome, competitors.” The ever-present Lumeria was in her usual position, front and center. “For the final day of our tournament, Meru has designed a game intended to highlight all you have learned throughout this competition in working with your team and utilizing your magic in creative ways.
“In today’s relay, each of you will tackle a different obstacle. The last team to have their torch on the final pedestal at the far end of the arena, and lit, will be declared victorious,” she announced.
“Last team? Doesn’t she mean first?” Alyss mused. Eira was confused as well.
