“Solaris has won the game, and with it the competition,” Lumeria announced with a raise of her hands as the competitors were being ushered out. “Now, we will have a brief recess to set up for the awards ceremony and, most importantly, the signing of the treaty.” The queen’s words were hastier than normal. Eira noticed knights sweeping down the royals’ box.
Signing the treaty?Now?It was too soon. The fragile peace and composure Vi had been trying to hold together was coming undone. The Pillars had made their move on the arena. But they’d been caught… They’d probably wanted to be to keep the focus here.
Did this mean they were hastening their plans? Eira scanned the attendants for any other unfamiliar faces—for anyone who could get her to Deneya.
“This way, please.” The knights ushered them all into the wide road that cut underneath the coliseum and connected to the village, but didn’t take them all the way to the latter. “We need you all to wait here until further instruction.”
“I need to speak with Deneya,” Eira said boldly.
“There are other matters she must attend to.” The knight gave her an annoyed look. “The tournament will end shortly.” He stomped off.
Eira popped her knuckles in frustration. Was now the time to cause a scene? She had to warn them…
“What a way to end,” Alyss muttered.
“I expected the tournament to end with a bang, but that was a surprise,” Noelle joked.
“That is terrible and far too soon.” Cullen rolled his eyes at her.
“How did you know there were flash beads there?” Lavette was the first to approach them. She kept her voice to a hushed whisper.
Eira narrowed her eyes slightly. She hadn’t used the words “flash beads” in any of her warnings. “How did you know what it was?”
Lavette scoffed. “Don’t look at me with skepticism. I’m from Qwint. The sounds of flash bead explosions against our rune-fortified walls haunt my dreams.”
The other competitors from Qwint weren’t far behind. Lop had his arm around Varren’s trembling shoulders. Lavette was telling the truth. Their hollow and horrified gazes assured her of it.
Eira sighed softly. “Sorry, things are tense. I sensed the water was different.”
“Do you know what happened?” Menna asked, approaching with Meru and Twilight in tow. The draconi stayed separate, off to the side.
“What was that?” Graff asked, his arm around Sorrah’s shoulders. She still looked a little shaken.
All eyes were on her. Eira searched for the right words. What could she say that wouldn’t out herself as working with the Court of Shadows? Or risk more panic? She glanced toward Lavette.Her lips were pressed into a firm line. Eira understood without words.
“I noticed something odd.” She kept the flash beads among those who knew, for now.
“Odd enough to make water explode?” Graff didn’t seem convinced.
“I’m sure that was something else. Maybe a spectator who got too zealous.” She shrugged and scratched the back of her neck. “I was probably overexaggerating the risk. I’m sorry.”
“No…there was something there,” Menna said. “I saw it when I landed by the pool of water. It wasn’t normal.”
“And why wasn’t the draconi’s tampered with?” Graff looked over his shoulder.
“I don’t like your tone,” Harkor snarled.
“Eira Landan.” An attendant approached. “I have an award of an individual merit from Queen Lumeria herself.”
That silenced the rest of them.
“Excuse me?”
“You uncovered the unique element of this game—a hidden hindrance,” the attendant said.
“Then why didn’t the draconi have that hindrance?” Varren asked shakily.
“Maybe they needed an easier version of the game,” Lop joked with venom.
