“We should focus on ourselves,” Cullen said. “The other nations have their own concerns.”
“But knowing what those concerns are could help us in besting them,” Alyss said.
“True, but, for now, Cullen is right. We should focus on the challenge before us. We can gather information after,” Eira said.
“You would take his side.” Noelle had a playful spark in her words that Eira quickly doused with a look. She hummed awkwardly, obsessing over her remaining jewels.
“At least we have some practice with this.” Cullen ignored her remark as well and adjusted his bracers. “It’s similar to our second trial, the obstacle course—don’t let your pin come off.” He flashed them a smile so dazzling that Eira was momentarily blinded.
The second trial…that was the one he had taken her to court beforehand, so she could help her brother cheat. That was the first time she had kissed Cullen. She hadn’t savored that moment nearly enough at the time, and now she wouldn’t allow herself to. They’d never been real; from that first moment on it was about playing pretend—she had to believe that.
“In addition to points,” King Tortium continued, “the winning team will receive the benefit of the finest Draconi silks, woven from the great worms that live deep in the Windstone Mountains.” The king motioned and draconi walked along the upper ring of the arena, holding out shimmering silks for competitors and spectators alike. The fabric looked so delicate that it was amazing the draconi’s claws didn’t punch holes right through them as they were weighted by lumps of feathers within.
“What?” Noelle gasped. “Silks? We cannot lose. I will not sleep on those scratchy blankets.”
“Glad you have all the motivation you need.” Cullen chuckled. “And here I was worried these games would be beneath you.”
“Beneath me?” Noelle scoffed. “If there are two things I love, they’re attention and winning. These games areperfectfor me.”
“Each team will begin at the post that corresponds to their nation’s colors,” King Tortium instructed.
“What’s our strategy?” Cullen asked as they walked over. Eira had expected him to naturally fall into the role of the leader. But he seemed to defer to her.
Eira had already been thinking about that herself. She matched his strides, step for step. Then, Cullen allowed her to walk slightly ahead. “The way to win is to be the last one with a pennon on, right?”
“That’s what the Draconi King said.” Cullen nodded.
“I think Noelle and I should go on the offensive, you and Alyss on the defensive.”
“How so?” Alyss asked.
“Turtle yourself.” The first time Eira had seen Alyss turtle was on a mountain hike. They had been talking about Eira’s avalanche protection and Alyss showed her a similar method for avalanches and rockslides. “If no one can get to you, no one can get your pennon. Wait it out and let everyone else pick each other off.”
“I want to help,” Alyss insisted. “I can fight.”
“I know you can, but keeping your pennon on will help,” Noelle said with a note of approval for the plan.
“Moreover, let’s hide some of our skills—leave something to their imagination,” Eira reasoned. She didn’t want to show all of their magic upfront.
“And how will I use my magic for the defensive?” Cullen asked.
“Can you get up to the top of the posts?” Eira’s eyes darted between the tall wooden posts positioned around the arena. The ones every team was gathering around.
“I should be able to,” Cullen said thoughtfully. “Walking on air is difficult…but it’s something the empress and I were working on.”
“Good. I have faith you can do it. Go up and dance between them. You can lend some assistance to Noelle and me if youthink it’s safe enough…but keep your focus on yourself. If they can’t reach you, they won’t get the pennon. Then we have two different pennons we’re protecting, and two we’re risking to take out others.”
“I like this plan.” Noelle cracked her knuckles, sparks flying with every pop. “You and I will give them all the trouble.”
“That’s the goal.” Eira wriggled her fingers, feeling magic pulsing down her forearms and into her palms, ready to be unleashed. “Are we all in agreement?” Each of them nodded as they reached their post. “Good, and good luck.”
“Let’s show them what Solaris is made of.” Cullen clenched his fist in a motion that already spoke of victory.
“Just watch out for Lightspinning,” Eira said to Cullen and Alyss. “Their shatter glyph could be a real problem for you, Alyss.”
“I’ll stay on my toes and adapt as needed. I can move stone very, very quickly.”
“I have faith in you. And I’ll do my best to keep Meru busy. I know Lightspinning the best, so I’ll try to go after them.” Eira shared a smile with Alyss and placed her palm on the post.
