For the first time in days, I felt light. Hopeful. The spark of competition lit a fire in my blood.
The competitors were split intotwo groups—those competing for the title of Mister Moonvale, and those competing for the title of Miss Moonvale. Anyone could join either group, really. We didn’t care.
But that Miss title would be mine, no matter what.
There was no way that the stranger would win any of the trials, and it would besosatisfying to leave him in the dust.
CHAPTER 15
Shade
She would finally be mine.
Finally.
A pretty black rose dangled loosely from my fingertips, begging to be returned to the bouquet I’d snatched it from.
I tucked it into the front of my jacket, right into the pocket.
The first competition was absurd—we had to cook a meal for someone else. I couldn’t believe thatcookingwas a skill these folk used to determine an adequate leader.
The other folk had an unfair advantage. They could remember recipes.
I had nothing.
Nothing but smoke and mirrors and frustrating, agonizing knots rattling around in my head.
My teeth gnashed together, grinding like a mortar and pestle.
My Ginger was a vision in every form, but this day, she was almost too painful to look at. Her beauty was a gut punch that knocked the air from my lungs.
I feasted on her with my eyes as often as possible.
The ruler, an unimpressive gryphon man named Tommins, droned on. “The rules for the first trial are simple: you must pull together a dish that isedibleandnontoxicbefore time is up. You may use as many or as few ingredients as necessary. You must return in one hour.” He clapped his hands together. “If you do not finish your dish within the hour, you will be eliminated. Are the rules clear?”
The rules were abundantly clear. A brainless fool could understand them.
“What if we don’t have the proper ingredients ready?” someone asked.
I rolled my eyes. You would steal them, obviously. Or demand they be given to you.
Tommins shrugged, flashing a bland smile. “That’s part of the competition. Speed will factor in—prepare quickly and use your time wisely.”
Folk nodded.
Idiots.
“And we shall count down in three… two…” He clapped his hands together again. “One! Begin!”
The crowd of spectators cheered in loud, obnoxious voices.
The competitors took off running in every direction.
Air rushed impatiently out of my nose. These folk were so wild and uncivilized.
I folded my hands behind my back and calmly set about selecting my target.
Ipeered through windows and doorways and watched as dishes were haphazardly slapped together.
