Another male steps in and forces Rhydian even further back. This new male has his back to me and I can’t identify him, but he grips Rhydian firmly and doesn’t let go. Rhydian is suddenly much further back in the crowd, too far to pose a threat.
Sebastian spins to Jordan. She’s frozen to the spot.
“Warrior of the House of Splendor,” he addresses her with respect, not taking his eyes off her. “Please forgive my trespass into your space.”
I can only see half of her face, but I know her well enough to see the battle she’s hiding. It breaks my heart to see them finally able to speak to each other but not free to say what they want. She clears her throat. Takes a deep breath. She whispers, “All is forgiven, Sebastian.”
His gaze remains on her for a moment, brittle and breaking. She just forgave him for being a champion but it looks like her forgiveness is breaking his heart. Then he nods and pushes backward, forcing the elves behind him to step backward too. The male who helped him joins him to form a barrier of sorts, allowing us to pass.
I assess the male standing beside Sebastian as we move on. He’s from one of the minor Houses: Jasper from the House of Grace. He has straight brown hair, shoulder-length but tied back, and brown eyes. He has a lot of courage to step forward against one of the major Houses.
The advisor from Rhydian’s House rushes after me. “Princess, I apologize on behalf of the House of Valor.”
I don’t stop moving. “Your House should choose its champions more wisely. You can tell your House and any other House that will listen: any male who comes near me will forfeit his life and I won’t regret killing him.”
My Storm Command glares at every male within glaring distance. By the time we reach the place where the Elven Command is supposed to give us further instructions, my ladies are having a full-on glare fest. Nobody comes near us now.
I seek Baelen on the other side of the clearing, not sure how much he saw or heard. All of it, by the looks of things. He nods at someone behind me before he turns away and I’m surprised to see that it’s Jasper who remains within a few feet behind my ladies.
At that moment, Elise races toward me, pushing through the crowd.
Jordan leans in to me. “I’ll tell Elise what happened after you’re gone. She’ll deal with the other advisors.”
I know she will. I just wish I could be there when Elise gives them all the what for. The Storm Command opens for Elise who hands me a piece of folded paper. “You’ll need this.”
I lift the corner of the paper. It’s a map. The location of the nest will be inside it. “Thank you.”
She hesitates. “Are you sure, Princess?”
Am I? I’m about to deliberately seek out a gargoyle nest and deter the other champions from going near it. Then I have to complete the challenge and make it to the top of Scepter peak after giving everyone else a head start. Not exactly what I saw myself doing when I woke up this morning. “I’m sure.”
The Elven Command files onto the field but there are no grand speeches this time. Teilo Splendor is the only one who speaks. “All advisors must now leave the field.”
Jordan hesitates beside me, her fists clenching. “I’ve never left you before, Princess. I don’t know if I should.”
I swallow. “I’ll be fine, Jordan.”
She holds my eyes. “Whatever you do, don’t underestimate the others.” She spins on her heels. “Storm Command, file out.”
Elise and my ladies leave me for the first time. And for the first time ever, there’s space around me. Shame it’s filled with arrogant males. At least none of them dares approach me now.
Teilo continues. “Champions, remember that you must reach Scepter Peak by this time tomorrow or you will be eliminated. Now… choose your transport!”
He steps back and for a moment there’s silence. Then the faint whoosh of flapping wings fills the air. High in the sky, animals soar toward us.
My jaw drops. Winged stallions sail through the air, circling overhead. Golden griffins join them, followed by giant eagles with white-tipped wings. Some are smaller than others, but their wingspans are all massive. As one mass, they swoop toward the field.
The champions brace. As the first flying beast reaches us, the nearest male begins to run, pacing himself with the gliding creature, leaping neatly onto the Pegasus’ back when the horse draws close enough.
Choose our transport? More likecatchour transport.
The animals don’t land and they don’t slow down. Several more males leap to their chosen animals and take to the sky.
None of the creatures come near me. Just like any sensible animal, they’re spooked by the storm, veering off before they get too close.
In the distance, a griffin flies down to Baelen but he hesitates.
“Go,” I whisper. If he doesn’t take his chance, there might not be another one. He’s already let two animals pass him by because he’s waiting for me. There are only a handful left.
