18
Jordan returns to my quarters that evening at dinnertime. She’s glowing, but I barely have the chance to say two words to her before the message arrives from the Elven Command about the next trial.
Elise reads from the delivered parchment: “The next trial will be a game of wits, designed to eliminate one champion. The champions are to present themselves to the…” She pauses, throwing a questioning glance my way. “…to the War Room at the ninth hour tomorrow morning. Only the Elven Command and the champions’ advisors may be present.”
She rolls up the parchment, frowning at it. “That’s all it says.”
“So it’s a test of intelligence in the War Room?” I shrug it off. There’s no way I’m going to let it darken my last few hours with Jordan. I slap my hand over my knee. “Well, I’m not going to get any smarter overnight and I’m pretty sure I can handle a trial and a wedding in the same day so… I order no more talk about it tonight. Let’s eat and enjoy our time with our Storm Commander before she gets married tomorrow evening.”
My ladies break into smiles and cheering. Jordan glows all through the meal, but she’s also full of purpose. Finishing her food opposite me, she says, “You need a new Storm Commander.”
“Jordan, it’s fine. Elise will put in a request once you’re married. Thanks to you, the Storm Command works like clockwork. It can wait a day.”
She nods and tops up my glass of water. I give her a look: she doesn’t need to wait on me hand and foot.
She says, “You did this amazing thing for me. I can’t ever repay you.”
“All this talk of repayment. Be happy. That’s all I want.” I click my tongue. I can’t help it. I say, “And maybe name one of your children after me.”
She turns bright pink, stacking her dishes in a pile on the table. By the time she’s done rearranging the cups and plates, she’s become very quiet. “I’m going to miss you, Marbella Mercy.”
I bite my lower lip. “Hey, you said my name.”
“I did.”
“I’m going to miss you too, Jordan.”
She clears her throat. “All right then, I’m still in charge here so I’ll stay tonight and—”
“Get ready here tomorrow? I’m sorry that I have to go out in the morning for the trial, but I’ll be back in the afternoon. What are you going to wear?”
“Um…” She glances down at her gray suit.
“Oh no. Nope. Not that.” I push my plate away and stand up on my chair. “Storm Command, attention! We have an emergency.”
All ten of them swivel to me and I’m seriously impressed with how quickly they drop their knives and forks. They’re ready for anything. Which is good because…
I grin. “Jordan needs a dress.”
For the next few hours, I forget everything except my friend’s happiness. My ladies show me just how multi-talented they are when they pull together enough material to not only sew a dress, but also make it on the spot with the same craftsmanship they used to make my armor. It’s a fine green silk with a bodice that hugs Jordan’s curves and flows gently from her hips. At midnight, when they’re finished and Jordan tries it on, Elise adds the final touches by spellcasting one of the silver candlesticks into fine filigree to adorn the skirt and rest across Jordan’s shoulders.
My ladies hug each other and some of them start to cry. “Happy tears,” they say. I know this is a side of them that nobody else will ever see—that they will never let anyone else see because they are warriors to their core. But they’re also friends and aren’t afraid to show their emotions around each other.
As Jordan twirls in her new dress, she gives me a grin and her true character shines through when she hitches up the skirt to reveal a weapons belt just like mine around her thigh and knee.
“I approve,” I whisper, as my ladies surround her, and I wish I could hug them instead of keeping my distance.
Finally, Elise points at the ornate clock on the wall. “You need to get some rest.”
“Is it too much to ask for tomorrow not to arrive at all? I’d like to stay in this moment for a while longer.”
“I understand. But really, it’s time for sleep now.” She gives me her stern look, the one I know comes from concern for my wellbeing. The Elven Command’s message about the next trial was obscure. I know the time and place but not much more. I’ll need all my wits about me if I’m going to succeed. Which means I need rest. Reluctantly, I leave my friends, not sure how much sleep I’ll get ahead of tomorrow, finally falling asleep to the patter of rainfall outside.
* * *
I’mthe first to arrive at the War Room. I leave the Storm Command at the door and only Elise accompanies me inside, one step behind me. The Elven Command waits in a line at the front of the room behind the War Table. The whole space looks very different to the last time I was here battling my Storm Command and learning how to fight again. There are three chairs spaced apart in the open part of the room, but otherwise, it’s empty.
Osian Valor is the first of the Elven Command to greet me. I’m sure that’s intended to throw me off balance given what happened with Rhydian. He gives me a thin smile. “Welcome, Princess. Please take a seat while we wait for the other two champions.”
