Nikias shifted, tilting his head down, and some of his hair fell into his face, lank and lacking life. “Considering what we encountered on the road, and what happened in the last trial, I thought it prudent to secure the route myself. I wanted to ensure that everything along it was as it ought to be, and matched Commander Prisca’s specifications exactly.”
Aimilia raised an eyebrow. “Really? And what’s the verdict?”
Like she believed him.
He looked up, meeting her eyes, and his voice was low as he whispered, “I promise, everything is exactly as it should be. There’s nothing there that’s not meant to be there. It’ll be a fair race.”
Great. Now Aimilia had to worry about whatever traps Nikias had just laid, as well as Queen Clelia, not to mention her uncle actively trying to sabotage her while they were doing it. Still, Aimilia would succeed despite the odds, and victory would be all the sweeter.
She was unable to stop her lip curling up as her nails dug into her skin. “I’m sure we’ll all appreciate your effort. I’d hate for anyone to say that this was rigged in my favor too.”
Nikias looked up sharply at that. “What are you talking about?”
Aimilia scoffed. “It’s just gossip. No need to worry your pretty little head about it. You’ve never cared what anyone says, or the damage that it can do.”
Nikias’ eyes flashed. “That’s not true. Of course I care.”
He glanced around before lowering his voice as he stepped closer, bringing his horse up to shield them from some of the people watching the interaction. He whispered, “I’ve heard what they’re saying?—”
Aimilia stepped back and shook her head. “If you think that’s going to change anything, you’re wrong. I’d rather people talk.”
Nikias reached out, but his hand never made contact. It just fell back to his side. “Aimilia, I know you won’t believe me, but I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have?—”
Aimilia laughed. “Save your breath, Your Highness. I might be dumb enough to fall for it twice, but I’m not going to fall for it a third time. So good luck with whatever it is you’ve laid out there—we’ll see in the end who’s the victor.”
Nikias just brushed past her. And as he went, he whispered, “You don’t have to believe it, but I am sorry.”
If she did believe it, it would only be because he was sorry he’d gotten caught. Aimilia’s blood boiled as she watched him go. Nikias headed toward the amphitheater.
Good.
Aimilia looked back at the shadowy route in the trees. Maybe it was time she started praying for miracles like Marcella. She was going to need one to have a hope of winning this against all these odds.
Chapter 62
AIMILIA
Prisca had already announced to the crowd at the amphitheater the procedure.
Aimilia stood in the middle of the row of the competitors as Prisca explained to the competitors and the crowd gathered near the start of the route. She bounced in her sandals, stomach in knots.
“As you all are already aware, today is your last and final trial for the judges to determine who will be the new Head of House Mitis. It will involve a race, but this is not just any race. You have a mission.”
Prisca gestured to the handlers, and Aimilia finally saw what they were there for. They didn’t have live animals. They had eggs.
Aimilia recognized the pattern on two of them, a bright, vivid orange with red and gold splattered across the shell. Phoenix eggs. Another one had an electric blue jagged pattern, while another was simply cream with tawny mottling over it.
“You will be assigned at random one of these eggs, and it is your duty to transport it safely from here to the finish line, as quickly as you can. However, your goal is to also keep yourcompetitors from being able to do so. You may use any means necessary. You will be judged on speed, skill and your strategic thinking, as well as the egg’s condition, when you arrive. It is not simply whoever finishes first, but whoever finishes the best.”
Aimilia held out her hands as the handlers brought her egg to her. One of the phoenix eggs. Aimilia didn’t know whether she should be grateful she knew the creature inside or more fearful. Maybe ignorance would have been bliss. Unfortunately, any commander worth their salt knew how to spot a phoenix egg, given how devastating the phoenixes of the Embrai Elemens were in battle.
As soon as Aimilia’s hands touched the shell, she could feel a burning, boiling heat from inside. It was almost scalding to the touch. Aimilia had no idea how she was supposed to hold this long enough to make it to the end. Cyprian received the electric blue egg. Each egg was about the size of her forearm. Sizable, but not massive.
She’d heard dragon eggs were slightly larger, but those were even rarer. Any kind of magical creature was rare in Imperia, mostly because the Runai did an excellent job of finding them. Magical creatures mostly lived amongst the Elemens and in the Wildlands. How far had the Runai who’d gotten these had to travel to find them?
But that would have to be answered another day.
Prisca was walking off to the side, and Aimilia spotted Lieutenant Turpis waiting for her, openly glaring at Aimilia.
