It took an hour to reach the central sector. The moon hung high, and creatures of the night slithered and hooted and pawed along the path as I rode. My legs and backside ached from all the hard riding today, my muscles unused to sitting atop a horse and clenching for so long.
When we finally reached the treeline that opened to the enormous palace grounds, some of the tension I’d been holding in my shoulders fell away. It was over. I’d done it. And now all I wanted was blessedsleep.
A small shadow darted in front of me, coming from the south side of the trees.
Another challenger racing back? Snapping the reins, I chased after the figure, which grew larger and larger as I crossed the grounds. Just as I was preparing to cast to slow them down, the figure stopped and turned, hearing my approach.
Wavy blonde hair, tall, broad shoulders, and a hint of a smirk peeked out as I drew closer.Nox.
“Nice night for a stroll?” he asked casually, sticking his hands in his pockets.
I shook my head in disbelief. “You’vegotto be kidding me.”
“What? Not happy to see me?”
Dismounting, I tied the reins to an iron bench bordering the nearby gardens. I’d figure out what to do with Leo’s horse after midnight. Glaring at Nox, I held an arm toward the palace. “Why aren’t you going in?”
He shrugged. “Ladies first.”
My eyes narrowed. I couldn’t figure this man out. He seemed genuine, but I couldn’t help thinking there was something I wasn’t seeing. “Why?”
“Because, my very distrusting viper, I’ve already told you—I don’t care if I win this tournament. And I’ve taken a liking to you.” He nodded at the entrance to the north, the ends of his ear-length hair swaying in the breeze. “Call this a sign of good will. I’d rather get through this month with someone tolerable at my side than fight with you every step of the way.” He raised an eyebrow, that familiar yet unsettling glimmer of mischief and honesty in his blue gaze. “So, have I earned your trust yet?”
I chewed my bottom lip, fighting the urge to reject his olive branch and push him to the side. My instincts screamed that this was somehow a trick, that he would abandon or turn on me once I got too close. Trusting Nox…that could potentially be the biggest mistake I’d make this entire tournament. He waspowerful, I could tell. And already knew far too much about me. If he betrayed me, if he got beneath my defenses…he’d be my most formidable opponent.
But everything he’d done so far had been in favor of earning my trust. Drinking the Grimlock wine and confessing his thoughts about the Decemvirate. Confiding in me about his own province hanging his participation over his head. Telling me about the other challengers and warning me against poking Callum too strongly.
Perhaps he truly didn’t care about winning. Perhaps he truly hated the purpose behind this tournament—as did I. And I had to admit, it would be nice knowing I had at leastoneperson who wasn’t trying to sabotage me at every turn.
I let out a sigh as I met his gaze. “Fine,” I said. “But if I so muchassenseyou’re about to betray me, I’ll curse you so fast you’ll wish you had stayed in Drakorum.”
His cheek twitched. “If you were from my province, that wouldn’t be the threat you think it is.” Before I could respond to those cryptic words, he bowed low and swept an arm out ahead of him. “After you.”
Palace guards openedthe grand entrance doors as we approached. Nox stayed a few steps behind me, letting me go first as promised. When I crossed the threshold, the familiar bushy blonde beard of Horace appeared, taking me abruptly by the arm and leading me down the darkened entryway. Flames flickered from the sconces along the wall, the only light in the entire palace.
“Took your time, didn’t you,” he said with a grunt.
I gaped up at him. “Do you even know what happened today?”
“I heard.”
“Oh, right,” I said with a scoff. “I forgot, your good friends Ris?—”
His large hand came up to press firmly against my mouth. “Quiet, girl,” he grumbled. “What are you trying to do, get us killed?” He released me, looking back at Nox and the other guards behind us. His voice lowered. “Save this conversation for when there are less nosey minds around.”
I muttered an apology, then added quietly, “I took their horse, by the way. Can you get it back to them?”
This earned me an actual chuckle. “Emperor’s tits,” he said. “You reallyaretrying to get yourself killed.”
“I’d like to see him try,” I said under my breath. We continued down what I recognized as the corridor leading to the great hall, where whispers and rustling cloth reached my ears. “Where are we going?”
“Another debriefing. It’s required after every trial. They’ll gothrough rankings and scribes will record it all to be turned into news pamphlets for the capital and provinces.”
“We’re doing this atmidnight?” I asked, pressing a finger to my temple. Exhaustion set heavily into my bones, making my feet drag.
Horace simply shrugged. “They love the drama of it. And it gives time to get the news out by morning. Your face and ranking will be plastered on every market square in town tomorrow.”
“Wonderful.”
