“Those Rissa trusts most.” He opened the door and stepped outside to give me privacy. “Hurry up. I’ve gotta take you to the Aris cottage.”
The Aris cottagewas only a twenty minute ride south from the palace. Horace rode his own horse while I took Leo’s black stallion, dreading the confrontation that was sure to happen when I brought him back after stealing—borrowinghim.
Horace told me there was nothing to worry about, that Lark and Rissa simply wanted to meet with the Sentinels’ inner circle and myself while there was a break between trials, since almost all of them knew about me now anyway. There were six days, including today, before the next one began, and I agreed this would be a good time to discuss myothermission.
Still, I wasn’t necessarily looking forward to seeing Leo again, especially after my abysmal ranking from last night. Just another reason for him not to believe I could accomplish what they needed. Not to mention the idea of being in that house, one Branock Aris himself may have once lived in, made my anxiety rise like the tide.
We arrived at the cottage, and I took it in for the first time. I’d left too abruptly the evening before to give it a backward glance. The white wood stuck out in the middle of the green forest, even though it was stained and faded by the elements. The dark roof was patched with a chimney sticking out the right side where I knew the mantle and fireplace rested. Two windows were positioned by the front door. Several pots of plants rested on the windowsills, their leaves reaching toward the morning sun.
Horace told me to go inside while he tied our horses to a post and did a quick check of the perimeter. When I opened the door, the scents of savory meat and freshly baked bread hit my senses.
Rissa stood in the kitchen, putting slices of a red apple into abowl next to a plate of thinly sliced ham and a loaf of bread. “Good morning,” she said, looking up at me. Her blonde waves fell down one shoulder as she smiled. “Sleep well?”
I snorted. “Not even a little.” Peering around the kitchen and living room, I hesitantly asked, “Is your brother here?”
“Not yet. He had an early morning patrol shift, but he’ll be back soon. Everyone’s on their way.” She gestured to a seat at the small kitchen table with her knife. “Go ahead and sit down. Are you hungry?”
“Starving,” I said. I wasn’t even sure I’d eaten yesterday, save for an orange Horace had stuffed in my hand after taking me back to my room following the ranking.
She busied herself with setting a glass of water and a plate of apples, bread, and ham in front of me. “How are your ribs?”
I could tell she was trying to keep the atmosphere light, but an awkwardness had settled in the air. She knew I’d been on edge here yesterday, and my feelings toward her and her family hadn’t gone away overnight. I briefly wondered if Leo had told her what I’d confessed about my father and theirs.
But she was attempting nonchalance, so I’d go along with it. “Much better,” I said, taking a bite of bread. “That healing potion worked wonders.”
We sat in silence for a moment, her cleaning the kitchen while I ate. Finally, I said, “I never really thanked you yesterday. For chasing off Callum and bringing me here to heal. I—I don’t think I would’ve completed the trial without your help.”
“Oh, I think you would’ve found a way. But you’re welcome, Rose.”
I couldn’t meet her eyes as she smiled at me, those piercing gems so very similar to Leo’s. A small voice inside wondered…did they get those eyes from their father?
Branock Aris sends his love.
My grip on the glass of water tightened as I took a sip, washing the acrid taste of the memory from my mouth.
Rissa must have seen the shift in my demeanor, for she walkedto the table and stretched an arm out as if to rest it on my shoulder. “Rose, listen?—”
I shifted out of her reach and cleared my throat. “So, who all is meeting us here?”
She sighed and dropped her hand. “My brother and Horace, of course. Lark is coming up from the palace. And another Sentinel member named Chaz. While I initially wanted to keep your involvement just between those who absolutely needed to know, Leo helped me realize these are the people I trust the most. I want them here to discuss a plan of action for your time in the palace hunting down Gayl’s Grimoire.”
I swallowed. I knew this conversation was coming, and that I’d eventually have to tell her about the utter disaster with Gayl the previous day. Fidgeting with the hem of my shirt, I nodded tightly, embarrassment seeping in and mixing with my discomfort. As much as the knowledge of her being Branock Aris’ daughter still ate at me, I didn’t want her—or the others—to think I had failed. That I wasn’t up for the challenge.
But part of me wondered if someone else would be better suited for this task—someone like Leo, as loath as I was to admit it. It was obvious he wanted the job in the first place. He’d nearly turned green with envy when he found out I was the one Lark had chosen after Ragnar.
I’d been discovered withinminutesof following Gayl. I’d been bested by both AlaricandCallum during the trial, putting me almost in last place. The only reason I’d even completed it was because Rissa had saved me in time. What if Iwasn’ta wise choice for this task? What if my skills consisted of sharp remarks and the occasional well-timed enchantment? The future of this empire wavered above my shoulders, and perhaps it was the exhaustion talking, but I feared I wouldn’t be able to bear it.
Rissa continued, unaware of my internal struggle. “Having someone like you in the palace for an entire month is the biggest break we’ve had in years. Just be sure you’re staying safe and out of sight.” Nerves coiled inside me at her words. “As a challenger,you’ll have more freedom and leniency than any of us could ever dream of. A protection that allows you to get away with more, as the empire has a very compelling reason to keep you and the other five challengers alive. But Rose”—she reached out to grip my arm, and I fought the urge to flinch—“you still need to be careful. Your position and our power can only go so far. That’s what we’re going to talk about today. How to keep you safe and?—”
I pulled my arm away, the little food I’d eaten now climbing up my throat. “Rissa, I don’t know if I can do this.” The words were out of my mouth before I could stop them, but the moment I spoke, fear and uncertainty spilled from me like water.
I’d been foolish and arrogant to think I could do this—anyof this. The Decemvirate, the mission, the spying. Who was I to walk into this city and think I could change things with a little bit of quick spellcasting and a chip on my shoulder? That I could take on not only five challengers with far more experience and preparation than myself, but the great and powerful emperor of the Veridian Empire?
My breaths came fast and sharp. I wasn’t used to not being able to squash these intense feelings away. I raked shaking fingers through my hair as I tried to shove at the rising panic. This was a mistake. There was still time for them to find someone else.
“Rose—Rose, hold on. What are you talking about?” Rissa asked, crouching and grasping my shoulders, forcing me to face her. “Did something happen?”
I bit down on my tongue, tasting blood, and swallowed hard. “I messed up,” I said in a flat voice.
