“How about when it’s just us, we dispense with all the cumbersome titles.” I smiled, leaning in and bumping her shoulder with my own. “If you don’t want to win, we’re not really competition anyway, right?”
Faiza sighed gratefully, smiling with a hope that made me feel like the absolute worst. Here I was thinking of how to use her connections, while she was excited to find a friend among the vicious sharks they called ladies.
Despite all her time at court, she couldn’t even recognize the predator circling around her.
Yet somehow, that fact made me want to fend off the others more than take a bite myself.
“Right. So, do you really think you can win?” she asked, her eyes sparkling with mischief.
I laughed lightly, “I certainly hope so! But I suppose we’ll see. It would be quite the improvement from Ruby.” I improvised, not wanting to seem like another one of these women only chasing a crown. “My Lord is…”
I trailed off, shuddering slightly, and her eyes instantly softened with compassion.
“I understand. Az and father have both always said he was quiteintense,” she said, putting a hand on my shoulder. I smiled at her softly, nodding my head.
“Ladies of Gemaria!” Emrys all but bellowed as he swept into the room, taking everyone’s attention. He seemed to revel in it, smiling brightly at us all as the lights sparkled over his opal curls.
“You’re all here today for the same thing, the Diamond Queen Competition! In a few moments, you’ll be introduced to High King Azurill and the court formally as the competitors for this year’s competition. During this, you’ll learn the next steps and what the first challenge will be,” Emrys explained, his opalescent-white hair shining under the hanging lights.
“Will we have time with High King Azurill?” Zumra asked, and I couldn’t help rolling my eyes at Faiza. She snickered, covering her mouth with her hand.
Emrys seemed to be having trouble not rolling his own. He tilted his head at the emerald-haired lady and very patiently said, “You’ll learn everything in a few moments, Lady Zumra. From High King Azurill himself, even.”
With that, we were quickly shuffled into a line and arranged according to our courts. Thankfully, I found myself right behind Faiza, Ruby Court being shown in second after Diamond. Nerves clanged through me, and I bit down hard on my lower lip, trying to chase them away.
Faiza reached out a hand behind where she stood, and I grasped onto it, truly grateful for some solidarity in this cesspit.
“Aww,” Zumra crooned from right behind me. “They’ve put the two lesser contestants up first, before getting to the real competitors. How sweet.”
“Or they’ve put us in order according to the map.” I snapped back, rolling my eyes as I ignored her huff.
Before I knew it, Faiza was called forward, and I instantly missed her. Zumra and Safira were spitting venom behind me. Everything from picking apart each lady present to how they’ll win the challenges to how they’ll change the palace once they’re queen. It was ridiculous and everything I hated about this life.
I just had to remind myself of the goal.
A dead High King.
Vengeance for my family.
The ability to sleep without nightmares.
Peace.
Chapter Seven
Jacinth
When my name was called, I walked forward with my head held high, my dress flowing behind me as I prepared myself for what was about to happen. I walked from the antechamber into the throne room, finding Faiza standing to the side as I stepped toward the diamond throne.
The room itself was large and circular, crafted in a white, silver, and blue color palette, with diamonds sparkling along all the edges. I hated to admit it, but it was very tastefully done. Not too much, but just enough to show their station and wealth properly. Paintings depicting past kings and queens, battles, and moments in history were hung on the walls, while chandeliers dangled from the ceiling, and each column surrounding the space was crafted to mimic one of the gods, with gems adorning their visages and creating beautiful works of art from them.
And then my eyes turned toward the spot I’d been avoiding.
The throne.
And the Elf sitting on it.
The throne itself was cut from a giant diamond, and the piece was one smooth jewel that shimmered in the light. The diamond had a blue core that matched the kyanite shade used in throughout the room, while a matching blue was upholstered and affixed to the seat to make it comfortable to sit on.
