She turned fully to face me then, her skirts ruffling with the movement and giving me a glimpse of matching pale pink heels. As pretty as the color was, I found myself wishing for a more vibrant shade.
“Why don’t you tell me what you’re looking for, Your Majesty?” She smiled slightly, fluttering her lashes over keen orange eyes.
I observed her quietly for a moment, debating whether to answer. The last thing I wanted was for these ladies to try to turn themselves into someone they thought I’d choose. I wanted to know their true selves, not a persona they’d don to win.
“Where would the fun of the challenge be if I told you, my Lady?” I smirked at her. “You’ll just have to figure that out yourself.”
Her lips twisted in what seemed to be an uncharacteristically sharp movement, but it disappeared as quickly as it came. The fierce look was so at odds with her demure attitude, I was sure I had to have imagined it.
Still, I knew no one in this game could be trusted. I would be keeping a wary eye on all of them until we found the truth of what had happened to my brother.
Chapter Ten
Jacinth
The ball last night had been tiring, but I knew we only had two days to prepare for the talent competition. Despite the fact that no one would be eliminated quite yet, I knew each challenge would be counted when determining who would win.
These challenges were not abstract. They were pointed. Az—the High King,I corrected myself mentally—and his council had created them specifically. They were all more than challenges. They were concocted to bring parts of us to the surface. Alfrikr said Az—the High King!Ugh—wanted someone authentic. These challenges would expose different parts of who we were at our core. He was trying to crack us all open, so he could see who the best wife and queen would be, for him and the realm.
That meant each trial would be a chance to prove myself to him. To show him parts of myself that were real.I laughed at the very thought of any genuine part of me being anywhere close to good enough to be queen, but it was the only strategy I thought might work. Carnelian said he’d ensure I won, but having now met Azurill, and seeing how untrusting he was of Carnelian, I couldn’t count on that.
Not when my vengeance depended upon this. Not when Ula’s life depended upon it.
First, I had to stop thinking of him as Az. I grimaced at the thought, knowing it would be too easy to begin separating the charming king from the ruthless murderer in my mind. I needed to remember who he truly was.
Today, I was determined to get to work. Faiza joined me, bringing me down hallways in all sorts of colors that reflected the different gems of all the courts, and finally into one that made my breath catch in my throat.
This hall was partly exposed, with rounded ceilings stretching high and curving upwards, and circular open sections where the daylight streamed through in pools of light. The pearlescent walls were trimmed with gold, and vibrant pink flowers stretched up the walls and grew across the ceiling, ringing each opening within it.
The floor was marble, with white, pink, and a bit of black swirling around it. Gold lined the marble, leading visitors down the path. The hallway was long, but there were doors on each side, with gold-lined pink marble steps leading up to each one.
Tears came to my eyes so quickly that I had to shut them before Faiza caught a glimpse. It just looked so much like a piece of Pearl Court—of home—that I was thrown into the past for a moment. My heart ached more than it had in years.
But I pulled myself together and opened my eyes to Faiza’s concerned look, worry filling her turquoise orbs as her hand landed on my arm.
“Jacinth, are you okay?” she asked, her eyebrows creasing.
“I’m fine,” I told her, forcing a smile. “It’s just so beautiful, it’s nearly overwhelming!”
Faiza’s face cleared, her shoulders dropping as she relaxed. “It is, isn’t it? Az’s family updated the palace many times. Each time, they added more to represent the other courts. This is for Pearl Court.”
She eyed me for a moment, “You know, with your coloring, you almost look like you belong here.”
My eyes widened, but her impish smile broke out after a moment, making me force a laugh. I pushed her shoulder, like we were two friends joking around.
“Well, lucky me.” I joked, “Now I’m here.”
“Yes, you are,” she chuckled, waving a hand toward the door to the left. “Here it is.”
I looked at her to double-check she wasn’t kidding, but she looked serious despite the faint smile still tilting her lips upwards.
I stepped up the stairs, following Alfrikr as he opened the double doors covered in pink flowers too close to the same shade as my own hair. I truly hoped no one thought twice about that coincidence.
As the doors opened fully, the room inside was revealed. Mirrors surrounded the space, with plenty of light coming in through the round opening in the ceiling, just like the hall outside. It filled the room with a sunny, floral scent, making it feel more like home than anywhere had felt in years.
I stepped in, heading for the back, where a music player sat on a small but ornate golden table. My steps bounced as I crossed the floor, the excitement running wildly through my veins. I set the music to play, ignoring Faiza watching curiously from the corner. It was only fair to let her watch after she’d set this up for me and even procured the music.
I let myself get lost in said music now. When I was a child, I was enthralled by the pixie carnivals that would come and entertain us with marvelous feats. While I’d always enjoyed the acrobats and lion tamers, it was the dancers who truly stole my focus. The way their bodies moved was mesmerizing, and I’d wanted to be just like them.
