The sound of the crowd filling in the many seats created a cacophony of noise that nearly made my ears weep. While we waited for his Majesty to make an appearance, I shed the white cloak I was wearing. The cloak had arrived with the other items I’d requested. Since we’d been told that Azurill would ensure we were provided with whatever we required, I took full advantage of the situation, requesting an outfit that was fit for a combination of a queen and a pixie dancer.
The white cloak was embroidered with red and set with rubies along the trim from the neck to the floor. The red fox fur along the collar was especially lovely, and while it was a bit over the top just to use as a cover-up until we got here, I wasn’t going to complain. The fabric was soft and supple, and it created a striking look, so I fully planned to nick it before fleeing. It wouldhelp keep me warm when I was forced back into sleeping on street corners and abandoned houses.
Erodite, I’d really miss the luxurious beds you could sink into.
The bedroom designed for the Ruby competitor was obviously designed for someonefromRuby, with red being the dominant color. But it was so easily ignored when I sank into that bed. It felt like sleeping on a cloud.
Removing the cloak, my outfit for the challenge was revealed in its entirety. My slippers matched the shimmering silver tutu that surrounded my waist, offsetting the ruby bodysuit that was dotted with diamonds along the front. My hair had been braided to create a crown atop my head, while my makeup had darkened the rims of my eyes and brightened the pout of my lips.
But it was the diamond dust across my lids and the tiny diamonds added to the edges of my eyes, creating a swirl on each side, that really brought the look together. It was attention-grabbing, which was exactly what I needed here.
All the clamor from up front finally came to a stop as the crowd hushed, and I knewhemust have appeared.
“Welcome, my dear citizens of Theiapolis, to the first event of the Diamond Queen Competition!” Azurill’s voice boomed around the arena, magic amplifying his voice. Loud cheers, whistles, and claps met his announcement.
Once they finally quieted down a bit, he continued, “Today’s challenge is simple, but it will allow us all to learn a bit more about the ladies vying to be the next Diamond Queen: a talent contest! While no one will be eliminated this round, we still need a winner, one who will receive the chance to spend some extra one-on-one time with me!”
While the crowd went wild, I eyed the other ladies around me. Most of them kept to themselves, all narrowed eyes and pursed lips as they looked around at the other ladies in turn. Faiza and I stuck together, but the glares of Lady Zumra and Safira were intensely focused on us.
Then there was Lady Sania, whom I ached to approach, but whose face might as well have been carved from diamond itself. It was a completely blank slate and not exactly welcoming. Lady Ophira’s nose was firmly in the air, which was about what I’d expect from a woman with hair of liquid gold, while Lady Amatista was watching everyone with too much calculation in her amethyst eyes to ignore. Meanwhile, Lady Allirea was fiddling with the ends of her opal hair, avoiding looking at anyone else entirely.
Faiza’s name was called first, and I wished I’d been able to watch her performance. She was an artist and planned to create a magnificent painting right on stage. Unfortunately, I didn’t have much time to think about what she might have created, as I was called up for my own turn next.
Walking onto the large stage, I noticed the throne set dead center before it, slightly elevated to ensure the high king had the best view. This throne was a plush silver and blue, with tufted velvet inset with diamonds instead of buttons, and the gems of all the courts lined the sides, completely covering the arms and legs, as well as around the backrest. His council surrounded him on either side, and I forced myself to smile and curtsy to them all when I arrived in the middle of the platform.
The smirk on Azurill’s face as he watched me with those intense teal eyes was infuriating, but it only pushed my desire to prove exactly what I was capable of higher. To him. To the court. Toeveryone.
The music began, and Azurill shifted forward slightly on his throne before setting himself back into it, as if he didn’t want to be caught in the act of actually being interested in the happenings on stage.
I let a smile grace my full lips as I launched into my routine. My arms swept up before I twirled in a tight circle, bringing my leg up as I bent backward before snapping back and jumping into a spin to the other side of the stage. I spun, tucked, flipped, and rolled. It was quite an acrobatic dance, with a lot of exaggerated, dramatic movements, but it also told a story—and a tragic one at that.
The tale of the Wolf Princess was well known and mostly used for children’s bedtime stories these days. It told of a princess who rejected a cocky prince and fell in love with a common man, marrying him instead. Sadly, her love story didn’t last long, as the common man merely wanted her for her money and title. He cursed her into the form of a wolf, enabling him to take over everything and steal her entire life from her.
She was unable to change back, except for one night a year, when the moon was full and bright, the closest to Adamah it ever got, where she would be allowed to regain her Elven form. Only a kiss from her true love on that night, given to her at exactly the moment the moon’s light kissed her true form, would break the curse.
The irony of the story was that she’d already rejected her true love. He’d been too afraid to show her the truth of himself, so he’d played the role of thecocky prince instead, only succeeding in making her interest in him turn to ashes in her mouth.
The story ended with the she-wolf constantly roaming the lands, always looking for the true love she didn’t know she’d already turned away.
I thought it a fitting story for a high king who showed everyone a false persona.
My pointed toe hit the ground, my leg bent at an angle while my other remained straight, my arms out to my sides, as the music came to a slow stop. A beat of silence, only broken by my panting, terrified me while it hung over us, but it was quickly eclipsed by the rush of screaming cheers that followed. I looked up to see an array of expressions staring back at me. Smiles or stunned looks on some, envy or respect on others, but there was only one expression I cared about.
And it wasn’t the satisfied smile on Lord Carnelian’s face as he nodded to me slightly from the front row.
Azurill’s mouth was slightly open, his eyes widened, but he clapped wholeheartedly along with everyone else. It was enough.
Erodite, I hoped it was enough.
Faiza met me with a broad smile as I stepped off the stage, pulling me into a hug. I stiffened, feeling distinctly like the alley cat I’d grabbed when I’d been a child, all alone and scared in the world. I’d just wanted to cuddle into its soft fur, but the thing had bristled and clawed as it snapped at me with its tiny fangs.
The damn things were adorable yet vicious, and they did not know how to handle any kind of affection.
I made a valiant attempt, however, remembering I was supposed to be Lady Jacinth, not Jac…not even Lady L—no.
No.
We quickly settled in to watch the rest of the competitors, and I couldn’t help the amusement I felt observing the ladies who truly cared about getting the king’s attention, for reasons other than murder anyway.
