Lady Zumra showcased her singing voice. She performed a famous wedding song,of course. The presumption was about what I expected from her.
Lady Safira read the future. She foretold that Azurill would find great love in this competition, and then proceeded to flutter her eyelashes at him. So clearly,thatreading could be trusted.
Lady Allirea read a poem that she’d written. It was surprisingly good and had nothing to do with love, which served as a pleasant break.
Lady Sania showed her skill at reading body language like a born matchmaker. She pulled volunteers onstage to pick apart their thoughts and feelings with astonishing accuracy.
Lady Ophira did a chakra cleansing. There were eight chakras in an Elven body, each corresponding to one of the Sacred Gems. She brought her brother on stage, and we all watched as mist, black as onyx, poured from his ears.
Lady Amatista recited obscure facts. I wouldn’t have thought that a talent, but she had people from the audience shout out different questions they wanted answers to—and shealwayshad an answer. I had no idea if they were correct, but shewasfrom the court of scholars.
When the last competitor finished and left the stage, Azurill stepped up to announce the winner. We were all on the edge of our metaphorical seats as we waited for the result. Faiza’s hand found mine, and instead of finding an excuse to let go, I squeezed it tighter.
“Thank you all for attending this wonderful event, setting off a month’s worth of festivities for the city!” Azurill smiled widely, showing off a perfect smile. The crowd ate up every word he said.They loved him, I realized as I watched them respond eagerly to their king. The knowledge burned, scorching through me like a lava flow. But they didn’t know what kind of monster was hiding beneath that charming veneer.
“All of the ladies have showcased magnificent talents today, haven’t they?” he asked, and the crowd answered with a roaring cheer. “Unfortunately, only one may win. It’s a hard decision, given how brilliantly they all performed. Any ideas for who deserves to win?”
He cupped a hand to his ear dramatically, welcoming the crowd to call out answers back to him. My hand started to sweat as I ground my teeth back and forth in irritation. Was he really going to let the crowd choose?
Listening to the many names being called out, my mind started to change as I realized what was happening. I heard everyone’s names, of course, but my own rose above the din. My heart pounded, and as Azurill glanced over and flashed a smirk at me, I was sure the sound of it must have been audible to everyone present.
“It sounds like we have a winner!” Azurill cheered, his arm flying out to the side toward me. “Lady Jacinth Tawny!”
The crowd never seemed to actually stop making noise, but I suddenly couldn’t hear it. Faiza’s hand squeezed mine before letting go and practically pushing me forward. The movement brought me back to reality with a jarring thud. Just in time to see Azurill’s amused smile as his eyebrow quirked upward.
I set my shoulders back and marched up the stage toward him. He reached out a hand for me, and I reluctantly placed mine into it. My skin sizzled from the contact, and his eyes heated in a way I wanted to run far, far away from.
He lifted our joined hands in the air, and this time I heard the crowd as their whoops and cheers rang out, my name being cried out in excited clamors. I was busy enough during my dance that I didn’t have time to appreciate how overwhelming it was to have so many eyes focused on me. It felt inherently wrong. Staying out of sight had been my primary defense for years, leaving me with no idea how to handle this much attention.
“The next ball we attend, I’m expecting to see some of those moves, my Lady,” Azurill whispered, his voice laced with amusement as he leaned towards me.
“Play your cards right, Your Majesty,” I replied, raising my eyebrows pointedly as I played into my role.
His surprised expression made me laugh, lifting my hand to hide my smile behind it. Azurill shook his head, a defeated smirk rising on his lips.
“Something tells me that things are about to get interesting,” he crooned in my ear, pushing a lock of candy colored hair back behind my ear from where it had once again escaped its hold. Goosebumps broke out along the back of my neck, right where his fingers had grazed as he slowly pulled away.
I had the terrible feeling that he was absolutely right.
Chapter Twelve
Jacinth
Isighed deeply as I woke, snuggling into luxurious blankets and a cloud-soft mattress I couldn’t have dreamed up a few months ago.
Of all the things I’d run from as a child, this might not have been the most heartbreaking, but it was certainly the most backbreaking. I’dmissedthis. Fiercely. Passionately. I was a person who loved sleeping comfortably, but who ended up sleeping on the ground more often than not. It was the cruelest of ironies.
I’d probably agree to assassinate anyone for a chance to sleep in one of these beds forever. Well, maybe not anyone—but close.
A knock sounded on my door, making me groan as I forced myself out of the warm and inviting cocoon of soft red sheets. I threw on the grey and red velvet robe that came with the room to make my way to the door. They’d really thought of everything. Every luxury I could think of was in this suite; enough that I’d never have to leave, outside the competitions, if I didn’t want to.
Someone obviously did want me to, however, as the knocking continued. I threw open my bedroom door to find Alfrikr, looking grumpier than usual with a scowl marring his uniquely handsome features.
“What’s wrong?” I asked wearily, leaning against the doorframe as a yawn overtook me.
“What’s wrong is I’ve been turned into a delivery service,” he groaned, stepping back and waving a hand toward the table in the living room. My eyes went wide as I took in the giant basket sitting on the black marble dining table.
“What is this?” I questioned him hesitantly.
