“You did an amazing job today, Mini-Dite.” He smirked slightly, but the honesty in his eyes, not to mention his voice, threw me completely.
I cleared my throat uncomfortably, looking down. “Zumra and Safira still beat me here.”
He scoffed, shaking his head. “I’m certain their families would have assumed the Forest of Discontent would be included in some way and trained them on how to get out.”
“Isn’t that cheating?” I asked, my brows scrunching together.
“Technically—no.” He smiled ruefully, a sad look in his eyes. “It would certainly make my life easier if I could eliminate them for cheating, though.” I couldn’t help the chuckle I let out, a smile creeping up on my face.
“Why, Veri,” I gasped dramatically, putting a hand over my heart as if in shock. “Are you telling me you aren’t enjoying the attentions of two such noble ladies?”
His laugh was bright and loud enough that I could feel Zumra’s glare like a concentrated beam of light focused directly on my head, trying to burn its way through.
I couldn’t begin to reconcile the man before me with the image I’d had of him my whole life. How could this warm and charming man be the same one who ruthlessly ordered the murder of my family?
“I find that the longer I’m forced to endure their presence, the shorter my patience grows, if you can believe it,” he leaned in to whisper in my ear.
My smile grew as he pulled back, and I opened my mouth to respond when Prince Ruri appeared by his side. I stiffened, sobering immediately with the knowledge that the prince was the one I needed to be careful of. His testing was too pointed for comfort.
I didn’t know what would be worse: him finding out who I really am or finding out why I was actually here.
“Lady Jacinth, congratulations on overcoming the second trial.” Prince Ruri smiled brightly as he handed me a glass of sparkling blue champagne. I took it carefully and tipped it against his glass as he congratulated me. “You must be very proud.”
“I’m certainly pleased to have gotten out with my life intact anyway,” I told him with a wry smile. Azurill chuckled, laying an arm across his brother’s shoulders.
“I was very impressed with your control in the obstacle course. How did you learn such resilience?” Prince Ruri asked me, his eyes boring into mine.
I forced myself to smile despite wanting to throw my glass of champagne in both of their faces.
“Unfortunately,the world is an unkind place, full of unkind people, Prince Ruri.” I stood, meeting his eyes. “I hope you never have to learn in the same way.”
Something told me it was a slim chance.
Chapter Twenty
Jacinth
The long wait for everyone to arrive back from the trial was agonizing. Faiza clearly kept to her wish to be dead last, and it was nearing time to retire without her having returned.
“Everyone, thank you all for coming to today’s trial!” Azurill said, getting the crowd’s attention from where they were all split up into small groups across the large, colorful courtyard.
The wall of the courtyard itself was made of solid diamond, and inside were benches made of every type of gem one could think of. Flowers were planted throughout or hung down in bunches, while vines crawled across one of the diamond walls.
“We are still waiting on our last competitor, but we have reached the cut-off. Lady Faiza Nabhas will be eliminated.” He announced, causing the crowd to titter with excitement.
Zumra’s satisfied smile had me narrowing my eyes in a glare at her until Amatista elbowed me, shaking her head. I sighed, turning my attention back to the king.
“Our next trial will be a bit different, and I’m sorry to say, done without an audience,” Azurill smirked as the disappointed moans rang out. “For the ladies remaining, you will be assigned a time slot before you leave tonight. Make sure to see Lady Arianell before you retire to obtain it so you can plan appropriately.”
He waved his arm to indicate the lady in question, and she waved from where she stood, her opal hair shining under the light of the moon and complemented by her teal gown.
“Your trial will be a date with yours truly.” His wide smile seemed only the slightest bit forced as he glanced around at each of the ladies competing. “You will need to plan the date entirely, which Arianell, Emrys, and your guards can all help you with. I can’t wait for the opportunity to spend some quality time with each of you, and see what you all come up with.”
The crowd oohed and awed, but I rolled my eyes. A date? What kind of date could I come up with to impress the High King?
As everyone began to scatter, I stood up to find Lady Arianell, only to be accosted by Casaan. His black jacket was encrusted with red rubies, and a trail of diamonds connected the two buttons by his collar.
“Lady Jacinth,” he greeted with that smarmy charm of his, “Lady Amatista.” He bowed his head to her, and she greeted him politely in turn, with only the slightest downturn of her lips as she looked between us and eyed the tight hold he had taken of my arm.
