“Only because we’re trying to ensure your healing,” Vivian’s vibrant blue fairy says primly, fluttering over to fluff her pillow.
Mariel leans forward, her tone hushed but urgent. “There’s going to be another Trial. Soon. A month from now.”
“And until then,” Cassy adds, “we’re each required to spend a full day—and night—with the king.”
Vivian’s brows lift. “Excuse me?”
“It’s on a weekly rotation,” I explain. “We get to choose our day of the week—one day for each of us. Except Sunday. That one’s his choice.”
“And because Fire finished first,” Cassy adds, “she gets to pick first.”
I exhale, the weight of it pressing again on my chest.
Vivian’s eyes narrow. “That sounds more like a setup than a reward.”
“I agree,” I murmur.
“They’re already plotting,” Mariel tells us. “Seraphina’s aiming for Saturday. Elena wants Monday. They think it’ll double their chances of being chosen again on Sunday.”
“They’re ambitious,” Cassy says darkly.
“They’re dangerous,” I say. We glance at Vivian, neither daring to say what we’re all thinking.
Mariel, however, is blunt. “What happened to you wasn’t an accident. We all know it.”
My stomach twists. “If we choose days that threaten their plans, I’m afraid it could put even bigger targets on our backs.”
“But if we let them have their days,” Mariel finishes, “they’ll be too distracted to even notice what we’re really doing.”
I meet her gaze. “Exactly.”
Vivian frowns. “Doing? What are we doing?”
I hesitate. “I had a vision in the lake,” I admit.
Vivian picks at her breakfast, listening silently. Good; she needs her strength.
“A strange woman spoke to me.” I continue. “It was some sort of riddle… or… premonition.When hope is ash and faith undone, a heart of thorns and flames must become one. Find the truth and unlock the past before the crimson glow haspassed. Life to death, and death to life—break the curse, or pay the price,” I recite, already knowing the words by heart. “I need answers. Mariel suggested looking in the library, but I can’t find them alone. Not with all eyes on me.”
“You won’t be alone,” Mariel says, lifting her chin. “We’ll help you.”
Vivian nods, slow but firm. “If the curse can be broken, then we have to break it—by any means necessary.”
“Seraphina and Elena will be hard to outsmart,” Cassy says nervously. “They want the king more than anyone else.”
Something shifts between us. Not just friendship. An alliance.
Vivian smiles—slow and tired, but real. “Let them chase him. We’ll chase the truth.”
I smile back.
“So,” Mariel says, “what day will you pick, then?”
I glance toward the window. The moonlight filters in like a silent promise. “Wednesday.”
That night at dinner, the other girls make their choices known. To no one’s surprise, Seraphina claims Saturday, practically glowing with the hope that the king will choose her again on Sunday. Elena is next, snatching up Monday for the same reason. She tosses her hair and pretends not to glance my way. Mariel chooses Thursday, just to get it over with. Cassy picks Tuesday, which leaves Friday for Vivian.
And Sunday—his day.
