I am the only female competing in the tournament, and the guard has never been known to welcome female soldiers amongst their ranks. That alone will put a huge target on my back. The men competing will see me and think I am weak. I try to tell myself that underestimating me will be their first mistake, but inside, I am working to keep myself from shaking due to the adrenaline.
Behind me, a horse snorts a breath. I turn to watch a puff of white smoke escape from its dark nostrils. I’m quickly reminded that I’ve never so much as touched a fucking horse. I’ve seen them on occasion, pulling a royal carriage or some member of nobility.
That is the extent of my experience with the beasts. What made me think I might be capable of jousting? They are huge, solid creatures, and I don’t know the first thing about making one move.
That, along with the added pressure of knowing the Rhiza are lurking out there, watching, waiting for me to murder a fellow contestant, has me strongly considering taking myself out of the games entirely.
But I have no choice. This tournament is my key to discovering how to save Lukasia and ending our suffering. And now the Rhiza are threatening Phillipa’s life if I don’t take out their little problem.
My stomach turns at the thought of committing murder. He might deserve death for being a traitorous rebel, but that doesn’t mean I’m thrilled to be the one to do it. I’m a healer, for fuck’s sake.
“You have got to stop that,” Phil tells me, waving a handkerchief in my face.
I grab it from her, stilling her arm. “What?”
She purses her lips. “The staring. You haven’t stopped staring at that mystery man from last night since he walked into your line of sight.”
“I’m not staring.” Pulling my eyes from where he stands across the crowd is a challenge. I don’t want to lose track of him for even a second, but I manage to look at Phillipa.
“All I’m saying is, if you’re distracted, you’re not going to do well in your events today. Put your game face on!”
She’s right. I need to focus. There is too much at stake to let any distractions in.
Getting into the Queen’s Guard is more important to me than ever now.
The closer I can get to Queen Daphne, the better my chances are of stopping any assassination attempts. I will earn the other soldiers’ respect after I prove myself in these events. As long as they don’t catch me murdering a fellow contestant.
Gods, this is so much more complicated than it had been just a few nights ago.
“I mean, not that I can blame you.” She pulls at the front of her dress. “He is rather nice to look at.”
“That’s not why I’m … Never mind.” It’s useless to argue, and I don’t want to pull her any further into this mess.
Phil gasps and I jump in response, clenching my teeth when I realize there is no imminent danger.
“What?” I demand of her.
She grabs my arm, pulling a little harder than necessary to bring my ear to her. “Do you think he’s the lost prince?”
My eyes search the heavens as I compose myself. Trying not to sound too irritated, I say, “The chances of that are lower than me getting into the guard. Or finding a wild animal roaming in the woods. Or … ”
“Okay, I get it. Way to crush a girl’s dreams.” Phil pouts, and I almost feel guilty for spoiling her fun.
“What’s your first event?” she asks as I start to read through the schedule posted outside the canvas tent.
My shoulders drop.
Damn. Blade throwing is first.
A knot tightens in the back of my throat, and I work to swallow it down. I’m decent enough, but it’s not my strongest skill. It usually takes me a while to warm up.
I point to the event, and Phil frowns.
“Well, at least you’ll get it out of the way. I’m going to find a good seat. Go kick some ass, Rina!” She hugs me, and I soak it in. She’s the only person I allow this close. Without her, my life would lose its vibrance and warmth. I would never have survived this long if I hadn’t had her encouragement and love. I squeeze her a little tighter before letting go.
And then I watch her weave through the crowd, smiling and waving and making small talk here and there as she goes.
When she’s out of sight, I head for where they’ve set up practice targets in the field and return to scanning my surroundings for any sign of danger.
