Inside the palace, my smile falters as I hear footsteps jog to catch up. Alira slips to my side.
“I’m sorry, Ren,” she murmurs.
“What is therealreason he’s so angry with me?” I lower my voice, wary of the guard trailing us. “It can’t just be because I was gone for a few weeks.”
Her lips press into a thin line. “It is…,” she says slowly. “He thinks you were with…He thinks you were in Noctheron. He found a scroll with that kingdom’s seal in your chambers, asking you to meet.”
She won’t even speak Dimitri’s name. Once, the six of us had been like family. Now, she won’t say it aloud.
“And he thinks you’re betraying…” Shehesitates, but I know who she means. “…by spending time with the man responsible for his death.”
The words hang in the air.
When I stay silent, she adds quickly, “Torin just cares about you. He doesn’t want you hurt. It’s his duty to know where you are and protect you at all times. We can’t trust the vampires, Ren.”
I stop short, turning to her. “Alira, I love you, but you’re wrong. He may care about me, but that’s not what this is. Whenwe lost Kallan, Torindecidedit was his duty to protect me for his fallen friend. He asked to take Kallan’s place as my guard, not because of me, but because he felt like he owed it toKallanto keep me safe. And I understand. I do. That’s why I’ve let it go all these years without saying anything. But that doesn’t give him the right to speak to me the way he has this week.”
“Because you’re to be queen?” she asks softly.
My jaw clenches.Why are they both so focused on that?“No. Because I’m a person. Hisfriend. He should trust that I know what I’m doing.” I sigh. “Dimitri saved me. I was with him because I almost died, and hesavedme. Just like he did twenty-eight years ago.”
The moment hangs heavy between us until a familiar, booming voice cuts through.
“Ah, Princess Serenya! Well done today. You and Sir Koen put the others to shame.”
Lord Ceryn, my uncle, strides toward us, all cheer as usual.
SirKoen. In that single word, he is no longer a tavern worker, but a warrior in the eyes of the court. Why does that fill me with such warmth?
I paste on a polite smile. “Thank you.”
“Headed to the meeting?”
I nod.
“As am I. May I walk with you?”
“That would be lovely.”
He turns to his daughter, eyes softening in a way only a father's do. “I’ll see you at dinner, Lira.”
I don’t look back at her as we walk away.
The palace corridors glow with evening light. When we reach the council chamber, I dismiss Gaius with thanks and let my uncle lead me to my place at the table.
Once all are seated, my mother speaks. “With stage two of the third trial complete, we must begin planning for the Divine Ceremony and the royal wedding.”
My breath catches. I’d almost forgotten. In only a few weeks, I am to marry. If Koen succeeds in the last trial, it will be him. I will choose him without hesitation. But would he want it? He hadn’t even chosen to be here. His friend had signed him up, and once he was chosen, the summons left him no choice. What if he wants to stay human instead of receiving Phynnera’s blessing, ultimately turning him fae? What if he only wants to go home? Not that anyone in this room would give him the option.
“Serenya?” My mother’s voice cuts through my thoughts.
I blink. “I apologize. Can you repeat that?”
“Asbel and Lioran. They failed. They passed the battle and the puzzles, but Lioran chose himself at the end. Meaning, when you and Koen complete the final stage, he will be the chosen.”
My stomach somersaults.
I force myself to remain steady. “And what of Asbel and Lioran?”
