Normally, I don’t mind the noise as much. It drowns out my thoughts. However, my nerves have been on edge since yesterday, and I’m not sure why.
“You’re extra grumpy today.” Calder’s blue eyes observe me, concern creeping into his tone. “Everything alright?”
Leaning on the bar, I rub my eyes. “Didn’t sleep much last night. Strange dreams again.”
His brow furrows, but before he can reply, the door chimes and the tavern finally quiets as though someone snuffed a flame.
A royal guard strides inside. An unusual sight anywhere. But in a small village tavern? Unheard of.
“Can I help you?” I ask carefully.
The man nods, his wavy brown hair half pulled into a bun. “I am looking for Koen Moriver.”
“That’s me.”
“I’m Torin Virel of the Royal Guard. I’ve been sent to escort you to the capital.”
I blink. “…Excuse me?”
“You have been chosen as one of the six contestants inthe Trials of the Fated.”
What?The words slam into me like a punch to the ribs.
I laugh, sharp and humorless. “There’s been a mistake. I never—” I pause, shaking my head. “I didn’t sign up.”
Torin’s expression doesn’t change as he shrugs. “Your name is on the royal registry. It has been approved. You’ve been summoned.”
My mouth opens, then closes again. All eyes in the tavern are on us. “I can’t just leave. I have a job here and—”
“Koen, can I talk to you for a second?” Calder cuts in, voice tight.
I whip toward him, stomach sinking in realization. “Calder…”
He raises his hands, guilty. “Don’t be mad. I was having a drink with Alistair a few weeks ago, and…well, there was this group of men talking about signing up. They talked a lot about the princess. And let’s just say they weren’t being very…respectful. I got angry. Punched one of them. Alistair had to drag me away. We drank more. Then…” He winces and rakes his fingers through his messy chestnut hair. “We wrote a short letter saying you wanted to participate in the trials and paid some guy to take it to the palace.”
I stare, stunned. “You got drunk…and entered me into a royal competition?”
“We thought you’d be a better option than those bastards!”
“Why not sign yourselves up?”
“Oh, come on, Koen. You know I would not make a good king. Even if Iamthe strongest,” he adds with a grin.
I shoot him a look that says I’m considering murder, and his smile fades.
“Look, I can take care of the tavern just fine without you. Just…trust me.”
“What if I don’t want—”
“You’ve been summoned. I don’t think you have a choice,” Calder says, glancing toward Torin.
The guard only shakes his head.
“How long do I have?” I ask tightly.
Torin glances outside at the sinking sun. “We depart within the hour.”
Calder follows me upstairs as I go to pack. I don’t have much, so it won’t take long. I start shoving things into a satchel. My anger feels like it may boil over, and it’s taking everything in me not to rip the satchel. The Trials of the Fated?They signed me up for a royal trial that could lead to marriage to Princess Serenya or…death. Neither option sounds pleasant.
