Father used to say this important decision told truths about someone’s character.
Anticipation makes my heart race as the drums begin to pound—hard and fast—and my gaze bounces around the tanks while I wait to see which one will drain.
Which creature was she drawn to? I want to know everything about my petal—her strengths, her weaknesses. What makes that tangled mindtick.
The tank containing the electric eels begins to bubble, and dread drops into my stomach like a bag of ice as the creatures disappear through the plinth, then squirm up from the depths of The Bowl.
Fuck.
My gaze slashes to Orlaith’s widening eyes, then to Heira lifting the amplifier to her mouth again. “Let the trial begin!”
The crowd erupts, chanting, punching their fists toward that hole in the ceiling.
I feel myself fall off that excited cliff, plummeting fast. “She chose theeels?” I whisper-hiss, sweaty and fractious, my control fraying by the millisecond.
“I, too, found it interesting. They’re such slippery, silent killers,” Heira says, setting the amplifier back upon the table, hissing a pained sound as she settles beside me. “Did you know, contrary to their name, they are not closely related to other eels but a form of carp? And they actually breatheair.Their very visage is a lie.” She plucks another strawberry, not even bothering to rip off the green before she bites into the ruddy flesh.
This is a fucking disaster.
“No one has ever chosen the eels or the piranha,” I grind out between clenched teeth, trying to keep my lips from moving too much. “Why the fuckwouldthey?”
Heira shrugs, swallowing her mouthful. “Perhaps she feels like she has something to prove?”
I frown, looking at Orlaith—wide-eyed at the edge of The Bowl. All the color has returned to her cheeks, making her look flushed.
“Or perhaps she wasn’t aware thechoicehad such an important role to play?”
Heira cuts me a harsh glare. “Failing to prepare is preparing to fail. A Bahari High Mistress should have foresight inspades.” She takes my hand in hers, and I bite into venomous words as her thumb circles around my knuckle.
I look down at our intertwined fingers, back up into her softening eyes.
“She is in the Gods’ hands now, my boy. If it’s meant to be, she will climb out of that bowl, gain respect from your people, and rule by your side with great honor.Trust the process.”
Her words hammer me into place, making me look at the situation from a different angle. One not governed by my fucking heart.
She’s right …
She always is.
I swallow, giving her a tight nod before lifting her hand and planting a kiss upon her knuckles, then returning my focus to The Bowl.
The Elders edge back.
Orlaith takes two stiff steps toward The Bowl, nostrils flared, chest pumping swift breaths, a glint of fire and fortitude in those orchid eyes.
The crowd murmurs, a restless energy swirling, and I release Heira’s hand,planting my elbows on my knees so I can give my pretty flower my undivided attention.
Orlaith’s stare drops to the stone plinth the empty eel tank is seated on, then moves clockwise. She traces the metal arch spanning The Bowl, her gaze fixing on the rope tied to the highest point—perfectly central—suspending the golden bell atop the body of water.
She looks back at the empty tank before a steely smile touches her lips.
I frown, fisting my hands together, gaze cutting to Heira. Her expression is pensive as she watches the scene with rapt regard.
Orlaith stomps around The Bowl—more endearing than it should be—then stops beside the empty tank, looking past it to cut Heira a glare that sends shivers up my spine.
What is she doing?
My frown deepens, and time seems to stretch.
