Opposite the field, Emma was shaking hands with Margot. Margot seemed similarly genuine, although more disappointment shone behind her gaze than Philip’s. If anything, he seemed relieved.
“I hope you win the Contest. If you can beat me, you deserve it.” Philip let out a sigh. “Now I can get my father off my back. Pesky dragon families, you know?”
As Philip walked off, Emma ran at me. She jumped into my arms and flung her own around me. “Ethan! We won the joust!”
“That we did.” I spun her around and held her close. I swore I’d gotten my wings right then as she clung me tightly to her. This had to be what flying felt like.
I put her back down on the ground. Her hands rested on my shoulders as she said, “I’m glad you’re not hurt. Though my arm really freaking hurts.”
“We can have Lord Lucien look at it back at the tent,” I said. “For now, let’s get some food in you. You need to keep up your strength.”
I put my arm around her as we left the Field. Only three more rounds to go.
Yet each round after this would only get more difficult. This was just the beginning.
Chapter Twenty-Two
Emma
We’d gotten past the first round, but I’d almost gotten killed out there. Miss Dragon Lady had nearly smoked me with one of her bombs. Lord Lucien said my arm was fine, but I wouldn’t be able to move it much tomorrow. He cast an illusion spell to trick my brain into thinking it was okay, so I could use it like normal during the competition without feeling any pain. It would last until the Contest was over, then I’d pay for it the next day.
Ethan had told me I’d made fighting Margot look easy, but I hardly believed him. A couple of those magical balls had fried my hair as they whizzed past. If Margot was the easiest thing to get past in this competition, then we were in trouble.
I was embarrassed about my breakdown earlier. I had to pull myself together. I had completely lost my shit while watching the joust.
I couldn’t do that again. I needed to be strong. For the rest of the tournament, I wasn’t going to show one bit of fear, no matter what happened. I was here. Time to stop crying about it and win.
Though I was afraid we couldn’t win. Not without a little bit of help.
Ethan had ducked out of the tent for a moment to talk to Lucien. I kneeled before the trunk and opened it. I ruffled through the clothes inside and pulled out a small black box that I’d snuck in under my cloak. I checked over my shoulder to make sure no one was watching, then opened it.
The dark necklace— the one I’d stolen from Lady Korva. I’d snuck it out of my dorm this morning and into the tourney tent before anyone noticed. I’d only brought it just in case, and left it behind during the first round, but now it was clear we needed an edge.
I didn’t want to cheat, but this competition was way harder than I thought it would be. There was too much at stake here. Our lives were on the line— not to mention the fate of the country. Ethan and I had to use every advantage we could get.
Queen Antonia told me there’d be big problems if I didn’t make sure Ethan won. She’d make me pay if we didn’t get that crown. She’d go after my mom, my friends… everyone I loved.
Not to mention there was the problem of Elijah and Gabby. They’d run Krystyna through without flinching during the joust. They’d even seemedhappyabout it. It was so sick and twisted. If they could do something so horrible to her, just to get past the first round of the Contest, there was no telling how they’d ruin the country if they got in control of it.
They didn’t care about people. All they cared about was power.
And people would die if Gabby and Elijah won. Which I wasn’t willing to risk.
I had no choice. My magic wasn’t strong enough to work on its own. I was only a First Year, for crying out loud.
Then came the worst consequence of all. Ethan. I needed to keep him alive. I would do anything—anything— to get him through this Contest in one piece. Whether we won or not, this was a deadly competition. If there were personal consequences to me for saving his life, so be it.
Was Unseelie magic really all that bad? I wasn’t convinced that it was. All my professors had beat it into my head that Unseelie magic couldn’t be trusted, but maybe they were close-minded. Still… Ethan had warned me there were harsh consequences for Seelie fae using dark magic. Was this Contest worth the risk?
Milonna, help me,I pleaded.Tell me what to do.
I got no response from the goddess herself. This was a hopeless decision. Just as I was about to put the necklace back, I turned toward the head of the tent, and my heart leapt into my throat.
It was the hag… the one who had told me I was the Worldweaver. She still appeared as formidable and harrowing as ever— I felt a shiver run up my skin as I took in her frightening appearance. How had she gotten in here? She’d come instantly, silent, appearing in my tent with no forewarning.
My prayer. Milonna must’ve sent her. I extended my hand, revealing to her the dark necklace.
“What should I do? What are Milonna’s instructions?” I asked the hag. “Should I use Unseelie magic, or not?”
