I did not move to escape, or bother to run. Instead, I allowed the flames to envelop me. I felt their hotness as the flames licked away at my clothes and flesh. I could feel my flesh melting, skin bubbling as the flames ate into my eyes and innards. In moments, I became a pyre, and my body was charred away into nothing but ash, my bones cracking at the heat.
I was being burned alive, each part of me seared away by the fire’s embrace. I did not scream, however. I remained silent, and let the fire do its job. The pain was brutal, more intense than anything I’d ever experienced.
Yet it was nothing compared to the thought of losing my mate. I would soon join her in the Underworld, if that’s where she was, for where she went, I would follow. From the pit, the child rose again, skin new and eyes vibrant with life.
I ceased to cry out as my body fell forward. My spirit gave way, spiraling into darkness as the palace was consumed by flame.
I began to stir,which was so odd, because I truly believed that I was dead. Ifeltthe flames— I’d experienced every inch of brutal agony as they devoured my skin and turned my bones to dust, and succumbed to a slow and painful death.
But I hadn’t screamed. I hadn’t run from it or allowed myself to beg for mercy. I had let the flames to lick up my body and consume me wholly without complaint, for that was my sacrifice for my mate and my country.
And apparently, because I had not given in, I had passed into the realm of paradise.
Emma was hovering above me. The sight of her green eyes caused me to feel nothing but relief.
I noticed voices around us, and realized that I had not died. My vision had merely been a part of the Trial. None of it was real. It had merely been a test by the gods. It appeared we both had passed.
Emma helped me as I slowly got to my feet. The members of the Circle were aghast, shocked that we’d kept our sanity during the process. The gods must’ve held favor with me. I couldn’t believe that I’d experienced such torture within the flames, and yet was able to keep my mind. The pain was gone, but it still resonated, a memory I’d carry with me for the rest of my life.
The priestesses had drawn back from the Sacred Gathering, hiding within the sanctity of the trees. Stefan cleared his throat.
“Well, let’s get on with the vote, then,” he said. “I say—”
“Hold on,” Lord Gray said, and he cut Stefan off. “They might’ve passed the Trial of Tears, but that doesn’t mean they’ve earned their place on the throne. We still have to hold a Trial of Competency, and prove that they have the right motives for wanting to run this country.”
“We do not need to host a Trial of Competency,” Lady Magdalina said harshly. “Ethan Nowak and Emmaline Sosna have proven themselves by drinking the nectar, and therefore, I daresay we take a vote.”
“I beg your pardon, Lady Magdalina, but I think with the situation being what it is, we can’t be too careful as to who we decide to put on the throne,” Lady Elowen spoke up. “The previous Circle made a dire mistake approving the last monarchs, and we can’t afford to make the same error. They may have proven themselves to the gods during the Trial of Tears, but they still need to prove themselves tous.”
Magdalina scowled, but I’d been expecting this. I knew this wasn’t going to be an easy task. Far from it.
“We can’t hold a proper Trial of Competency,” Lord Bennett objected. “King Elijah was given the king’s medallion during the last Trial of Competency, and without it, we cannot hold one. It is a relic that has been passed down through the monarchy for centuries. To even endorse a new king without the medallion is sacrilegious in itself.”
“Actually… I have it,” I admitted. I dug in my pocket, and held out the wolven sapphire stone that had been my father’s. “I was supposed to pass it onward to King Elijah during his Trial of Competency, but I admit that I forged a fake, and gave it to him. This is the real sapphire.”
“And you expect us to install someone on the throne who is a liar and a cheat,” Lord Gray said coldly. “You’re already proving to be dismally dishonest.”
I knew keeping that medallion would come back to bite me in the ass someday. Disapproval shone on the faces of several Circle members, and I knew I’d just lost us favor.
I opened my mouth to defend myself, but I remained speechless. There was nothing that I could say that would condone my actions. I had been bitter when I had withheld the medallion from Elijah, and that bitterness was costing us now.
But Emma stepped before me, and lifted her head. “Ethan is not who he once was,” she insisted. “He has grown, and he has changed. And so I have I. I am willing to lay my life down for this country. We both are.”
“That is nothing. King Elijah died for Malovia before he ruined it,” Lady Renia said. “Why will you be any different?”
Emma jutted out her chin. “I am not Queen Gabriella. I am my own woman. I know I’m a foreigner, and an outsider. I cheated to win the King’s Contest. In the past, I have manipulated, schemed, and lied. It’s not surprising that so few of you wish to come to our side. But who I was then and who I am now is different. There is more to my story than you know, and it is my purpose on this earth to save Malovia, as deemed by the gods.”
“Tell us your ideas for a greater Malovia, then.” Lord Eryk crossed his arms. “If you can win us to your vision, perhaps we will endorse you. But if we can’t get behind you, notfully, then you might as well go home now. I won’t ally myself with a king and queen who will destroy what little of the country there is left.”
Emma waited for me to take initiative. I straightened my shoulders and said, “All fae fear one thing— the arrival of another Great Supernatural War. My cousin was pushing for such a result, and he nearly succeeded. I know that the balance between peace and war is very thin between the supernatural races. We can’t afford to offend the witches further. When I am king, I will attempt to make amends, and seek an alliance with the Miriamic Coven.”
“You want to make an alliance withwitches? They’ll never say yes,” Lady Bella said skeptically.
“But we have to try,” I insisted. “It’s never been done before, and I for one am tired of looking over my shoulder, waiting for another conflict between our races to start again. Aren’t the rest of you?”
There was a mutter of agreement. Stefan spoke up. “The security of our country should be a top priority,” he said. “We can’t win a civil war while fighting the witches, too. An alliance with the Miriamic Coven is a good plan.”
“That’s something we could do without you,” Lady Ursa added. “Why should we install you, specifically, as king? What doyouhave to offer us?”
