Or, at the very least, who would determine the teams they would break into, which would, in some way or another, change the course of the Centennial by forcing alliances.
Each trial was also a risk. Though killing was not permitted until after the fiftieth day, Isla’s own ancestor had lost one of her hands during a demonstration. It had weakened her ability to wield power significantly, and she was forced to have a child after the Centennial ended, as a better representative for the next one.
Grim’s voice rumbled through the applause, silencing the room.
“Welcome to my demonstration,” he said, somewhere. She couldn’t place him—it was as if his voice was coming from everywhere at once. “You are all very menacingwithyour endless powers ... but how will you fare without them?”
He announced the first pair—Oro against Azul.
The king’s sword was made of solid gold to match his priceless armor. Isla wondered if the duel would end up embarrassing the king in front of his people, and the thought nearly made her smile. She had never heard anything of the king’s fighting abilities in her years of lessons, which might mean he relied heavily on his fire instead.
Azul’s own weapon was covered in precious jewels, sapphires mixed with diamonds. He didn’t wear armor at all; much of his chest was exposed. But hedidwear the ring she had gifted him. Was he so good he didn’t require protection?
Both of Isla’s assessments were wrong.
The duel finished within seconds. The king struck so quickly, she almost missed it. One moment, the tip of his sword was dug into the gravel of the arena—the next, it was at the Skyling’s throat.
Azul only smiled graciously and bowed, admitting defeat.
Sunlings were on their feet, roaring in approval, waving long lengths of golden fabric above their heads.
Celeste and Cleo were next.
Isla’s manicured nails dug into her palm, watching her friend enter the arena. The Moonling wore a serpentine grin. She didn’t wear armor either, but she had opted for pants. Her weapon was long and thin like an ice pick.
Celeste held her sword steadily. Isla had chosen a lighter one for her friend, one that would be easy to maneuver by someone who didn’t have extensive training. Her silver hair was plaited, stuck firmly to her scalp.
At the bell, Cleo lunged—
“Nervous, Hearteater?”
Grim’s voice was at her ear. She didn’t dare take her eyes off the action. Cleo had missed Celeste’s arm by inches, and her friend had just unsuccessfully struck back.
“Don’t call me that,” she said quietly, wincing as Celeste nearly tripped right into Cleo’s blade.
It was like she could hear the grin in Grim’s words as he said, “Is that the thanks I get for my help?”
She spared him a quick withering look, retort on her tongue, and—
Froze. Grim was a fearsome warrior. He wore a helmet of spikes like daggers that shot from the crown of his skull. One dipped between his eyes, shielding his nose. His shoulders had the same sharp metal points that ran down the lengths of his arms, spikes everywhere.
He was a demon, death itself.
She swallowed. He watched the movement, staring at her neck far too intently, before almost absentmindedly baring his teeth,like he wanted to bite her there. Her skin inexplicably prickled at the thought.
No, that’s disgusting.Isla forced herself to get it together. He didn’t want to bite her. That was just in her head.
Why was that in her head?
The ringing of a bell tore her attention away, back to the arena.
Celeste’s sword was on the ground. Cleo’s blade was tapping recklessly against the Starling’s heart. Then, it too dropped to the floor.
Relief washed over her. Celeste had lost, but that didn’t matter. They both planned to perform adequately. Not badly enough to be marked as weak, but not strong enough to be chosen as a partner. While they couldn’t control the pairings that would be decided on the twenty-fifth day unless they won the most trials—which would instantly identify them as competition to be potentially eliminated—they were relying on the fact that whoeverdidwin would pair the youngest, most inexperienced rulers together. It would be the smartest choice, they reasoned, tying the weakest links together as easy prey for the rest of the matches.
Don’t draw too much attention to yourself,Celeste had warned.
“Our turn, Hearteater,” Grim said before strolling past her into the ring.
