“Do you think the king is behind it?”
Celeste frowned. “I’m not sure. But I don’t trust him at all.”
Neither did Isla. Even if he had saved her the first day of the Centennial. After their duel, she was willing to bet he didn’t trust her either.
“That’s not the only thing,” Celeste said, and Isla braced herself for an added obstacle. “Moonling has also been acting oddly. My nobles said they have guards on their bridge every day.Allday.”
Isla cursed. How was she supposed to sneak onto Moon Isle and search its library with guards at its entrance?
She was allowed to enter, but her movements would surely be shared with Cleo.
Who would immediately become suspicious.
“Did you check?” Isla asked.
Celeste nodded. Her friend was always thorough. “I went for a stroll along that part of the isle and confirmed it. Two guards, right at the front, checking everyone in.”
Two Moonlings would not stand between them and their plan.
“I’ll find a way,” Isla said, eager to help after her display at the duel.
And hoping it wasn’t just one more promise she couldn’t keep.
CHAPTER NINE
CROWN
Thankfully for Isla, the rulers did not dine together every meal. Some nights, Celeste, Azul, Cleo, and Oro ate on their isles. Others, they ate separately in their chambers. Group dinners were preceded by an invitation and were awkward affairs, for Isla especially, since she would sit with an empty plate in front of her. Ever since their first dinner, eight days ago now, the king had honored her request to eat in her room. Wildlings only needed a heart or two a month to survive, yet weekly hearts were to be provided—and quickly disposed of in secret.
Cleo’s constant insults also made dinners uncomfortable. The Moon-ling had made her distaste for her well-known, ever since that first meal when Isla had foolishly bitten back. She had regretted it ever since, especially when Celeste’s eyes would meet hers, a reminder of why it was important to stay under the radar.
Unnoticed. Unremarkable.
Isla was about to enter the dining room for one of these group dinners when she stopped suddenly.
There were too many voices inside. Dozens.
The doors opened by someone else’s hands, revealing a room filled with nobles from every Lightlark realm. Many turned to watch Isla, fear and curiosity in a battle across their features, studying her as carefully and critically as a jeweler searching for flaws in a diamond.
Every one of Poppy’s lessons pummeled into her head at once.
Back straight.
Chin up.
Shoulders down.
Look right ahead—pay them no mind.
Fingers relaxed at your sides.
This was clearly a demonstration. Whoever had planned it had decided only to invite Lightlark’s nobles.
No invitation had preceded it. There were often surprises during the Centennial.You must be prepared for anything,Terra had told her.
Demonstrations were opportunities for the rulers to assess each other. To decide who was weak. To potentially win the power to choose the pairs that would work the remainder of the Centennial to figure out the prophecy.
Isla racked her head for what kind of trial this could be. Her guardians had a list of demonstrations from past Centennials. Some were more elaborate than others. Quests. Challenges to tame a wild beast. Scavenger hunts, even. Tests of physical strength, or strategy, or the mind.
