Page 125 of The Fae Girl 1

Nela was frowning but when I met her eyes she replaced it with a look of indifference.

I turned back to Mira. “Are you sure?”

“Positive.” She said beaming.

God I hoped so because if this was too much, if this was a faux pas, everyone would see it.

I walked behind Nela and Indi. More guards were around us than I’d seen before. Eight up front and eight behind. Clearly they weren’t taking any chances today.

I could feel stares as I passed through the castle. I knew I was still an oddity, a curiosity even, but it still made me uncomfortable.

Our box was right in the middle of the arena. With a perfect view of the field below. We climbed the stairs up with silk drapes concealing us from the general public. Most of my guards dropped back which I took to mean we were in less danger here.

That I was in less danger.

By the time we reached it Mira was out of breath and Nela was teasing her about it, suggesting she needed to come training with us. Mira pulled a face and Indi pointed out that she probably had enough training with Ridley which made us all laugh.

As I looked around my eyes landed on the High King. He was sat beside a red headed girl who seemed more than happy to keep his attention.

Around them both, servants seemed to flit, making sure their drinks were filled. That refreshments were on hand.

I turned before he noticed me staring, casting my eye over the other boxes. With relief I saw ladies wearing similar dresses to mine. Some far more revealing in fact. I guess Mira had been right after all.

A horn blasted and the crowd that had been buzzing with noise only seconds earlier fell silent. Someone shouted out, announcing the two first riders, though the names meant nothing to me.

A man stood hanging the banners of them both on a large pole for everyone who hadn’t heard to know who was up.

When they both appeared my breath caught. It looked like something out of a movie scene. Something too surreal to believe was true. Both riders walked up to the High King’s stand, bowing. The one on the left veered off and as he lowered his lance a lady stood, wearing a deep dark purple taffeta gown, placing what I assumed was a piece of silk on the very tip. He bowed his head, reaching for it and held it up before tucking it safely under his breastplate.

It was hard not to laugh. It all seemed too ridiculous. Too much of a show to be real.

The second rider veered right. Not seeking any lady’s favour but took position ready to strike.

As another horn blasted out they both charged. Hurtling at each other with such speed I could barely keep up. They crashed into the other with their lances. And the man with the lady’s favour went flying off, much to the disappointment of the crowd.

He landed with a thump. His horse, still continuing on as if his rider was still there, and a stable boy jumped out grabbing the reins to pull it to a stop.

As the fallen man was helped off a man climbed the side of a great black board and put an ‘x’ by one of the names.

The second set of jousters was even worse. One of the horses was thrown and the noise it made as it fell made me cover my face.

“It’s fine.” Nela murmured. “It’s up and walking.”

I peeked a look and saw she was right.

“This is barbaric.” I said.

She smirked. “It’s not as bad as it looks.”

“Well it looks pretty fucking awful.”

She laughed. So did Indi.

As Mira squealed we all turned to look. Though I should have guessed who was there.

Ridley sat at one end. Despite the armour it was easy to see it was him. He approached the High King’s box, making sure to bow low and then he turned his head, looking for Mira.

She stood, reaching over and produced a piece of silk which he kissed dramatically and tucked away.

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