Page 37 of Trial of Thorns
I wonder if that’s the real reason she is upset at my on-time-ness. She thinks I’m avoiding her. I was, but I don’t want her to be suspicious of my motives.
“I’m sorry if I crossed a line,” she says, sitting in the cushioned chair, her shoulders slumped. The crackling fire beneath the stone chimney dims to a dull, low flame.
“Not at all,” I say quickly. “No... Well, it took me by surprise, but I recognize how... advantageous it would be.”
She smiles, though her eyes remain dim. Light amber, pretty but without its usual luster.
Don’t alienate your best ally, Rev. “What would you think about accompanying me to the ball tomorrow?” I spit out.
Her smile turns wicked, and of all the reactions she could have, I like that one the best. The mischievous expression twists my belly in a way her usual sweet demeanor never could.
Maybe I could get over my aversion to her after all.
She nods in acceptance.
“Now, about this challenge,” I say, changing the subject. “What have you heard and from whom?”
“My pix friend overheard the queen speaking with her advisors about the lack of physical exertion the second challenge will hold.”
She has a pixie playing spy for her, does she?
I nod. “Some of the courts have expressed worry that two physically intense challenges so close together could spell disaster. Of course, I say that would simply test our resolve and endurance thoroughly. It still doesn’t surprise me that they would vary the intensity of the trials. But the question remains—what? Will it be mental? Emotional?”
“Fear,” Rook says with a low voice as he stares at the fire. I examine his stance, tense muscles, arms crossed, averting his attention from us. Is he bothered by Brielle’s new affection towards me? That I asked her to the ball?
“That’s what they’re going to test?” I ask.
He nods, finally turning to towards us. “My father’s spies have reliable information on this. They will be testing our fears.”
I swallow. “Well, that will prove unpleasant.”
Brielle nods. “We can’t lose.”
“We won’t,” I say, though I mean myself more than anything. Brielle hasn’t always proven to be in full control of her emotions. “If we fail, and she doesn’t...” I say it only to motivate Brielle. Her golden red eyes meet mine as her lips curl.
“She will not beat me.”
I stand and take a step towards her, towering over her thin frame. “Good. You’re better than her. Stronger. One of us—one of us is going to win.” I turn my intense stare to Rook, who finally meets my eye.
“We will.”
I hate that the betrayer made it past the first challenge in spite of us, but she got through on nerve more than anything else. She’s still not proven to have any of the strength I worried she’d have.
“Do you think we’ll be able to get to her during this challenge?” I ask.
“It’s possible we won’t,” Rook says. “Unless we each have to face each other’s fears? It’s unclear how it will be done, but I imagine it will be a less dangerous challenge based on the spy’s information, so that makes me think it will be individual. But we’ll take whatever opportunity that arises. There will certainly be more challenges with plenty of opportunity. We will get to her, one way or another.”
This time, it’s my turn to give the wicked smile.
