Page 39 of Trial of Thorns
“We don’t use dollars.”
“Oh.” She stops to ponder. “What do you use?”
“Gem stones. It’s a complicated system. Either way, I’m sure the High Court is profiting well from this show they’re putting on.”
“You were quite dramatic in your last trial. If they want a show, you’re doing a good job of it, right?”
I nod. “I’ll always be the villain. But then again, everyone loves a villain.”
Rev
My whole body is tightas I descend the stairs with Brielle on my arm. The crowd watches with wide eyes and soft murmuring. She and I together makes a massive point, but I can’t stop the pit in my stomach.
I have never cared for Brielle in this way, so isn’t this wrong?
I don’t think I’m leading her on. I’m confident she knows my feelings are not true, but she’s using the situation to shift herself close to me. Sometimes, it feels as though she’s taking advantage ofme.
But I can’t deny how even the hint of an implication of our union would boost my status among the courts. I can’t not use it to my advantage, right?
I sigh. Win the trials and none of this will matter. I’m already well on my way to winning. Brielle and Rook are my allies. Rook could be a contender, but we’ve sparred enough for me to know his weaknesses inside and out. I’m confident I can beat him. My only real competition is Drake, the Whirling Court heir. He also has two high court allies, Caspian and Kari, Glistening and Crystal Court respectively. His allies are possible contenders, but only if the trials work to their advantage. It’ll take pure luck.
Still, at the end of the day, it’s Drake who I have my eye on. And he clearly has his eye on me. Literally. He’s watching as I walk down the stairs, arm in arm with Brielle. Regardless of our relationship status, she is my ally and will remain so, as long as she continues in the competition. Honestly, this fear contest has me concerned for her, especially if it’s independent. And if I go into the next trial with only one ally while Drake has two... that might do me in right there.
At the bottom of the stairs, we are greeted by several high ranking fae. We bow and nod and smile politely, but Brielle never takes her arm from mine. Will we be attached like this all month?
I grip her arm tightly, if only so she doesn’t notice my anxiety. My smile is big and bright as we mingle with all of the most important fae in our world.
“Odds are on you, boy,” Mr. Copper, a Flicker Court official, says with a wink. “So long as that girl doesn’t distract you, of course.”
I blink, surprised. “Brielle is an ally. She won’t be a distraction. That much I can promise.”
Brielle beams.
He tsks. “I didn’t mean Brielle.”
I swallow and follow his attention to the entryway where a dazzling light-haired female in an elegant black dress descends. She’s beautiful, the dress hugging all the right curves. Sexy, though the neckline is so high even her collarbones are covered.
