Page 87 of Of Stars and Lightning
Twenty Eight
FLORA’S TRIAL
SOL STILL HADN’T SHAKENfree of her conversation with Cas by the time they all arrived at Flora's Temple the next morning.
She refused to make eye contact with him during breakfast and was relieved when the guards forced her to take her own carriage. His words resonated with something buried and frozen within her, something she tried for years to forget.
And she hated it.
Although Sol preferred peace, as Fin stood before them at the entrance of the temple, she wished Cas would have ended him when they first arrived at Rimemere instead of the other kingsman.
Finigan wore a smug smile as he stepped out of formation, sure to glare at her seconds longer than the rest of the prospects. "Two prospects fell to the first test," he announced. "In order to be part of a Royal Court, one must be sure to know how to detect all sorts of poisons, especially those hidden." He came closer, his cloak grazing Sol's boots as he walked down their line. "In order to keep the Queen safe, of course."
Several scoffs sounded to her left, but it was Phil who said,
"Doesn’t seem like she needs help there." Sol smiled sweetly at Fin as he shot her a glare.
“Did your time in the farms teach you how to sniff out Savit,
Princess? Or did someone help you through the first test?”
Sol shrugged. “I’m sure one of the many spies you have within the Villa wouldn’t mind recalling the event for you.”
He narrowed his eyes at her and stepped closer, forcing Sol to lift her chin to keep from him colliding with her. “There are no spies in the Villa—the gods wouldn’t forgive it.”
“Better pray harder, then.”
Before Finigan countered with something smart another soldier stepped forward. "The first official trial is the walk of Flora, Goddess of Land and Blood.” The soldier met every prospect’s gaze with lethal fierceness, so much so that even Sol had the good sense to remain silent as he continued. “To pass it, you must know the tale of our first goddess."
A carriage pulled up to their left, and the noble sigil made Sol tense. While she surveyed it, she caught Cas's eye from his place at the end of the line. He gave her a slight nod. She pursed her lips and looked away, annoyed. She wasn’t through being mad.
"Hand Gina will be today's spectator,” Fin declared, leaves crunching beneath his heavy steps as he made his way to open the navy-blue carriage, casting a final scowl her way before lending his hand to the person inside it.
The Semmena Hand was dressed in blue robes, much like the ones she had worn at the castle. Her sandy hair was pulled back in a perfect knot, and her violet eyes were lined with a thin flick of kohl. Sol didn’t know if she would ever get used to the uncanny resemblance the woman shared with Samara, or how Penny also shared their peculiar gaze.
"Hello, Southern prospects." Gina stepped out of the carriage, holding Fin's outstretched hand. "I do hope the Villa has been to everyone’s liking."
Sol stifled an eye roll, and beside her, Jonah scoffed.
Unbothered, Gina continued, "To fully honor Flora's glory, we will be issuing Kerproot. A way to mimic her descent into madness."
Kerproot.
They're not serious.
“It will also mute your magic for a few hours.” Gina retrieved a small, silver box from within her robes. “To mimic the way Flora’s
own became scarce during her journey on Erriadin.” Instantly, Sol looked over at Phil beside her.
The boy seemed unphased by the announcement, his glacier blue eyes not wavering a single beat. If Kerproot stifled magic…
“My brother needs his air magic to see,” Jonah said from her other side, chin held high. “He cannot see with his eyes. He sees with the wind; it helps him map out the locations of things around him.”
Sol’s palms began to sweat, and her heartbeat boomed in her ears as she awaited Gina’s response.
Finally, with an expression that yielded no kindness, Gina said, “All must be treated equally.”
“You can’t be serious,” Sol blurted, stepping forward and out of their line. “He will have an incredible disadvantage if he cannot see. That’s not equality. Equality would be blinding us all.”
