Page 72 of Spirit Rites
I’m here. You'd better warn the guards to let me through. I can’t be held responsible for what happens to them if they keep me from getting to you.
I turn to Taren, and he must see the panic in my eyes. He takes a step closer. “Veyra needs in.” He glances over at the door, and I can practically see the indecision on his face. I push him. “Please.”
He gives me a short nod. “Don’t start the ceremony until I get back. Stall.” His words are quiet, but they still reach my ears. I know that Evren had to have heard them as well, because he’s standing so close to me. When I look up at him, he smirks. My stomach drops, and I look away. Vaelor has stepped back. I wonder absently how he speaks so that everyone here can hear him. When he turns, I get a glimpse of the spirit jaguar at his side. My breath catches, and I stare at it. It’s dark, darker than other spirit jaguars I’ve seen. It lifts its eyes to mine, and I suck in a breath. The eyes are dark and...soulless?When Vaelor turns back to me, his sharp gaze finds mine and I resist the urge to take a step back. The spirit jag settles on the other side of him, and I realize that’s how he’s getting the power to project. I watch in silence as he holds up two large jade stones. They’re beautiful and larger than I thought they’d be. I don’t fail to notice that he’s wearing thick gloves, and I wonder just how powerful these two imbued pieces of jade are. I don’t doubt that they have the power to do exactly what everybody’s been saying they can do.
“Jade.” Vaelor’s voice booms. “It’s a better discerner than any of us can ever be. When I place the jade into this girl’s hands,” I don’t respond to the obvious absence of my name. “It will test her worthiness and her justice. It will test her worthiness to be our king’s mate, and it will test her justice. She thinks she will be queen here; only the jade will determine that.” My legs are shaking, and I lock my knees to try to get them to stop. The harder I try to stop my legs from shaking, the more the shaking reverberates through my body until I’m sure Evren can feel it. I try to take a deep breath, but it stalls in my chest. “Remember, jade will always have the final answer. It cannot lie, cannot be deceived.” I hear Vaelor’s words, but I have a hard time focusing on them. I feel like all I can hear is the sound of my heart thumping...
Vaelor turns towards me and motions me forward. Knowing I can’t do anything else, I step towards him. I almost forget for a moment that my arm is still hooked around Evren’s. He steps with me, though, and seconds later, we’re in front of Vaelor. “Face the crowd.” His words are quiet and anything but warm. I do as he says, and Evren stays at my side. I try to pull my arm from his, but he doesn’t let go. Vaelor steps up next to me and holds up the jade again. “Let us begin.”
I face the crowd, and my mind races. I think of Kaldar and wish he was here beside me in this moment. I think of the people I’ve met that have been good to me, even in just my short time here. Rakel, Mae, Taren, Jorren, the cooks I met, even Sryena who healed me, and Reika who protected me against the guivre. Suddenly, Idohave something to say. I clear my throat and glance over at Vaelor. “I’ve changed my mind; I do have something to say.”
“Well, say it then...if you can say it loud enough for anyone to hear it.” I can hear the challenge in his words as I face the crowdand take a step forward. Silence falls on the crowd as I try to piece together what I’m going to say.
Chapter 34
Evren takes a step away, and I take a deep breath. I think through what I want to say and wonder if I can even make my voice project like it needs to for everyone to hear. Before I can say a word, something brushes against my leg, and I feel tears prick my eyes.Veyra.It’s all I can manage.
I’m here. Who do I need to kill?Her words bring a smile to my face, which feels impossible in this moment.Your mate is on his way.
Hope begins to build in me for the first time since I got here.Really?
I told Jespar what was happening. Your mate is angry.
That doesn’t surprise me.They waited until he left to do this.
Let's kill them all.
Her anger on my behalf softens my heart.Maybe not. There are some good ones here.
Not the dark one.
I don’t have to guess who she’s talking about. The name fits him.Yeah. Not him. I have to address this crowd and need to project my voice. Will you help me?
Of course. Just pull from my power. Seek that connection between us and take what’s being offered.I search for that tether between us and open myself to it. I feel a little something; I’m not exactly sure what it is, but I trust her enough to go for it. I take one more breath.You’ve got this, Bonded One.
Her confidence in me gives me the edge I needed. “Good morning, Members of the Jaguar Kingdom. I want to thank you for your hospitality. Even though it’s only been a short time, I have felt welcomed by so many of you. Jorren, Taren, Reika, andEvren made sure the king and I got here safely and have been so good to me.”At least two of them anyway. “Rakel sewed me this fabulous outfit I’m wearing right now. She's amazing, but I’m sure you all already know that. Maelin has been so kind to make sure I have everything I need, and she talks more than I do, which is a feat.” A ripple of laughter floats through the stadium. “Sryena healed me when I got here, and I am so grateful. You have the best chefs. Don’t tell the Wolf King, but the food is better here than in their kingdom.” A cheer goes up, and I smile. “You have all been so good to me, and I won’t forget it. But I would be remiss if I didn’t mention your king. Did you know he went into the Spirit Rites with me just so I wouldn’t have to endure them alone? He already had his Rites, yet he went through them again with me.” I leave out the fact that he almost died when he did it. “Your king is gracious and kind yet deadly if someone threatens his beloved kingdom. He's kind of perfect. I can say that because he’s my mate, but I have a feeling many of you would agree with me.” A cheer ripples through the crowd, and I feel like I have their hearts in this moment. Veyra must feel it too because she pushes her snout into my leg. I don’t look down at her; I don’t want to lose my train of thought. I feel suddenly oddly emotional. “I guess all I’m saying is thank you. Thank you for welcoming me and for giving me a chance. You are good people here in the Jaguar Kingdom. And,” I pause. “You have a really good king.” Thunderous applause sounds, and I can’t help my smile. I wish Kaldar was here for it because I meant every word I said. He really is a good king and a good man. I turn back to Vaelor, and I can clearly see the anger in his eyes.Well, tough.
He approaches me once again, and I see Taren out of the corner of my eyes. He's only a few steps behind me, which is comforting, especially because Evren is behind me on my other side. I’m not exactly pleased with that position, but Taren isstanding almost right beside him. I trust him to watch my back. “Kneel,” Vaelor commands. I’ve always been a pretty compliant person, but everything in me screams at me to defy his order. I force myself to obey and kneel as gracefully as I can manage. But I don’t drop my eyes; I keep them focused on him the entire time. I don’t trust him at all. He takes the last remaining step, closing the distance between us. I take a deep breath. “Put out your hands.”
I do and will them not to shake. Veyra pushes into my side and sits right next to me. He begins to lower the jade into my hands and Veyra stands to her feet.Something is wrong.
Her words make me falter, and my hands lower slightly.What?”
There’s something wrong with that jade.
I don’t take my eyes away from Vaelor, even as I talk to my jaguar.What is it?
I don’t know, but it’s not normal. It’s not how it’s supposed to smell.
Vaelor’s eyes meet mine, and I can see the challenge in his eyes. I steel myself and raise my hands once again.I have no choice; I have to do this. I’ll deal with whatever consequences there are.
I’ll help.
Her words assure me. That is until Vaelor places the jade pieces fully into my hands. Suddenly, I realize why he’s wearing gloves. My hands burn where the jade touches them. I suck in a breath, and panic flares in my chest. The burning shoots up my arms and into my torso.I’m failing the jade test.It’s the only thing I can think as pain flares through my entire body, making me feel like I’m on fire from the inside out.
Fight against it.
I hear Veyra’s words, but I can’t respond. I'm in agony.
