Page 103 of Court of Winter

Prince Norivun grew even more rigid as Sir Featherton swept an arm in a flourishing motion, and the three sets of parents and their daughters stepped forward.

All of the females had beautiful black wings—wings I would never have.

“And their affinities?” the king asked.

“Lady Meegana Ockson, daughter of Harrivee Territory, has been blessed with three,” Sir Featherton replied.

The female in the yellow gown held her chin high as Sir Featherton gushed, “She has an elemental affinity—water—a shapeshifting affinity, and she also possesses a sensory affinity—sound.”

“What does she shift into?” the king asked shrewdly.

“A colantha, Your Majesty,” Sir Featherton replied, bowing deeply.

A murmur erupted among the crowd at hearing she could transform into a large jungle cat, and the king nodded approvingly.

“Very nice.” The king glanced at the next. “And what about her?”

The female’s father and mother ushered the second female forward. A purple gown covered her head to toe, but she moved her lithe figure with purpose and swagger. Her silver hair was pinned back with clips, which amplified her delicate features and rosebud mouth. The female looked innocent and fragile, but a sharp gleam coated her eyes as she sized up the two females beside her. I recognized that look all too well. It was a look Vorl would have before he did something hideous to me.

Sir Featherton waved toward her dramatically. “Lady Georgyanna Endalaver, daughter of Kroravee Territory, has been blessed withfouraffinities, Your Majesty.”

A huge eruption of whispers followed that statement. The king sat up straighter in his seat as the queen made a sound in her throat. A sharp look from the king had her quietening before he addressed Sir Featherton. “Four? Are you sure?”

“Indeed,” Sir Featherton replied. “Lady Georgyanna’s elemental affinity is fire, and she also possesses an electric affinity, a constructo affinity, and an emotional affinity—manipulation.”

“This has been tested?” the king asked.

Sir Featherton bowed again. “Yes, Your Majesty. All three have been thoroughly tested before I brought them here.”

The king tapped his chin. “A colantha shapeshifter is quite rare, which could make up for only having three affinities. But to have four...” He tapped his chin again and assessed the last female. “And her?”

The female’s parents shuffled nervously as Sir Featherton replied, “Lady Beatrice Leafton, daughter of Prinavee Territory. Blessed with three affinities. An elemental affinity—earth, a sensory affinity of sight, and her strongest affinity, which is telekinesis.”

An eruption of whispers broke out over that. Psychic affinities were also rare, especially telekinesis.

“Only three, but very powerful.” The king leaned back in his chair, frowning. “I had hoped to find a female with more affinities, but I suppose we must make do with what we have.”

A scattering of laughter rose from the crowd, but the females’ parents all wore affronted expressions while the queen continued to sit rigidly. I squeezed Nuwin’s arm. He placed his hand over mine, his expression resigned.

As if sensing the parents’ displeasure, the king smiled widely. “Welcome to the Court of Winter, daughters of the Solis continent. All of you are worthy mates for my son.”

The females released collective sighs of relief as their parents’ discontented demeanors turned prideful.

Sir Featherton bowed smugly. “Indeed, Your Majesty.”

The king cast a side-eye my way, but then his attention drifted to my wingless back, and his interest withered as he returned to the three before him.

As though knowing the Trial had begun to become the prince’s betrothed, the three females all eyed Norivun. They wore masks of curiosity, interest, and even possession. The one in the purple—Lady Georgyanna Endalaver—practically looked like a colantha herself, even though that wasn’t her affinity, but she kept casting feral glances at the other two females, as though sizing up her competition.

“How many affinities does the crown prince have?” I tried to ask Nuwin lightly, but that throbbing sensation had grown in my stomach again. I felt hot. Itchy. And seeing these females look at the crown prince as though they wanted to mate with him right here and now... It felt like fire flooded my veins.

“Six,” Nuwin replied.

My head snapped back.Six?I sputtered, then coughed lightly to hide my surprise. Six affinities. I’d never heard of anyone that powerful in all of my life.

“And your mother?”

“Five,” Nuwin replied.

---