In the Wake of the Wicked (Veridian Empire #1)

24. Rose

24

Rose

I t took an hour to reach the central sector. The moon hung high, and creatures of the night slithered and hooted and pawed along the path as I rode. My legs and backside ached from all the hard riding today, my muscles unused to sitting atop a horse and clenching for so long.

When we finally reached the treeline that opened to the enormous palace grounds, some of the tension I’d been holding in my shoulders fell away. It was over. I’d done it. And now all I wanted was blessed sleep .

A small shadow darted in front of me, coming from the south side of the trees.

Another challenger racing back? Snapping the reins, I chased after the figure, which grew larger and larger as I crossed the grounds. Just as I was preparing to cast to slow them down, the figure stopped and turned, hearing my approach.

Wavy blonde hair, tall, broad shoulders, and a hint of a smirk peeked out as I drew closer. Nox .

“Nice night for a stroll?” he asked casually, sticking his hands in his pockets.

I shook my head in disbelief. “You’ve got to be kidding me.”

“What? Not happy to see me?”

Dismounting, I tied the reins to an iron bench bordering the nearby gardens. I’d figure out what to do with Leo’s horse after midnight. Glaring at Nox, I held an arm toward the palace. “Why aren’t you going in?”

He shrugged. “Ladies first.”

My eyes narrowed. I couldn’t figure this man out. He seemed genuine, but I couldn’t help thinking there was something I wasn’t seeing. “Why?”

“Because, my very distrusting viper, I’ve already told you—I don’t care if I win this tournament. And I’ve taken a liking to you.” He nodded at the entrance to the north, the ends of his ear-length hair swaying in the breeze. “Call this a sign of good will. I’d rather get through this month with someone tolerable at my side than fight with you every step of the way.” He raised an eyebrow, that familiar yet unsettling glimmer of mischief and honesty in his blue gaze. “So, have I earned your trust yet?”

I chewed my bottom lip, fighting the urge to reject his olive branch and push him to the side. My instincts screamed that this was somehow a trick, that he would abandon or turn on me once I got too close. Trusting Nox…that could potentially be the biggest mistake I’d make this entire tournament. He was powerful , I could tell. And already knew far too much about me. If he betrayed me, if he got beneath my defenses…he’d be my most formidable opponent.

But everything he’d done so far had been in favor of earning my trust. Drinking the Grimlock wine and confessing his thoughts about the Decemvirate. Confiding in me about his own province hanging his participation over his head. Telling me about the other challengers and warning me against poking Callum too strongly.

Perhaps he truly didn’t care about winning. Perhaps he truly hated the purpose behind this tournament—as did I. And I had to admit, it would be nice knowing I had at least one person who wasn’t trying to sabotage me at every turn.

I let out a sigh as I met his gaze. “ Fine ,” I said. “But if I so much as sense you’re about to betray me, I’ll curse you so fast you’ll wish you had stayed in Drakorum.”

His cheek twitched. “If you were from my province, that wouldn’t be the threat you think it is.” Before I could respond to those cryptic words, he bowed low and swept an arm out ahead of him. “After you.”

Palace guards opened the grand entrance doors as we approached. Nox stayed a few steps behind me, letting me go first as promised. When I crossed the threshold, the familiar bushy blonde beard of Horace appeared, taking me abruptly by the arm and leading me down the darkened entryway. Flames flickered from the sconces along the wall, the only light in the entire palace.

“Took your time, didn’t you,” he said with a grunt.

I gaped up at him. “Do you even know what happened today?”

“I heard.”

“Oh, right,” I said with a scoff. “I forgot, your good friends Ris?—”

His large hand came up to press firmly against my mouth. “Quiet, girl,” he grumbled. “What are you trying to do, get us killed?” He released me, looking back at Nox and the other guards behind us. His voice lowered. “Save this conversation for when there are less nosey minds around.”

I muttered an apology, then added quietly, “I took their horse, by the way. Can you get it back to them?”

This earned me an actual chuckle. “Emperor’s tits,” he said. “You really are trying to get yourself killed.”

“I’d like to see him try,” I said under my breath. We continued down what I recognized as the corridor leading to the great hall, where whispers and rustling cloth reached my ears. “Where are we going?”

“Another debriefing. It’s required after every trial. They’ll go through rankings and scribes will record it all to be turned into news pamphlets for the capital and provinces.”

“We’re doing this at midnight ?” I asked, pressing a finger to my temple. Exhaustion set heavily into my bones, making my feet drag.

Horace simply shrugged. “They love the drama of it. And it gives time to get the news out by morning. Your face and ranking will be plastered on every market square in town tomorrow.”

“Wonderful.”

We entered the great hall, and the mood from the meeting yesterday afternoon had drastically shifted. Whereas then it was mingling and laughter and pastries and wine, tonight was dark cloaks and murmurs. Beady eyes and competitive glances. Torches were scattered across the vast room, firelight crackling and casting eerie shadows along the dark stone floor.

All of the other challengers were here. My chest deflated at the sight, humiliation twisting in my gut. I was the last one.

Well, second to last. But only because Nox let me go ahead of him. I clenched my jaw, feeling my neck and cheeks heat as heads of various lords, ladies, and guests of the capital turned their attention to me.

In the open streets of the central sector earlier today, I’d felt comfortable in my anonymity. Protected. Even the people who might have recognized me were simply curious, wanting to get their peek at the mysterious, last-minute replacement. Now…they knew who I was. And by the disappointed looks of pity, they knew what I was.

A failure. A joke, as Leo had called me.

Was this worse than the disdain, the snide remarks, the lingering looks of contempt from my own province? I wasn’t sure, but it filled me with equal parts shame and resentment.

My eyes scanned the crowd of dozens of guests for faces I recognized. Leaning on the far left wall was Arowyn, the Strider from Celestria with the long, almost white hair whose aloof, disinterested attitude the day before had been refreshing. Tonight, however, her icy blue eyes were narrowed on every conversation, fingers tapping at her thighs.

There was another woman near her that I’d never seen before. Her left arm was in a sling and she was the only one in the entire room smiling. A few finely dressed ladies from court stood around her, and when she whispered something to them, they all burst into quiet laughter. She tossed her auburn hair back, her tawny cheeks crinkling into a smile.

I had a guess who she might be. Callum’s words from earlier came back to me—“you should see what I did to the Lightbender.” Based on her injury, this must be Callista, the Emberfell challenger. Nox had said she was a crowd favorite, and I could see why. People flocked to her like bees to honey, vying for a sliver of her attention. Watching her with them, I had to admit I was a bit jealous of how naturally it came to her, how well she commanded the group of women. A genuine smile here, a well-timed laugh there, a confidence in the way she carried herself that inspired respect. She knew how to play the game. That kind of recognition and favor in the eyes of the powerful often held more weight than the magic that ran through one’s veins.

I spotted Alaric’s dark brown and gray hair in the back corner, talking quietly with a member of the Royal Guard. My jaw ticked as I took a step in his direction.

A hand clamped down on my shoulder. “Be smart, girl,” Horace whispered in my ear.

From several feet to the right, someone tsk ed. “She’s got a nasty temper, doesn’t she?”

At the sound of his voice, my blood ran cold, then strikingly hot. I glared at Callum, finding his black eyes just as full of vengeance as mine surely were. Gone were the days of cocky pretension, of snide remarks hidden behind sharp smirks.

Callum’s expression was clear. I was no longer a plaything for him to toy with on a string. I was his enemy. A threat .

For some reason, that realization made satisfaction hum in my chest. I cocked my head and let a small smile play on my lips. I didn’t want him to see how much he affected me. How easily he got under my skin. Despite Horace’s low growl of warning at my back, I sauntered over to Callum, straightening my spine and taking my time as I sized him up like a predator hunting their prey.

“Looking forward to the rankings, Feywood? I can’t wait to see you where you belong,” he sneered. “Always knew you’d look good beneath me.”

“Careful, Callum,” I hummed, drawing out his name. “Those are strong words for someone I had begging on their knees mere hours ago.”

His fingers came out to wrap around my wrist, digging into my skin. “You think you’re so clever with your little plants and potions.” His voice was low and menacing in my ear as his fingers tightened their hold. “But you’re nothing without them, are you, Feywood? That’s why people like you will never win. Will never be strong enough. Your magic is useless .”

He pulled back and glanced behind my shoulder as heavy footsteps approached, but I kept my stare focused on Callum. He released me, dusting off his shoulder and adjusting his jacket.

“Keep your charms, because that’s all you have,” he hissed. “When it comes down to it, we all know your province is the weakest link. I wonder what will happen to your people when you fail.” With one last feral grin, he smoothly stepped aside and into the crowd, leaving me still as stone.

That same tide of humiliation and bitterness rose and swelled, but for a different reason. He was right, in a way—Alchemists were the only ones who needed an outside element to perform our given magic. All five of the other provinces could conjure their own power without aid. It was innately part of them. Being isolated in Feywood, I’d never had that fact wielded against me. Never understood what an advantage the others had, not being dependent on what resources lined their pockets or what herbs and potions were at their disposal. Never realized we were viewed as less than because of it .

I swallowed hard and contained the doubts swirling within me, not letting it break my impassive features.

The deep toll of a bell echoed through the hall. Midnight. From the front came Lark’s voice, signifying the end of the trial and gathering us all to the center. A hand pressed into my back and guided me forward. Rotating my neck, I saw Nox at my side.

“Don’t listen to him,” he murmured as we followed everyone else. “He’s an elitist prick who had his balls handed to him and is trying to get a rise out of you. He’s wrong; you’re?—”

I arched away from his touch. “I don’t need you to tell me how strong I am, Nox,” I said coldly.

His hand fell to his side, and I didn’t miss the look of hurt that passed over his face before he smoothed it back out and smiled. “Just as well, then. Don’t want it going to your head.”

I turned my attention to the south end of the hall where the same podium from the briefing was stationed. As last time, Lark Everest took her place behind it, clearing her throat to silence the whisperings of the crowd. Motion made my eyes flicker to the wall behind her, and my heart stuttered.

Emperor Gayl was here.

His blue and white mismatched eyes sliced into mine across the hall. Tonight, he wore a midnight blue cloak, his long black and silver streaked hair gathered in a strip of leather at the nape of his neck. His gloved hands were steepled at his chest as he silently observed in the background.

I held his stare. He didn’t look angry, even though he knew I’d been spying on him. He looked curious . His head tilted to the side ever so slightly, his lips twitching as neither of us broke our gaze. I wouldn’t let myself cower. Wouldn’t allow myself to show the fear he so easily amassed from his people.

As if he could read my thoughts, he suddenly smiled. Chills cascaded across my skin.

There was something so… familiar in that smile.

“Congratulations to our six challengers for successfully completing the first trial.” Applause went around the hall at Lark’s words. Horace nudged my shoulder, and I finally ripped my eyes away from Gayl, bringing my hands together in a lackluster attempt at celebration.

“In a moment, we will reveal the current standings of the tournament. After today our challengers will have six days of rest before the second trial begins.” Lark brushed a mass of black curls away from her face. Her loose hair sprung around her face in tight coils, free of its thick plaits. “The evening before the second trial, Emperor Gayl and I would like to invite all of the challengers to a feast in honor of finishing the first task. You will receive more information later. And yes, Arowyn”—Lark shot a knowing look to the white-haired figure with her arms crossed—”it is mandatory.”

Lark clapped her hands. “And now, for the rankings.” Shadows appeared in her palms, tendrils of darkness rising and twisting through the air. The candlelight in the hall flared brightly as her power formed above our heads. Positioned directly in front of Lark were two women and one man, each with their heads buried in pieces of parchment. Their fingers flew as they scribed every word the head architect said, readying to deliver the news of the first trial far and wide.

“Each challenger was tasked with locating and retrieving an artifact related to their magic. They were required to solve a riddle leading them to a position in Veridia City, where they faced obstacles along the way. The first person to find their artifact and return to the palace before the stroke of midnight was Arowyn Garrolas of Celestria.” Shadows formed Arowyn’s name in thin letters, hanging in midair. “Arowyn located the golden key, a symbol of knowledge and success in her province of Celestria, in the mountains of the north sector. Congratulations to Arowyn for her excellent use of magic and intellect in the face of fear.” A round of applause sounded at the sight.

For some reason, this surprised me. I’d anticipated Callum being in first, given how confident he acted when we fought. I snuck a glance at Arowyn, who appeared as bored as ever. The only indication she was paying attention was the way her shrewd eyes scanned over the crowd.

“In second place, who expertly uncovered the Cloak of Shadows in the ancient ruins where our capital’s jewel mines once stood, is Alaric Rinehart of Tenebra.” New shadows appeared below Arowyn’s name, spelling out the Shadow Wielder’s. The spectators clapped, some of the members of the Royal Guard patting Alaric on the shoulder. He raised his hand in a polite wave and nodded in thanks. I took a deep breath and let it out slowly, my exhale transforming into a growl at the end. Alaric caught my eyes and smiled feebly.

At least he had the sense to look ashamed for what he did to me.

“Next, the third challenger to complete his task was Callum Orlox of Iluze. The Illusionist found the gilded mirror, which appears on the crest of Iluze, hidden in the great Veridia Theater.”

I rolled my eyes at the smug expression on Callum’s face as his name appeared in shadows. Hatred surged inside of me when he raised his eyebrow at me in challenge, flicking the metal piercing at his bottom lip with his tongue.

“Callista Greyhound of Emberfell claimed fourth place.” Lark’s shadows forged Callista’s name in the air beneath the other three. “With grace and power, she found the crystal pearl, an object representing a myth of her people. She traversed the High Temple in the central sector to retrieve it.”

The cheering was exponentially heightened for her, even though she was in fourth place, and she beamed at her admirers. A blush graced her cheeks. The perfect picture of a humble, thankful challenger. But her eyes gave her away. At the last second, I saw her turn a piercing glare toward Callum, the venom in that single look making me smirk.

It seemed I wasn’t the only one out for blood.

“Rose Wolff of Feywood.”

I jerked at the sound of my name, watching slithering shadows form the letters.

“In fifth place, but not for lack of strength. She solved a puzzle in a battlefield memorial, leading her to a crystal of great spiritual magic.”

I knew I’d be toward the bottom, but the sight of those four names before mine was a kick to my pride. I nodded tightly at the polite applause that followed, pointedly avoiding Callum’s haughty face and Alaric’s uncomfortable expression. If it weren’t for them, I would’ve reached the memorial faster. Who knows how high of a rank I could’ve had? Climbing back from the bottom would be almost impossible.

“Remember what you’re here for,” Horace muttered, too quiet for anyone else to hear. I twisted my neck to see his dark, beady eyes trained on mine, one bushy eyebrow slightly raised.

“I know,” I whispered back. He was right. This wasn’t about winning the tournament. Not in the end.

“Finally, Nox Duma of Drakorum.”

Murmurs swept across the hall. Drakorum had never fallen to last place—not in recent history, at least. By all accounts, Nox should be leading the pack. Shifters and Illusionists were notoriously the strongest. Seeing a Strider at the top of the rankings was shocking, to say the least.

“Nox braved the wild forests of the south, retrieving a replica of the talisman of the dragon, an artifact Drakorum holds dear,” Lark finished, waving a hand at the six names written in shadow. They pulsed and writhed in the air, but didn’t dissipate.

“Well, there you have it. The end of the first trial.” She clapped her hands once. “This is shaping up to be quite the interesting Decemvirate.”