“Are you ready, Princess?”
Carys whirled and Elder Cestrum gave a ghost of a smile.
“I apologize for startling you. I looked for you yesterday after your dramatic entrance, but you disappeared, almost as if by magic.”
Magic. He knew about her powers. Garret must have told him what he suspected, and yesterday she confirmed her talent.
“I went to bed early,” Carys said, feigning calm. “I wanted to make sure I was rested for whatever it is you have arranged for us today.”
Elder Cestrum nodded and looked toward where the other Elders stood. “Many had strong opinions about what tasks you should perform. It seems your brother has made many friends in the Council in your absence.”
Carys smiled. “My brother has always been charming.”
“And you have always been the prickly one.” Elder Cestrum smiled back. “Your father was proud of your strength.”
“My father had me beaten for it.”
“Did he?” Elder Cestrum asked. “Or did he follow the advice of one he trusted.”
Carys went still.
“After all, you should know more than anyone what lengths a person will go to for someone they love.”
He was just planting seeds of worry, she told herself. He was trying to make her doubt so that he could convince her to share the throne with Garret. She knew what Elder Cestrum wanted, and she wasn’t about to let him unsettle her. There was too much at stake for her to lose focus.
“Your brother has a lot of friends on his side. You would do well to make your own friends. There is still time before the trial starts. But you would have to hurry.”
“I’m afraid I’m not very good at friendships,” Carys answered.
“I told my nephew that more than once. But he refused to believe me.” His eyes narrowed. “Have you seen Lord Garret recently?”
She considered her options and decided on the truth. “Last I saw him, Garret was fighting Captain Monteros at the Village of Night. The captain you thought loyal to you was bought by another.”
She waited for shock to widen the Elder’s eyes. Instead, there was a gleam of delight. He knew that Captain Monteros betrayed Garret, and he approved.
“You set up your own nephew?” she asked. “Why?”
Elder Cestrum stroked his beard and looked up at the once purple-and-pink sky that was quickly fading to gray. Darkness was coming. “It is always smart to make friends who can help you gain what you seek. I make it my goal to secure the friendship of many. It is the only way to guarantee that even when a loss is suffered, I still win.”
Fear flared. Of all the Elders, the Chief of the Council was the one whose motivations she had been certain of. Garret said his uncle wanted the power that came with the throne. She had assumed that meant Elder Cestrum had not been working with Elder Ulrich and the Bastians. But what if she was wrong.
“Your nephew would want us to be friends . . .”
Trumpets sounded. The music from the city disappeared. Carys turned as Andreus walked through the gates. The court stopped chattering.
In the quiet, Elder Cestrum whispered, “It is a shame that my nephew will have to live with disappointment. Good luck, Princess. Considering who your brother is and who he is working with, you will need it.” He turned toward the Council and announced, “It is time for the final Trial of Virtuous Succession to begin.”
18
Striding through the palace courtyard, Andreus pulled the white-and-yellow-striped cloak Max had delivered to him not long ago tight around his shoulders. The cloak was edged with the shimmer of silver and lined with snow rabbit fur. He stopped under the arching entrance of the palace and searched the crowd for his sister. He spotted her standing next to the Chief Elder, wearing a cloak of similar design, only in her colors of blue and white. Against the darkening sky, the cloak stood out like a beacon. Just as it was intended to do. Larkin was skilled and very clever. He would owe her a debt beyond gratitude for both if tonight was successful.
Trumpets sounded.
Elder Cestrum strode toward the other Elders. Andreus’s sister followed the Chief Elder’s movements. Then she turned and strode toward the blue and yellow platforms.
All eyes shifted to Andreus as he stepped through the archway and onto the steps where his father and brother had once lain in death. Killed by those who wanted the crown that he once again was supposed to compete for.
The trumpets sang again as his sister and he stepped onto their designated podiums. Carys looked straight ahead, never glancing his way. Never hinting that they had agreed to work together.
Elder Cestrum strode to the front of the steps to speak to the crowd that had, despite the cold, assembled below. Almost all were waving or wearing banners of blue. As they should, Andreus thought. His sister would make a strong and fair Queen. He would stand by her as she ruled just as she had stood by him all these years. She hated him now. He hated himself. But maybe if they survived the night, he would find some way to balance the scales between them. Maybe one day he could again earn the trust he had taken for granted.
But first they had to make sure there were more days beyond this one and a throne for Carys to sit upon. He’d been careful when talking to Elder Jacobs last night. With Max and Graylem’s ability to move throughout the palace with little notice, Andreus was able to learn the Elder had left the Hall of Virtues and paid a visit to the Queen. Andreus waited on the stairs until he heard the Elder leave and then made it appear as if the meeting was by accident. Then he used the skills that he had learned from the ladies of the castle—only instead of being the predator, he pretended to be the prey. He’d feigned frustration at seeing the Elder and spun on his heel to leave only to have the Elder call his name and beg him to wait. From there it was easy. Elder Jacobs apologized for the new trial. He assured Andreus that the majority of the Council was interested in keeping Andreus as King. When Andreus lamented how his sister’s appearance had ruined his chance to prove himself in front of the people of Garden City and earn back their support, Elder Jacobs was quick to point out that a public trial would provide another opportunity.
He couldn’t appear too eager or ask too many questions and he was careful not to make suggestions. But he could see the gleam in Elder Jacobs’s eyes.
When Elder Jacobs came to his quarters hours later, it was to tell Andreus that the Trials would take place in the city streets that his sister would struggle to navigate, and to suggest Andreus prepare to move as quickly through the city as he could.
“As you all know,” Elder Cestrum announced, “the Princess Carys has returned to us and the claim to the throne is again in doubt. So tonight, we will once and for all determine which of these two successors becomes your King or Queen.”
A cheer went up from the crowd assembled at the base of the steps. Anticipation shimmered in the cold air.
Elder Cestrum continued, “Charity and Chastity are two virtues that all rulers must have to wear the crown and today Princess Carys and Prince Andreus will show their dedication to these virtues by journeying to the seven shrines throughout the city.”
Andreus smiled. Elder Jacobs had delivered the trial he had promised.
Elder Ulrich moved to the front of the cluster of Council members and looked up at the still-darkening sky.
“We have seven offerings for each of our successors to be delivered in the order of Charity, Chastity, Patience, Endurance, Humility, Temperance, and Strength. A signal representing Princess Carys or Prince Andreus will be launched into the sky after each offering is made. The one who makes it to the altars and then reaches the Hall of Virtues will not only win this challenge, they will win the crown.”
And take down those who wished to steal their throne.
“But first,” Elder Ulrich called, and stepped next to Elder Cestrum, “I believe it would be fitting if both the Prince and Princess address everyone assembled here. After so much that has happened, I am sure they have feelings they would like the op
portunity to express.”
Elder Ulrich’s eyes flicked to the land beyond the walls even as he smiled his acknowledgment of the people’s cheers of agreement.
“Prince Andreus? Would you like to start?”
The Elder was stalling. His forces could not attack until they were under the cover of darkness, and twilight was still upon them.
Andreus looked at his sister and then down at the hushed crowd below. He needed to be brief, but there was something he very much wanted to say. “Yesterday I regained my sister and lost a crown. I have no regrets. The Trials have not always been easy. I have learned a great deal about myself, but I believe I have learned even more about my sister. As have you. Princess Carys has shown her strength. She had demonstrated that she is loyal. And by returning to this city after being betrayed by someone she loves—by me—she has demonstrated that she is both resilient and brave. Tonight we shall compete for the throne, and tomorrow, no matter who wears the crown, I will be honored to stand by her side.”
Approval roared from the crowd below.
He looked at his sister and saw the glint of tears in her eyes before she stepped forward.
His sister held her chin high. Her cloak fluttered. When everyone fell silent, she said, “I, too, have learned a great deal about myself and my brother during these Trials. I have learned that just because we live in a palace doesn’t mean we are much different from you. We celebrate our triumphs, we weep when we despair, and when people threaten what is ours, we fight. Tonight my brother and I will continue that fight and we do it for you. Members of the Council, we are ready for the final Trial of Virtuous Succession to begin.”
Carys’s message was clear. No more speeches. No more stalling. The time to fight for their kingdom had come.
Elder Cestrum smiled. “Very well,” he called over the shouts from below. “The trial will start when the trumpets blow.”
One of the Council of Elders’ pages handed a yellow satchel to Andreus. When he looked at Carys she was holding one of blue. Inside were seven wrapped packages marked with the symbols of the virtues that the contest dictated be delivered to the shrines.
Banners waved.
The crowd murmured with anticipation.
Elder Ulrich smiled at Carys and said something to her as Elder Jacobs approached Andreus, blocking his view.
“I have arranged for difficulties to befall your sister during this trial.”
Andreus shook his head. “If the people think I cheated . . .”
“The people don’t matter. If you love your sister, you must regain the throne.” Elder Jacobs grabbed Andreus’s arm and held tight. “Don’t you understand yet? The Queen and her chamberlain will never let Princess Carys wear the crown. If she wins, she will die.”
“There is nothing they can do.”
“If you don’t know different by now you are a fool,” Elder Jacobs hissed. “People will do what they must to guard their secrets and gain the power or revenge they seek. If you want your sister to live, you must triumph. Her life is in your hands.”
The trumpets sounded.
The Elder turned and hurried off.
“Wait,” Andreus yelled, but Elder Jacobs didn’t turn back. And there was no time to chase him.
If she wins, she will die.
Carys turned. Her eyes were clear. Her shoulders straight. Her white hair and pale eyes gleamed in the dim light before she lifted the hood of her cloak and settled it on her head.
His heart beat fast as he studied the streets that were getting darker by the moment as the sixth and final trial began. He started down the steps, side by side with Carys, Elder Jacobs’s words trailing him.
He couldn’t get those words out of his head.
He had promised Carys that she would rule. But if Elder Jacobs was right, she might never have the chance.
Andreus looked over his shoulder at the palace and those assembled on the landing above. Elder Jacobs nodded to him from the side of the stairs. Elder Ulrich’s pale scalp caught the moonlight and appeared almost to glow as he turned and headed back toward the palace gates.
The final trial had begun, and Andreus had to move.
He pulled up his hood and continued after his sister. Her blue-and-white cloak billowed behind her. The sky was still a pale gray as he navigated the steps to the city below. His leg ached, but it would not slow him down.
“Carys,” he called as she raced in front of him.
She didn’t turn.
“Carys!”
The cheering of the crowd was too loud for his words to reach her. Clutching the yellow bag in his hands, he forced himself to go faster. He had to warn his sister of Elder Jacobs’s plan to slow her down before she headed into the city streets.
His sister paused near the bottom as she searched for Larkin. The seamstress was supposed to be standing under a banner of blue. But there were dozens of banners supporting Carys, which made it hard to tell them all apart.
There. He spotted the tailor, Goodman Marcus, waving a blue banner edged in white and there was Larkin standing beside him wearing a dark cloak with the hood pulled high on her head. A banner of yellow waved not far from her and while the banner bearer was in the shadows, Andreus knew Graylem was beneath it. The faithful guard met his eyes, nodded, and then disappeared into the crowd. When Andreus looked back to the blue-and-white banner, he saw it was now gone, too.
Their allies had moved into position. Now it was their turn.
“Carys!” he yelled above the cheers, and was relieved when Carys paused and looked back at him.
He reached her side, and they stepped onto the cobblestone in tandem. “Be careful. Elder Jacobs does not trust me to win on my own.”
“What do you mean?”
“He means to delay you so that I will win,” Andreus shouted over the din. People pressed close waving and shouting encouragements.
“How?”
“He didn’t say.”
He could see her weighing his words. Doubting them because of all he had done. Finally, she nodded and the doubt in her face cleared. “I’ll be careful. We will all need to be careful until it is done.”
Tonight, above all nights, the two of them needed to be the team they had been since they were born.
“Are you ready?” she asked as they pushed through the crowd toward the street.
Andreus took a deep breath, pushed Elder Jacobs’s words from his mind, and nodded. “Let’s go.”
Andreus grabbed a torch and followed his sister through the exuberant crowd to the south side of the square. People on both sides of the street shouted their names in the middle of the cold night. Somewhere from the darkness Andreus heard music. The city was celebrating. Those not near a shrine would look to the skies for signs of who was leading in the Trials. Few would be paying attention to what was happening on the streets or on the walls. Elder Ulrich would be pleased—but not for long.
They wove their way through the crowd to the south and headed down the city street. The first shrine they were instructed to visit was the Shrine of Charity located to the southeast—the closest of all the structures that had been erected to honor the seven virtues and as a place to plead for the winds to blow strong in the city.
Andreus rarely paid attention to the shrines when he was in the city, but he did know the city streets from his work with the lights on the walls almost as well as he knew the hallways in the Palace of Winds, so he took the lead as they ran to their first stop.
“Princess Carys! This way is faster!”
“We love you!”
“Let the Princess win.”
Andreus glanced back at his sister to see if she had heard the cheers. Her head was high. Her eyes focused. There was no pleasure or satisfaction on her face at the calls of admiration and love. Instead, he saw the same steely expression she always wore when faced with a difficult challenge.
Finally, he spotted the glow from the torches and the shadow of the large tree that stood like a guardian at th
e entrance to the first shrine. He slid on the icy cobblestone, but kept on his feet as the crowd cheered his arrival and that of his sister, who was right on his heels.
The stone table of the shrine was carved from a slick, white stone. It was several lengths long and decorated with etchings of hands stretched out in kindness. A smaller version of the Tree of Virtues that stood in the center of Garden City grew behind the altar—sheltering it. A large stone bowl was carved into the center of the table. Wavy lines were etched on the sides and into the center of the bowl.
He glanced around at the people assembled nearby, searching for any sign of the traps that Elder Jacobs had spoken of. Seeing nothing obvious, he reached into the yellow bag and pulled out a small burlap sack tied with twine. He placed the small sack in the bowl, then tipped his torch to the offering hoping for once the Gods were listening. The small package began to smoke then all at once burst into flames—the offering to the Virtue of Charity would be complete when the flame in the bowl extinguished.
Everyone held their breaths as the last of the flame flickered and died. A streak of yellow sparks shot high into the air, signaling his completion of this part of his task. The crowd shouted anew as he handed the torch to his sister and hurried around the courtyard to the next street, stopping to listen to the cheers.
His sister was just touching her torch to the offering as he heard the call of “Long live the King” coming from his right. He watched his sister step away from the shrine, and waited for her to head down a different street toward the sound of a faint cheer of “Long live the Queen” before he turned and started to run.
Blue sparks lit the sky as he hurried down the street. A few well-meaning youths chased him, but when he turned down another narrow block where the call for the King came again, there was darkness. He reached under his cloak and drew his sword as he scanned the night. Snow and ice crunched under his feet. Each breath seared his lungs and was released like smoke as he crept along the alleyway.