‘There were storms while I was out?’

I’m frowning, still not sure what the weather has to do with me until Benny’s gaze shifts across to Kyor, and it clicks.

‘You mean …’

‘Let’s just say they had an unusually greenish hue …’ Jonas replies.

A spasm of warmth flickers inside me. He told me he was terrified, but it’s different to know there was physical evidence of it.

‘I’m also very glad to see you’re all right, Rose,’ Jonas says. There’s a strange formality to his tone and when I go to hug him, his body is unusually rigid. ‘Just one more trial to get through.’

‘Right?’

I know from the look Benny gives me that he can feel the tension too, but I’m not exactly sure what I can do about it. A boat is hardly the most practical place for a private conversation, assuming that’s even what Jonas wants, as the other four remaining Rettlings are here too. Along with Zara and Grenda, the other two who made it to the Ofur are Moryal and Del, the two behemoth men from Galreck.

My mind shifts to the last trial and specifically to Seiren. I pray she didn’t die trying to seize a boat.

With Jonas being so standoffish, I quickly head back to Kyor, though we don’t speak much. Instead, we simply stand there, his arms wrapped around me as I gaze out at the water. When the mainland comes into view, my stomach twists. The weight of it all presses down, and I know that no matter what happens at the end of this, life will never be the same as before, but wasn’t that what I wanted? Deep down, I know whatever future awaits us has to be better than life in the slums, but the unknown is nerve-wracking all the same.

‘Can you see that?’ Benny comes over to us when we’re still a fair way from the shore. ‘It looks like they’re waiting for us.’

‘A welcoming committee, you mean?’ My heart lifts at the thought that I might get to see Kay after all. But the hope fades as Benny shakes his head.

‘No, I don’t think so. I think it’s just priestesses.’

A knot binds my ribs as Kyor and I exchange a look.

I sigh. ‘They can’t be doing this again so soon. There’s no way.’

‘We’re not ready for the Ofur.’ Kyor frowns. ‘You’re barely recovered.’

‘No, it’s not possible,’ Jonas joins in. ‘Every Retterheld recorded has been across four moons. We’ve only just finished the third cycle. It should be at least another week, if not two.’

‘Well, someone ought to tell them that then.’ Benny gestures to the shore where I can now make out the blue robes of the priestesses, even if I can’t see their faces. And I know exactly which priestess he’s talking about when he adds, ‘Is it just me, or does she also freak the fuck out of you all?’

None of us reply. We don’t need to.

High Priestess Mila waits on the dock and my eyes go to her belt, to the dagger that is still at her side.

‘Is it me, or does something about this feel dodgy?’ Benny asks. ‘Dodgier than usual,’ he amends.

‘It’s not just you,’ I reply.

‘Just stay close.’ Kyor takes my hand, his comment solely for me. ‘And not because I think you need me, but⁠—’

‘I know,’ I say. The fact is, I also want to hold his hand. There’s a quiver in the air, creating a sense of unease.

Not a single person speaks as we disembark, and Mila waits until we’re all standing on the dock before she speaks.

‘Rettlings, I am grateful to see your safe return. Etta has blessed you indeed. But I am afraid I have bad news. During the previous trial, there was a gross violation of the Retterheld rules.’

A cold like iron threads through my blood. She knows, I think in a panic. She knows that I used the ice powers that somehow hide in the shadows of my veins. Issen powers.

She knows I’m the reason the kraken escaped. I am going to die for this, and from the way Kyor’s hand is now clenching mine, he’s thinking the same.

‘As is customary when such things happen, I have sought Etta’s guidance, for I myself believed that the only suitable punishment was death.’

My knees feel weak. Have I survived a drowning by kraken only to be put to the sword now? The confirmation of my worst fear is enough to steal any strength I had. I can’t breathe. This isn’t happening. Killed, not in the trials, but for this? Something I have no control over?

‘I’m not going to let anything happen to you,’ Kyor growls beside me. ‘If they⁠—’

‘But,’ Mila continues loudly, glaring at Kyor, ‘in this particular circumstance, Etta has chosen to make an exception.’

She steps forward. ‘Prince Kyor Knavin, you are hereby disqualified from the trials for attacking, injuring, and showing wilful disrespect towards the priestesses of Etta.’

It feels like the air has been ripped from my lungs. They’re going to take Kyor? For his lightning strike? I should be relieved it’s not my neck on the line, that my secret is safe, but this can’t be happening. I need him.

‘No.’ I lurch forward, my arms in front of him. ‘It wasn’t his fault. He only did that because⁠—’

‘It’s fine, Thorn.’ His voice cuts across mine. ‘I used my powers to break the ward on the kraken. I will accept my punishment.’ He leans in as if to kiss my cheek, but instead he whispers, ‘It’ll be okay. I promise you. I’ll be waiting for you. Just get control of those damn powers and win the Ofur. The gifting is yours. Fucking own it, Thorn.’

Before I can reply, he disappears.

OceanofPDF.com

Chapter 66

Istare at the spot where Kyor stood only seconds ago. Fucking portation.

Jonas appears at my side, seemingly attempting to fill the void left by Kyor, but he can’t. No one can. ‘It’s okay,’ he says. ‘He should have known what he was doing.’

I glare. ‘He did! He didn’t hit them. Not a single one of them,’ I hiss.

Jonas opens his mouth as if he’s going to say more, but I can feel the daggers I shoot from my eyes, and thankfully, he stays quiet. My heart hurts – physically hurts, as if it’s been knifed by an icy blade of my own creation. The words I said to him in bed this morning replay in my mind. ‘Take me like this is all we get.’ That’s what I told him. Why in the Gods’ names did I say something that stupid? Something I didn’t for one second believe could be true. I should have known the Gods listen to it all.

On the other side of the dock, Grenda offers me a look of consolation, but it’s Zara who speaks.

‘Well, I for one am feeling very optimistic about the Ofur.’ A smirk curls her mouth. ‘Particularly after that unexpected outcome.’

‘Fuck off, Zara,’ I say, but Benny and Jonas grab me before I can launch myself at her.

‘Oh, look at that. More big men coming to your aid, ensuring you don’t ever have to fight for yourself, runt.’

I know she’s just trying to rile me, and I hate that it’s working.

‘Fuck you! You have no idea what I’m capable of,’ I snarl, lifting my hands, no longer surprised by the buzzing energy that courses through them. The power trembles through my veins, begging to be released.

‘The fact is you’re down to just two guard dogs now,’ she sneers. ‘This is going to be fun.’

‘I am going to kill you,’ I say through gritted teeth. ‘I am going to kill you just the way I killed Oke. Not that you cared. You didn’t even bother waiting to find out if your friends were still alive before demanding to be allowed to return to the barracks.’

The words leave my mouth before I can stop them, and her eyes widen in shock. Though in a flash, it transforms into fury.

‘You bitch,’ she says, ready to lunge at me, exactly the way I want her to. The fear of exposing myself is suddenly forgotten. All that matters is tearing Zara apart, however I can.

‘That’s enough!’

Grenda’s voice cuts through the tension as Zara continues to snarl at me, but that’s all she’s doing. It takes a heartbeat to realise that’s all I’m doing, too. And not because I’m waiting for her to strike first. I physically can’t move.