I was a little caught off guard at his admission. “Apology accepted.”
He smiled and ugh, I loved it, until he said, “But I’m still pissed at you for telling Legacy.”
I folded my arms and didn’t give him the satisfaction of an argument.
∞∞∞
A couple weeks flew by. Aric didn’t try to approach me again, although when I saw him it still made me sad because he looked depressed. Legacy wouldn’t even talk to me about him either. And thankfully Zyacus didn’t bring the situation up again.
After my last class of the day, I laid down for a nap. I had a lot of plans this weekend. Tonight was a big tournament for seventh years. There had been a few smaller ones I hadn’t gone to but this tournament everyone would be at. Madison said the tournament for fifth years would start in a week and only those invited by her would compete. I was excited even if hardly anyone would come to watch us. The girls and I also planned a trip to the nearby town in the morning to get away.
Legacy shook me awake. “It’s time to go to the tournament.”
I rubbed my eyes. After freshening up, we made our way to the arena and up the stands. I spotted an opening next to a Collweyan boy. “Excuse me, are you saving these spots?”
The silver-haired boy smiled. “No. You’re welcome to stay.”
Something about him was familiar but I didn’t remember meeting him. His silver-blond hair was shaved on the sides but long and braided down the center of his head. His light skin was a shocking contrast to his onyx eyes and black lashes. His full lips were a warm color, probably the only thing warm on him, and attractive despite his unusual appearance. I read once that the sun only shines a few hours a day some times of the year in Collweya, and even when it does, it doesn’t warm the landscape. Perpetual cold. I didn’t understand why anyone would want to live there.
“I’m Kyan,” he said and looked at me a little longer, probably wondering if he’d seen me before.
“Hello, ladies,” said his friend, a copper-headed boy with a broad chest and huge muscular arms. I didn’t know what they were feeding these Colleyan boys, but they looked so much more mature than most seventeen-year-olds. “The name is Brax.”
Legacy stuck out her hand. “I’m Legacy.”
They shook hands and I hoped he wouldn’t—and he did. His hand hovered in front of me waiting to be grasped by my own. I counted to three and he still looked at me expectantly, patiently. I grasped his palm firmly and smiled. “Visteal, nice to meet you.” Nothing happened and I breathed a sigh of relief.
Kyan pushed his hands into his pockets watching me carefully. I couldn’t figure out why he seemed so interested. It made me slightly uncomfortable. “So who will be victorious today?”
“It’s difficult to say,” he said, still watching me.
I was almost sure we’d met at this point but I could not remember where. “Do I know you?”
He shook his head. “I don’t believe you do. Of course, I know who you are, your highness.”
Maybe he was simply in awe of meeting a royal. He wouldn’t be the first. “Do you have a list of the contenders?” I asked.
He passed it over to me. There were new fighters this time and at the end of next month the champions would face off. There were a lot of names I didn’t know. The only one I recognize was Asher Fillips Breddor and he was good but so were most Delhoon fighters.
Out of the corner of my eye, I saw him looking at me. I pursed my lips feeling uncomfortable. After a moment I turned to him. “What year are you? Will you be fighting soon?”
“I’m a sixth year.” His eyes went to the arena floor. “And yes, next year I’ll be down there. Will they let you fight when the time comes?”
“Of course,” I said with a small smile. “Queens and Princesses in Delhoon do not sit by and let the men do all the fighting.”
He arched an eyebrow. “It’s not that I would think you’re incapable but it seems like an unnecessary risk for a royal.”
“It’s not to the death, unless it’s a Wargon troll,” I said with a shrug. “One day I’ll need to prove myself worthy to rule Delhoon.”
“Ah, yes. I wouldn’t be surprised if your former queen Kyria rules Collweya one day,” he said, and then smiled. “I’m sorry I keep looking at you; you’re just so—beautiful.”
My cheeks felt a little warmer at his admission. “Thank you.” At least now I knew why his eyes drifted my way.
The fights began and the cheers reverberated off the walls each time someone won or did something outstanding. Names were chanted, a few brawls broke out in the stands and overall the air was electric. When there was a short break, Legacy and I went to grab a snack. We got lucky and the line only had two people in it.
“What are you getting?” Legacy asked.
My mouth watered at the phoenix shaped chocolate bars hovering above the counter. Oh and the unicorn cookies with rainbow frosting looked divine. “I’m thinking those unicorn cookies are a must.”
“Good call,” Legacy said and ordered four. “Our new friends would be disappointed if they didn’t get one too.”
The girl behind the counter carefully wrapped the cookies and stacked them in a small box. “Happiness awaits,” she said, handing it over. “The unicorn cookies are a special mix tonight. Enchanted with joy.”
“That’s amazing,” Legacy said, giving her a smile. Then she mumbled to me, “Something the both of us could use after the past couple weeks we’ve had.”
The crowd suddenly went wild, so we ran up the steps to our row. I squeezed by a couple students and stood beside Kyan. “What did we miss?” I asked, taking the cookie Legacy handed me.
“They’ve both lost their weapons, magic looks depleted or they’re saving it, and they’re grappling on the ground.” Legacy passed him a cookie, “Well, that’s kind of you. Thanks.”
I bit into my cookie and the sweetness of it burst on my tongue, it sure tasted like joy. The golden helmet of the Hesstian boy fell off and I started when I saw shaggy near-black hair and a beautiful face I had all but memorized. I snatched the roster from Kyan and my eyes slid over the list, and there at the bottom as was Zyacus Axel Hawkins, and I would swear on my life it wasn’t there the first time I looked. “How—”
Legacy grabbed my arm and shook me. “Is that Prince Zyacus?”
We both winced as his fists collided with the bloodied face of the Delhoon boy on the bottom, Asher, if I wasn’t mistaken. Zyacus rained blows over and over until my Papa dove in and separated them, calling an end to the bout. The Hesstian students jumped up and down, shaking the stands beneath our feet, and blue and gold fireworks shot up from the crowd. “Zyacus! Zyacus! Zyacus!” They roared.
My mouth was still hanging open when I crushed the paper in my hand. “How the hell did he get into the tournament? He is a Fifth Year.”
Kyan said, “I don’t know but he’s savage.”
With a flip of his foot, Zyacus’s sword leaped into his hand and he raised it over his head. The gleam of the silver blade glinted in the magic light and applause exploded; their prince won for them. Then he did something unexpected—he held out a hand and helped his defeated opponent stand.