A Trial of Sorcerers: Book One by Kova, Elise (universal ebook reader .txt) 📕

the Windwalkers’ study.” Cullen motioned to the chairs by the stove. “Make yourself comfortable.”

“I think I’ll stand,” Eira decided when he leaned against the table rather than sitting.

“If it pleases you.”

“Where is my brother?”

“Already out for the day. I think he was sent to the East Clinic, if you’re curious.”

Even though competitors weren’t supposed to have duties, Marcus apparently still did. Eira didn’t envy the work. But she did envy the idea of being so important that people didn’t want to even afford her a day off. “I thought you said—”

“He asked me to speak to you.” Cullen gave her a hard stare. He oozed discomfort from every pore as he gripped the edge of the table, clearly debating what he was going to say next. Eira allowed him to stew in his agony. She was used to awkward situations; she’d been the herald of awkward for years, so the circumstances weren’t having the same effect on her. “I am going to invite you to court tomorrow. I mean, I am inviting you to court tomorrow.”

Eira blinked several times, shook her head, and tucked her hair behind her ears. “I’m sorry, I don’t think I heard—”

“Tomorrow, I would like you to be my guest at court,” he rephrased. The eloquence Cullen could usually muster had returned the third try.

“Why?”

“It’s not because I want to be around you.”

“Obviously.” Eira rolled her eyes. “Given my shock, I thought you’d realize I know that.”

Cullen’s lips curled into a thin smirk. There was a mischievous glint to his hazel eyes that Eira wasn’t used to and didn’t know how to read. “Your brother asked me to do it.”

“Still unclear as to the why.”

“Rumor is, the obstacle course for our next trial is being set up in the training grounds. They’ve been closed off for the entire week, so it seems likely. The training grounds aren’t far from court and there is a back entrance to them where, sometimes, the nobles will go to observe the guards running drills.”

“Why would they want to do that?” she blurted.

“The things boredom can drive wealthy people to do would shock you.” Cullen shrugged. The way he said it made it clear that he didn’t count himself among those “wealthy people,” which struck Eira as odd, given his status. “In any case, if I slipped out of court to go take a look, it would be noticed. But if I brought you…well, you’re pretty good at being overlooked.”

“Thanks,” she said dryly.

“I meant no offense, just a fact.”

“Well, the fact is offensive.”

“Mother above, you are abrasive.” He put his hand over his face and sighed.

“Only to people who are abrasive to me.”

“I have been nothing but kind to you.”

Eira snorted at his remark.

“Oh? How have I been unkind?”

Eira folded her arms over her chest and turned to the windows. She hated the memories the mere question dredged up. “You know how.”

“Eira.” His tone softened some. His eyes searched her and she felt vulnerable under his gaze. “I had no idea what Adam’s letter said. I didn’t know what he was planning to do to you. Don’t shoot the messenger.”

“Stop.”

“I didn’t support them.”

“Lies.”

“Don’t call me a liar,” Cullen snapped.

“Then don’t lie to my face! You and Adam were inseparable. You still are. There’s no way you didn’t know.”

“I seriously had no idea!” He pushed away from the table and advanced on her.

“Lies,” she repeated. Eira jutted out her chin as he crossed the threshold of her personal space. Her heart raced. Cullen opened his mouth to speak but she cut him off. “Even if you didn’t know, you let it happen. You were—and still are—complicit to him torturing me. You stood by him after, and everyone in the Tower looks up to you, so you told everyone with your actions that what Adam did was all right.”

Her words seemed to shake him, but only for a moment. “Just let it go. Everything will be better for you if you do.” He almost sounded sincere. Compassionate? The notion soured her stomach further.

“I will not. Not until justice has been properly served.”

“Justice?” He scoffed. “Says the woman who killed someone and still walks free.”

Eira took a step back like he’d struck her.

Cullen looked away guiltily. “I shouldn’t have said that. I’m sorry.”

“What do you care?” Eira grabbed her elbows, holding herself.

“Eira, I—” He faltered. His hand hovered in the air, as if he’d been about to reach for her. Eira looked between it and his face and Cullen dropped the offending appendage. “I can understand.”

“Oh, you can? The perfect Prince of the Tower.”

“I can more than you know.”

“Just stop.” Anxiety was welling up in her at the memory of the incident. She hadn’t meant to, but she had killed someone. It would always make her feel cold, clammy, off-balance. It should. That was her punishment.

Her usual mental barriers were weakened and the voices began to slip through.

…I don’t think I can master this technique. It’s hopeless…

…You like her! Gregor has a crush…

…I know I have no choice. I’ll do whatever it takes to keep up this game. If the truth ever got out, my family would be ruined… Cullen’s voice.

The last voice was his, resonating from the mantle. Who was he speaking to when he said that? How long ago had it been? What dark secret was he carrying? He could understand more than she knew? Suddenly the ascension of his family to nobility, his father’s senate seat, everything was cast in a slightly more nefarious light.

The door opened and both of them turned to find the empress.

When the startled expression wore off Vhalla’s face, she smiled almost a little too sweetly. “I apologize for interrupting, Cullen. If you need to reschedule our lessons today I’d be happy to do so.”

“We were just wrapping up.” Cullen cleared his throat and hastily stepped away. It wasn’t until then that Eira realized how close they’d been. She pushed ice under her cheeks to keep them from warming and making the whole situation look worse.

“Apologies, Your