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

Tower side of the hall opened, finally, and Cullen strode through in all his court finery. He came to a sudden stop, as if walking into an invisible wall, and just stared. Eira’s feet halted as she did the same.

Cullen was dressed in deep purple trousers that clung to legs far more muscular than she expected. The hours he spent on the training grounds with the empress clearly weren’t for show. His long, gray coat had a sheen to it that looked almost like liquid metal. Two lines of buttons trailed down the front, ending just above the hem at his mid-thigh.

“I…hello.”

“Hello, Cullen.” Eira wasn’t accustomed to being more eloquent than him. He must be more nervous about what they were going to do than she was. “I did as you instructed.” She smoothed her hands over her skirts.

“I see that, and you—you look…” He trailed off, staring once more. Cullen shook his head. “You look perfectly acceptable for court.”

“Ah, I’m so glad I look ‘acceptable’ for the Prince of the Tower.” She could’ve sworn she caught the ghost of a grimace at the mention of his moniker this time. “Shall we get this over with?”

“Let’s.” He breezed past her. The entire walk to the court, Cullen kept his eyes forward. Not once did he glance her way.

The hall for the Solaris Court was a stately building set between the training grounds and water gardens that stretched out from the grand Mirror Ballroom. The lavish gardens leading up to it were a menagerie of topiaries trained into winged and hoofed beasts in cages of heavy flora. Eira had seen the hall from a distance before, but she’d never had a reason to explore closer—this was a place for the Lords and Ladies of Solaris. Common folk like her weren’t made for this hallowed ground.

Yet, as she crossed the marble threshold, no one rushed over to shoo her away. Eira let out a soft chuckle under her breath. She was surprised Cullen heard.

“What is it?”

“Nothing.” Maybe something of her uncle’s lordship had brushed off on her. Maybe she could navigate these waters.

“You have an almost worrisome smile.”

“I am not worrisome.” Eira shot him a glare, surprised to find a lazy grin hanging on Cullen’s cheeks. “Fine. I begrudgingly admit that I am grateful Marcus shared with you my measurements. It felt like a betrayal of trust yesterday. But now I feel like I blend in as well as the statues or drapes.” Eira kept her voice to a hushed whisper.

“You do,” he said softly. “As long as you can refrain from opening your mouth and exposing just how unpolished you are.” Eira jabbed her elbow into his side, a little harder than even she intended. He grunted and hissed, “What was that for?”

“Sorry for my unpolished movements. Clumsy me,” Eira said sweetly.

“You are seriously—” Cullen began to growl. But he was cut off by a singsong voice belonging to a woman dressed in a red ensemble finished with actual western rubies.

“Lord Cullen, it’s so good to see you.” The woman gave a bow of her head. “I see you’ve brought a guest with you today. How peculiar.”

“Lady Allora, this is Eira. She’s a fellow apprentice in the Tower of Sorcerers.”

“A delight to meet you, Eira.”

“And you as well, Lady Allora.” Eira tilted her head as she’d seen Allora do, hoping she didn’t break any etiquette. For all she made jabs at Cullen’s finishing lessons and the airs he put on, Eira suddenly could appreciate their necessity if he had to survive in this world. Every movement here was under scrutiny. Eira had never felt so many sideways glances cast her way, and she was one of the most unwelcome people in the Tower of Sorcerers.

“I see you’re a candidate as well.” Allora’s eyes dropped to her pin. “You don’t intend to try and beat our Cullen, do you?”

If I wanted to, I could, Eira barely resisted saying. She said instead, “I am a Waterrunner. We’re not in competition.”

“How good for you.” She turned her attention back to Cullen. “It’s not common for you to bring a lady with you. What should we think of this development?” Allora adjusted the furs around her shoulders with a serpentine grin. Eira noticed a few other conversations slowing around them so people could listen in.

“Think what you will. Far be it from me to deny you any delight you may glean from rumors to pass the hours of your day.” Cullen’s response had the tone of a rapier being drawn from a sheathe. Strong, deadly, and elegant. “Eira, if it pleases you, I would love to share with you my favorite pieces of art here in the hall.”

“I’d be delighted,” Eira said, hoping she read the situation correctly and he was looking for an out.

“Take care, Lady Allora.” Cullen bowed his head and escorted Eira away. Her hand had yet to leave the crook of his elbow since entering, and what had originally been a reluctant touch now felt like a lifeline.

“It’s not a problem that you brought me, is it?” Eira went to glance over her shoulder.

“Don’t look back,” Cullen hissed under his breath. She snapped her head forward once more. “You’ll give her the satisfaction of knowing she put you off guard.”

“The rumors are true, this place really is a viper pit,” Eira murmured. Cullen ignored the remark.

The hall was split into three stretches. The main stretch, which aligned with the grand entry, had a soaring, vaulted ceiling supported by square columns. On the outside of the columns were two other stretches, lined by windows and art. Men and women drifted throughout with nothing better to do with their time than be beautiful, stare at pretty things, and spread gossip.

“The door I mentioned in my instructions is ahead.” Cullen gave a nod toward a small side door, tucked in the corner. “Do you have any questions about the plan?”

“No.” Eira shook her head. He’d been fastidious with his instructions on how the day