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

“Terrible, I know. I’m not saying I forgive him. But maybe Noelle was manipulated then like I was?”

“Maybe she wasn’t.”

“If not, then she’s clearly learned.” Eira shrugged. “I guess it just doesn’t seem that important after today. I can’t willingly carry that weight any longer.” Alyss continued to stare strangely at her. Prompting Eira to ask, with a nervous laugh, “What?”

“I feel like I’m watching my little sister grow up.” Alyss wiped imaginary tears from the corners of her eyes.

Eira gaped. “I’m older than you!”

“By a month!”

“Still older.”

Alyss rolled her eyes. “We all know I’m the mature one.”

Eira let out a small laugh.

“There, that’s what I was hoping for, a laugh.”

“You’re impossible,” Eira said softly.

“Takes impossible to know it.” Alyss smiled up at her. This woman was the one thing that still seemed real in Eira’s shifting world.

With Noelle, the colors of her world had been smeared yet again.

Cullen was being raw, and real, and vulnerable around her. Noelle wasn’t being cruel or haughty toward her. Marcus was still an unknown. And Eira, she…she wasn’t who she thought she was.

But Alyss was there, right where she always was. Eira slipped her arm around Alyss’s, hooking her elbow and pulling her close. “Thank you.”

“What did I do now?”

“You’re dependable. You’ll always be there when I expect you. And I need that right now more than anything.”

“I know,” Alyss said softly, squeezing her bicep and pressing her side flush against Eira’s. “Nothing will ever take me from you.”

“Good. I’ll kill anything that tries,” Eira said as they started into the mess hall. Alyss laughed. But Eira had never meant anything more.

Dinner was catered by the chefs from the palace again. They had clearly been working on the food for the entire day. A whole hog roast was presented on a buffet for them; buttered rice, spring vegetables, and dishes of steamed pudding prepared alongside it.

Eira arrived before Marcus—a fact she was grateful for. She was focused on her food, head down, when she saw him finally arrive with Cullen from the corner of her eye. She couldn’t bring herself to look at him outright, but she stole glances when he was focused elsewhere.

His shoulders were a bit hunched. His gaze seemed distant. Eira hated seeing her brother look so forlorn, but the distraught expression gave her some hope. If he was as shocked as she was, then he hadn’t known. This wound could bond them. It would be a tether between them when everything else was called into question…she hoped.

Fritz entered the mess hall, and following closely behind were the emperor and empress themselves. The entire room jumped to their feet—all twenty-two remaining candidates plus Cullen—and bowed their heads in respect.

“Please, sit, everyone. You’ve had a long enough day as it is,” Vhalla said graciously.

The apprentices all lifted their heads, glancing around. No one seemed to want to be the first to sit. They were trapped between what they viewed as expected decorum toward the royals, and a direct command that ran course opposite to that decorum.

Unsurprisingly, Cullen was the first to take his seat. If anyone knew the correct protocol when it came to dealing with royals, it was him. He was followed by Marcus and Noelle, then the rest of them. As they settled back onto the benches, Fritz, Aldrik, and Vhalla assumed position at the front of the room.

“The emperor and I wanted to come and congratulate you ourselves,” Vhalla continued. “Each of you had an impressive run through the course today. We know many of you took hard falls, but you endured and pressed on. You have all earned your pins today, every one of you. Take pride in the fact.” She brought her hands together, clapping, and the room followed suit.

“As you know, one of the goals of our reign has been to oversee the better integration of sorcerers with Commons.” The emperor stepped forward, hands folded behind his back. His slightly crooked nose, dark hair, and angular features made him a harsh and imposing man. Emperor Aldrik radiated a presence up close that had the room stilling and a slight terror worming its way into the back of Eira’s mind. “Because of this, we are particularly invested in finding the best sorcerers to represent our Empire. People who are honorable, strong of heart and will. Sorcerers of astonishing power and skill. Sorcerers that even the Commons who are the most steadfast in their ways will cheer for.”

“To that end,” Vhalla continued where her husband left off. “The third trial is one of our own design. My husband and I wished to craft a trial that will allow you and your magic to shine as only you know best.” She motioned to Fritz to continue.

The minister stepped forward and Eira stared over his shoulder rather than in his eyes. She didn’t dare be the one who averted her eyes entirely. She wouldn’t be that rude outright. But she couldn’t stare at his face after their recent interaction. After it became clear that he thought she was one breath away from killing even her own parents.

“The third trial will occur in just under two weeks. We are calling it ‘the creation,’” Fritz said. “You are to create something with your magic that will impress us.”

“Create something?” Alyss repeated softly.

An apprentice raised their hand. Fritz nodded at the young man. He stood with a quick bow. “Sir, Your Majesties, what is it that you would like us to create?”

“That’s the beauty of this trial,” Vhalla said with a smile. “Your creation is entirely up to you. What form it takes, how you present it, are all your decisions.”

The apprentice slowly sat down. He looked as confused as the rest of them.

“You will be given ten minutes each to present your creations,” Fritz continued. “The emperor, empress, Prince Romulin, and Ambassadors Cordon and Ferro will be your judges for this trial. The trial, as the others have been, will be open to spectators. It will be conducted at