Fireblood (Frostblood Saga #2)(50)

“Can’t sleep?” he asked, shutting the door with his foot.

I shrugged.

“Neither could I the night before my first trial.” He held out a cup. “To ease your nerves.”

“Is this tea or wine? I need to be sharp tomorrow.”

“Which means you need sleep. Just a few drops.”

I sighed and took the cup. He clinked his against mine. “To becoming a master.”

“Are we toasting you or me?”

He grinned. “Both.”

All was darkness outside the glow of my single candle. The emptiness pressed against us as if it wanted to swallow us whole. For all I knew, this night was my last, the last time I’d feel the comfort of a bed, the last time I’d dream my dreams and think about the person I cared for most in this world. I’d written a letter to Arcus after dinner, telling him things I’d never had the courage to say to his face. Hot tears had fallen, making a mess of the ink and sizzling tiny holes in the parchment. I hoped he’d forgive me. For that and for everything else.

I pushed the thoughts of Arcus away, at least as much as I could. He was never far from my mind.

“You’re confident I’ll pass, then?” I asked, my stomach knotting. I recognized the nerves—they were the same I’d felt every time I’d had to enter King Rasmus’s arena.

He gave me a reproving look. “I wouldn’t have wasted my time this week if I thought you couldn’t pass.”

Not as reassuring as I’d hoped, but maybe that was high praise from Kai. After all, he’d failed at least one of the tests.

“Did you pass the first trial?”

“Of course. I passed the first two trials, which is why I don’t have to retake them.” He took a drink and then stared at his cup, swirling it gently. I watched his dense lashes, several shades darker than his hair, cast shadows on his cheeks. He looked almost melancholy, which was so unusual for him that my heart squeezed a little.

I took another sip. “Do you ever consider how cruel the trials are? They’re risking the lives of anyone who isn’t strong enough. I see little difference between this and the Frost King’s arena.”

“The trials are a choice,” he said defensively. “No one is forced to take them. And there are ways out of the first trial for anyone who realizes they’re not strong enough to finish.” He snapped his mouth closed, as if realizing he’d said too much. “However, if you leave, you forfeit, and you’ll never be allowed to take them again.”

“Unless I bargain with the queen like you did. Oh, wait, you’re the exception to all rules.” I forced a smile.

“Indeed.” He lifted his goblet to me in acknowledgment, his lips curving, then drained it and set the goblet down. “Well, I suppose I should let you get some sleep. I don’t want to be the reason you’re fatigued on the most important day of your life.”

“Before you go, I have a favor to ask.” I went to my dressing table and picked up the rolled-up parchment. “If I don’t make it out of my trial, I’d like you to make sure this gets back to Tempesia.”

Kai frowned at the scroll. “To whom?”

“Arcus,” I said simply.

He frowned and didn’t move to take the letter.

“Just get it to him.” I pressed it into his hand. “It’s a last request. You do honor last requests here, don’t you?”

“We try.”

“Thank you.” I paused. “I’d appreciate if you didn’t read it.”

He looked offended. “I wouldn’t do that.”

I nodded, feeling a little awkward, though I didn’t know why. We stood in silence for a few moments more.

“You will pass tomorrow,” he said, his eyes bright with warmth. “Just stay calm. Remember your training.”

I tipped my cup, drank in a series of gulps, and offered it, empty, to Kai. “Thanks for the drink.” Craving oblivion, I turned and crawled into bed to settle under the covers.

“Sleep well, little bird,” he said, shutting the door with a quiet click.





The carriage wheels creaked in the predawn hush, depositing Kai and me at the school as sunrise bruised the sky. Master Dallr waited in the entryway. As we came closer, he held up one calloused palm to Kai, who halted beside me.

Kai took my hands briefly in his. He looked at Master Dallr and then bent to my ear. “Lava will burn the flesh off your bones—you or any Fireblood. Don’t hesitate. Don’t look back.”

I looked at him sharply. My already elevated pulse sped up even more. Was he breaking his oath by telling me something about the trial? His gaze was dark, intense. I dipped my chin to show him I’d taken note. His fingers tightened before letting go. I turned and followed the Fireblood master without looking back. My stomach was a tight knot of nerves, but my mind was clear and determined.

Instead of entering the school, Master Dallr veered onto flagstones leading around the side of the building, then to a scrubby footpath that climbed a steep, rocky hill. As we crested it, the sun’s rim peeked over the horizon, casting a pink glow over the undulating sea and the smudges of distant islands.

He gestured toward the shadowy bulk of a small building of gray stone. When we reached the inside, I saw a life-size statue of Sud holding a bowl of fire. The master knelt and pressed his forehead to the floor, and I did the same, mouthing a quick prayer. As he knelt, a chain slid from the collar of his robe and clunked against the floor. A black key hung from the end of it. The key to the library! My fingers itched to reach out and grab it.