The Princess Trials (The Princess Trials #1)(28)

The mention of the palace round strengthens my resolve. Public humiliation is a small sacrifice to complete my mission. When the revolution comes, the Nobles’ cheers will turn to screams. They’ll want to dance jigs for our amusement.

My shoulders slump, and I run trembling fingers through my hair. I still don’t have a talent I can share with the audience.

The shorter stagehand places a hand on my brow. “You’re clammy.”

“I am?”

She places her fingers on my pulse. “Are you going to faint on us?”

“No?”

“Are you prone to swooning?” she asks.

“Swoon—” My brows furrow. “I’ve had enough water if that’s what you’re asking.”

“Drink more.” She reaches into her pocket and pulls out a water bottle.

“What is it?”

She twists the lid with a crack of its seal and places the bottle to my lips. “Smoky Free.”

I rear back and glance at the mountains on its label. “Smoky Water?”

“You get that in the Harvester District?” she asks.

“On the coach.” My fingers wrap around the bottle, and I take a sip.

Soft moisture floods my dry mouth. It reminds me of being young, tilting my head to the skies, and welcoming the first drops of rain on my tongue. There’s no flavor to this water, yet it’s the best I have ever tasted. I gulp down mouthfuls and squeeze my eyes shut.

For this blissful moment, there’s no Princess Trials, no OasisVision cameras, and no audience of Nobles baying for me to perform acrobatics. It’s just me, this water, and the hope that I’ll provide Carolina with vital intelligence that starts the revolution. When it’s over, Ryce and I will take our places together in the new democracy, and he’ll remember me as the girl who brought him peace.

I swallow the last drops of water and exhale a long, satisfied breath. “Thanks.”

“Feeling better?” asks the stagehand with a grin.

“Much.”

By now, the Phangloria emblem is onscreen, and the co-host from earlier broadcasts from the waiting room. He’s standing with the Harvester girl who just did the cartwheels, and she’s looking dazed.

“You drank double the amount as the last girl,” she says.

“Huh?” I stare at the bottle, but my vision blurs. “I can’t see—”

“Oh, dear,” she says.

“What?”

“You’re one of the zero point two-five percent who react badly to Free.”

“To water?”

“No,” she snaps. “Free is a stimulant that releases inhibitions. It’s to stop girls from freezing onstage.”

My heart cartwheels with panic, and I clutch at my chest. Violent palpitations vibrate against my palm. “You drugged me?”

She places both hands on my shoulders. “Stop panicking. It will only make things worse.”

“Wor…” My throat closes up, choking off my words, and I stare up at the stagehand with bulging eyes.

Strong hands push me down so I’m bent over double. One of the stagehands thumps my back, and I cough out a breath. My vision clears a little, and I fill my lungs, but the moment I raise my head, my vision swims, and it feels like my brain has turned to clouds.

It takes several minutes of heavy breathing to clear the lightheadedness, and when I glare up at the stagehand, I can see her wide eyes. “How could you—”

“When you joined the Princess Trials, you agreed to medical procedures, including taking supplements for your wellbeing and health. Didn’t you read the small print?”

I had pressed my palm on a blank screen, but that had been for identification purposes. There hadn’t been any talk of drugs. “They skipped over that part.”

“It’s done, now.” The stagehand helps me straighten. “Deep breaths. It’s almost time for your grand debut.”

“Has it worn off?” I ask.

“The side effects?” She tilts her head to the side. “Sure.”

The door opens, and before I have the chance to clarify that I had been talking about the Mountain Free, her companion places a hand between my shoulder blades and shoves me into blinding, white light.

“Ladies and gentlemen.” Montana’s voice sounds like a drumroll. “Her Majesty and His Excellency, please welcome our next contestant!”

My retinas sting. I don’t know if the stage lights are particularly bright or whatever was in the Free Water has made me light sensitive, but I won’t raise my hand like the other girl. Applause fills my ears as I step forward. It’s like walking into the sun, and I can’t stop blinking. The stage is hotter than I imagined, and tiny beads of sweat form on my skin.

The applause fades, and I continue walking on legs that won’t stop shaking. I can’t see Montana, the judges’ table, or any cameras, but I know from watching in the screens that they’re trained on me and broadcasting this moment to everyone in Phangloria.

“Where are you going?” A pair of large hands grab my shoulders and turn me ninety degrees to the left. “We’re over here.”

The audience laughs.

My heart sinks. Ten seconds onstage, and I’m already a laughingstock.

“Hel—” My throat catches, and I cough into my hand. “Hello, Phangloria!”