Stolen Princess

24. Watery Memories

When I emerge, Sosha quickly slaps oily black paint across my cheeks, over the bridge of my nose and forehead.

"It smells," I complain, scrunching my nose, but she ignores me as I expected.

"Oren and Leif will make the trip back to Enedina's after nightfall," Talon informs me, holding out the sword for me to buckle around my waist. I frown darkly at him, but he doesn't say anything else.

"You know he needs me," I grumble as Sosha gathers my hair in one pathetic knot at the crown of my head, smearing the blonde hair with remnants of black paint.

"Never mind - you need to focus," Sosha orders, smacking me on one shoulder as she finishes her work.

"Have you ever met a merfolk?" Talon asks slowly, and I can he already knows my answer.

"Can't be much worse than Orcs," I reply with a shrug. He nearly cracks a smile, but Sosha remains unmoved.

"They speak in riddles, and they will absolutely suck you dry of blood if you're not careful," she warns and I shudder at the idea.

"Suck my blood?" I repeat in disgust, glancing at Talon to see if she's lying.

"My brother says you're nearly begging them to do it after they've got you all turned around and mesmerized," Leif interjects from his place by the fire.

"Thanks for that Leif," Talon growls at him. But it's too late, I'm already more nervous now than with any other task.

"Can I take Sam?" I ask, glancing over to where the moosebear is curled around Naatan next to the fire.

"No... it's just you," Sosha says with a heavy sigh.

"Lovely," I murmur, chewing at my lip, "What are we waiting for, then?"

It begins to rain as we make our way to the arena, and as promised, the water rolls from my skin leaving the black paint intact, along with my identity. I think again of my stupidity this morning, and scan the crowd for Alek's face. I'm certain he knows... now it's only a matter of what he'll do with that information.

"What's wrong?" Tal murmurs from my side, and I realize the rest have fallen several paces behind us, Oren included.

"Nothing," I answer with a shrug, looking away from him again. We're walking further apart than before... but at least he's speaking to me again.

"Fine," he answers tightly, and I look at him in surprise.

"That's it?" I hiss in a whisper, glancing once over my shoulder. Oren is watching us again.

"You're thinking of going into the forest by yourself aren't you?" he accuses, but he keeps his eyes straight ahead as we walk. I duck my chin to my chest, and fall silent. I'm not quite willing to lie to him, but I won't be admitting to that either. He seems to know anyway, and rewards me with a weary sigh as we enter the arena.

There's not as many spectators this time, either because of the rain or the trial itself... but I know that every living soul in Vasnea will be in attendance at the final trial tomorrow. My stepmother is notably missing, but my father waits as the competitors file in to await their instructions. My Orcs break away from me, joining the other pages in the stands and I take my place beside Thio.

"Oren," he murmurs in greeting, grinning at me. I roll my eyes heavenward, he really is much too jovial for this kind of thing where we could be killed.

"Let's just get this over with," I say breathing out through my teeth as anxiety claws up my neck.

"Welcome noble knights to this fourth trial in the tournament," my father speaks benevolently, honoring each knight with a half nod as he addresses us. I shift uncomfortably in the wet sand beneath my feet, remembering his words about my mother... and what they meant about me. I was a bauble... a piece of artifact brought back from distant lands... just another piece of gold in a dragon's hoard. My mind flits to my mother without permission, and not for the first time, I wish I knew her... even just her name.