Justthe thought of this sets the crowd buzzing at the dangers that would come.
“That sounds absolutely sporting,” Xavier says, stepping forward, his wife on his arm for once. Her lips are pressed into a thin line as Xavier squeezes her hand, holding her in place. Behind them, someone—I assume Finn—begins a chant.
“Tri-als! Tri-als! Tri-als!” More and more people are joining in, and they’re getting louder and louder with each round. The crowd is being whipped into feverish excitement. Whenwasthe last time that they held the Trials? Has there ever been one for the gods?
“SILENCE,” Galen booms. He’s unable to move from the spot where I am holding him. I watch his feeble attempt to pull a foot free. If he wants out, he’s going to have to flex his own power. The result instead knocks him off balance, almost causing him to fall.
“It would appear I have been left without a choice,” he says.
I feel the same way.
I raise one shoulder, turning my head away from him. “It’s best to give the people what they want. At the end of the tournament, we will have the largest and most glorious wedding that anyone has ever seen. Of course, not to outdo Xavier and Posey and their lovely wedding. I believe one year shall give us enough time to plan out and execute the Trials properly.” I try to buy as much time as I can. There is a groan from the crowd—they want a bloodbathnow.
“Three months,” Galen counters without missing a beat.
“Twelve months,” I say defiantly. The vines on his legs creep up to his knees. I pull my shoulders back and square them, ready to fight this one out. They say love is all about picking your battles, and this is one of those battles. I get more booing from the crowd.
“Six months,” he says. I can almost feel the desperation rising off his skin. “And in that time, you and I will continue to rule this realm as partners.”
“Iwill continue to rule this realm as its queen,” I say through gritted teeth. “You will be permitted only to advise on matters.”
“As your betrothed and rightful king, I will rule and take your opinion under advisement.” His words are cutting and set my teeth on edge.
“Ah! Lovers, perhaps this discussion is meant for another time. Behind closed doors, and with some hanky-panky.” Xavier steps forward.
I turn to him quickly. He feels a tickle in the back of his throat, and I know it. He tries to cover it up, but he starts coughing into his free hand, finding dirt. His eyes flick from the dirt in his hand, which he casts aside, to me. His retaliation is instant, my lungs filling with water. I try to cover my need to cough, but it splits my focus. Galen finds his way free from my vines. I ease up, Xavier clearing his throat, and the water vanishes. It would seem the weather boy has learned a few tricks in my absence.
“For six months, you shall both have a say in the running of your realm, but given that my brother is of royal birth, he will have the stronger vote. You two are to live in separate wings of the house until you are wed. It is only proper. Then you shall have the wedding bash of the millennium.” He pauses, and when neither of us objects, he claps. “Wonderful, glad to know that all parties are agreed. Now that we have our next party planned, everyone—get out.”
A few in the crowd look offended and start talking to their neighbors about what the next six months will bring. Many don’t make the move to leave. They don’t recognize the authority behind the King of Gods.
“I’m sorry,” Xavier says, placing his hand over his heart. “Was that rude? Please,get out.” Finn starts to usher people out the front door. Helene is taking cups from people's hands and pushing them toward the door as well. Even without my vines binding him, Galen is rooted to his spot, watching people leave. I don’t move an inch either, stuck in this odd standoff with him and Xavier.
Some people I don’t recognize approach Galen and give them their congratulations while eyeing me up and down. Others are just mad that the party is over. More than a few people approach me to welcome me back.
After all the guests have departed, only Xavier, Posey, Helene, Kai, Galen and I remain. Finn ushered Zara and Cat to their rooms, knowing that this is out of their depth.
As the last group leaves, Galen advances on me quickly, grabbing my throat and pushing me against a wall, squeezing. I panic, unsure what my mortality looks like now. My powers aren’t fully back, but I have righteous anger on my side. He is out of control, and it’s my fault. My falling into his trap emboldened him and gave him the opening to make his play for the throne. The well of my powers was never as deep as those of the royal children; it’s why they’re rulers of their own realms—all except Galen. For now, I can handle small rebellions, but nothing I do will let me outlast him.
“Where is Essos!” Galen shouts in my face, spit flying. He squeezes harder, and my hands claw at his, desperate to put some space between his grip and my windpipe. I dig my nails into his skin, trying to get him to let up. When I get no traction, I drag them down his face. I’m elated by the blood I draw. His hands only tighten in response.
Xavier and Helene spring toward him, but I hold up a hand to stop them. Galen’s grip relaxes, as he has to heave. He stops to look at me before throwing up actual flowers, releasing me fully as he throws up a second time.
I cough and clear my throat, gingerly touching the bruises already forming around my neck. Healing them will take too much out of me right now, and I need to be able to fight back before anything else. I am shaking inside about what he has just done, but I cannot let him see how he has affected me. My anger is the only thing keeping me going right now.
“Let us make one thing clear,betrothed.This is my home. My realm. Xavier can pander to you all he wants, but you’re in my house now.”
Xavier crosses his arms, a smug smile on his face. I want to hit him for his alleged neutrality that is anything but neutral. He chose to protect a murderer over me, and I willneverforget that.
“Even if I knew where Essos was, the last thing I would do is tellyou, you pathetic, murderous cockroach.”
Galen takes another step toward me. With all my power, I push him clear across the room. My power is draining fast, but I cannot show him this. I’m sure he knows that my well goes only so deep, but how many other goddesses have been reincarnated? My upper lip feels wet, but I ignore it. I will push through another nosebleed to show him that I am not to be trifled with. Essos was wrong to think that I was safe around his brother at all.
“Lay hands on me again. I dare you.” My voice is gravely and low, danger in every word.
Xavier steps between us before things can escalate further. I am grateful for this at the moment, as a headache starts to build, the adrenaline rush from tonight wearing off. I wipe my nose with the back of my hand, and a quick glance at my wrist confirms that I indeed have another nosebleed.
Xavier rubs his chin, as if reaching for a beard that is no longer there. “Enough. Both of you are acting like children. I laid out the rules very simply. There will be Trials, to be determined by myself and the Council, and you will both rule over this realm. We cannot leave death unregulated.” He pointedly ignores my blood.