Crown of Blood and Wings (Ash Kingdom Book 1) by M.R. Polish

Author:M.R. Polish [Polish, M.R.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2022-05-12T16:00:00+00:00

FOURTEEN

Mym propped her feet up on the table in my room. “You need to stop pacing and focus. This trial is different. The arena won’t be open like last time. The king has it altered to make it harder. You should practice your symbols. As soon as you get a weapon, you need to mark it.”

My stomach rolled. The second trial was approaching. I wanted to run away and never see Eylia again. The mark Mym placed on me stood out, reminding me I would never make it past the castle barricade. I couldn’t even make it to the city beyond the wall.

I was nothing more than a prisoner. “Will there be more dead ones?”

Mym removed her feet and glanced at Finian with a knowing look. “Yes. But it will be worse. These dead ones have been fed and are strong.”

I folded my arms across my chest. “How do you know so much about them?”

Finian’s head dipped. “Caitin…”

Mym touched his shoulder. “No. She should know. If she survives the Trials, she’ll find out anyway.”

“What will I find out?” I walked to them, taking a seat at the table.

Mym looked straight at me. Her gaze pierced through to my soul. “The dead ones. They’re created from magic.”

“You mean…” I looked between her and Finian. “You created them?”

Finian wouldn’t lift his gaze to meet mine. Mym stiffened. Her breathing hitched momentarily before rising from the table. “Our hands are tied. The king bound us together, and if I don’t do what he wants, Finian will be punished as well.”

I couldn’t imagine Mym or Finian using their magic to create those creatures. To play with the dead in such a disrespectful way rolled my stomach. The idea was preposterous. Magic should never be used like that. The king’s need to possess power was darker than I’d ever thought. To manipulate any mage to use their magic in such a way was abhorrent.

I glanced down at my own binding mark. It was just another way for the king to control us. Would he expect me to help create the dead ones too? What would happen if I declined? It wasn’t just my life I had to worry about now. Layke was connected to me, and I to him. “How?”

“That’s not important right now.” Finian clasped my hand. “Right now, you need to worry about the trial and how to survive.”

I stood and walked to the balcony. Overlooking the town, I wondered if Silas and the Order had made it. Whatever he had planned was supposed to happen during the second trial. Did Silas know I was here? Would he be able to save me? Should I tell Mym and Finian about the Order and the plans to make a distraction during the trial?

“Caitin, it’s time.” Finian joined me on the balcony. “Are you ready?”

“Do I have a choice?”

Mym gestured to the door. “Come on. We’ll walk you to the arena.”

Downstairs, there were still a few participants milling around. If they were like me, they weren’t too excited to rush back to the arena.

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