AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Gwendolyn held a mug of something, but she barely sipped it. Her mind was elsewhere. Chantal smiled broadly, at least when she thought people were looking. When her eyes turned away, I noted the haunted stare of regret that nearly overpowered her. Whatever Fitz said to her the night before hadn’t been friendly. She knew, just like the rest of us, she didn’t belong here.
We were supposed to have fifteen at this point in the competition, but only twelve contestants remained. Blair moved in next to me as though she’d come to the same conclusion.
“There were others in the ranks who wished to hurt the crown. They’ve been removed.” The narrowing in her eyes spoke of her suspicion. “They should interview everyone. The prince deserves to be safe.”
I broke off another piece of my pastry but paused before I popped it in my mouth. “Do you think they’ll bring anyone back?”
“No.” Her decisive answer surprised me. “Once Leo makes a choice, he doesn’t reverse it. They weren’t worthy, so he won’t try again.”
I wanted to question her familiarity with him. Most, at best, called him Leonidas, but not Blair. She was the driver’s daughter, but would that be enough to build familiarity, or was there a secret relationship there that he hadn’t told me about? After all, she was the second name he called last night.
Before I could snoop for more information, the producers rounded us up and ushered us into waiting vans. Six in each. The ride remained quiet, despite the buzzing energy. No one knew what to expect. I adjusted the beanie on my head and pulled my mittens down a little more. I wasn’t competing, but the idea of a challenge always got me revved up. With my type A personality, winning was the only option.
The drive took us on frosty roads about fifteen minutes outside of the capital city. Gwendolyn became more animated as we took another turn deeper into the countryside. “We’re in the Aclusia Province. I know where we’re going. We’re close to my town.”
Sadie tightened at the declaration. Where was she from? I hadn’t even thought to ask. Was she coming home too? It didn’t seem like it. More like she wanted to climb under the seat in front of us and hide until the whole thing was over. But that was pretty standard for Sadie.
Gwendolyn’s blonde hair whipped back and forth as she tried to look from one window to the other. “It’s Winter-Sparra, the adventure park. Have you been?”
I didn’t know who she was talking to, but it couldn’t be me because I’d only been to the airport and the palace. Blair’s mouth pinched tight as though the question offended her. “Once, as a child.”
“Oh, it’s gotten so much better.” The noble spun around to face Blair. “They’ve added two new skiing hills, and the ice rink is so smooth you feel like you’re positively flying.”
“Yeah,” Blair’s stare flicked to Eirene who echoed her same tense expression, “and the rates tripled to match. Not exactly within a commoner’s grasp, is it?”
All of the excitement bled out of Gwendolyn. It hadn’t crossed her mind. Money wasn’t something she had to think about, let alone worry over. But as her chin dipped down and she swallowed hard, I felt her shame for not remembering the others weren’t in the same situation.
Blair looked positively triumphant at her victory. Gwen turned to face the window again, and I had to wonder if Blair had noticed or even stopped to think how different Gwen’s reaction was than any of the other nobles’ would have been.
The van pulled into a parking lot and found a space. Moments later, the doors rolled back and a blast of frigid air stole my breath away. No one else reacted, but I felt dramatically hypothermic and hesitant to follow the rest of them outside. But the production team waited for no human popsicle and I dragged myself out into the frozen tundra.
Okay, it wasn’t a tundra, but my instantly frozen nose had my brain thinking otherwise. Snow was to be enjoyed from the indoors, in my opinion.
A cup of cider.
A good book.
The roaring fire that waited back in my room at the palace called for me.
But I wasn’t in Nolcovia on vacation, I was here to help Fitz, even if it meant I turned ice-blue in the process.
I followed the rest of them and the production team as they climbed icy stairs to the top of the snowy hill. From the top, I took in the whole scope of the place Gwendolyn had called Winter-Sparra. I counted two ice rinks, a half-pipe for snowboarders, and a ski lift that likely led to amazing skiing somewhere. To the far right, a circular ring had been cut into the ground, built up and surrounded by rock walls where a team worked to shovel it free of the night’s snow.
At any second, I expected the whole place to come to life with tourists, laughter, and children squealing with delight. Instead, a team of cameramen trudged down the hill, while the twelve of us, bundled from head to toe, stared at Tom, waiting for the shoe to drop.
It was all too perfect.
There had to be a catch.
But Tom wasn’t about to give away the surprise. “This way, ladies.” He forged forward as he sank in the snow almost up to his knees. I worried for Sadie and her petite frame. She might vanish in a deep section and we’d never find her again. When I faced her, it looked like the same idea had occurred to her as well.
Her coat, though thick, wasn’t new in any sense. Where my scarlet scarf, beanie, and mittens all matched, Sadie’s clothes were clashing, homemade, and threadbare in a few places. I made a mental note to let her raid my wardrobe later.
“Step where I step,” I kept my volume low to be sure Sadie was the only one who heard me, “it’s a trick my grandfather taught me when I was little.” I hoped she wouldn’t take offense to the little comment, but for a moment, her face brightened like I’d provided an answer to her greatest fear. Since her lips were already turning blue, I figured she needed all the help she could get to stay dry and warm.
I started walking again, only vaguely registering a few words exchanged between Esmerey and Astrid. With Lilith gone, I suppose she needed a new henchman. From the way she cast a side eye my way, I gathered she didn’t approve of me helping Sadie.
Well, tough luck, Toots, as my mom used to say when I didn’t get my way. Life isn’t fair, and it’s up to the rest of us to try to fix that where we can.
