Page 188 of Feralheart

Our trial had been easier than the others described.

Not marginally, but substantially.

The darts shooting from the walls of the long tunnel had been spaced wide enough that even Reece’s damaged dragon had cleared them without a problem. The timing had been generous. The corridor well-lit.

I’d heard the other elite riders describing trials that had stripped them to the bone like Fen’s had.

We’d emerged without bruises.

I turned it over the way I did a coin when I suspected it had been shaved. The weight felt wrong. The balance felt off. Had we stumbled into a trial meant for someone else? Impossible, given the doors had opened specifically for us.

Or the trial had been adjusted. Softened. Which meant someone had a reason to keep us breathing past the third gate.

After wringing out my clothing, I stood, watching the water run past, trying to make some sense of it all.

Luck could run out. Someone with a reason to keep you alive could always find a better reason to change their mind.

I strode back to the tent I’d share with Lyndie that my fellow commons had set up before we arrived, though I doubted someone had told them we’d survive and to make sure we’d be comfy.

I draped my clothing over boulders and started toward the elite camp.

“Eradin.”

I turned. Lyndie and Reece had set up a small meal near their tent. Bread, cheese, and fruit, laid out on a cloth, water flasks beside it.

Reece waved me over.

“Join us,” he said.

“I have other plans.”

Lyndie’s expression didn’t change, but her eyes solidly met mine. She knew exactly what I meant.

Heat crawled up my neck. “I promised I’d check on someone’s shoulder wound.”

“Right.” Lyndie tore a piece of bread, her movements careful. “The prince’s shoulder.”

Reece’s face tightened, and he kept his voice low so it wouldn’t carry. “He looks at you differently than other elites look at commons.”

“I don’t⁠—”

He held up a hand when I started to speak. “I’m not saying it’s wrong. I’m saying be careful. The world won’t let you have it, even if you both want it.”

Did everyone see what I’d been trying to bury deep enough to suffocate before they noticed?

My face went hot. “I don’t⁠—”

“Eradin.” Reece’s voice softened. “I’ve been watching people survive by reading what they’re not saying for years. And the way you look at him…” He shook his head. “Just be careful, alright? Some things the court won’t forgive.”

Lyndie stood, walking around the small fire to where I’d frozen halfway between their camp and escape. Her hand landed on my arm. “Be careful with your heart. You can’t heal that kind of wound.”

Warmth flooded through me. These people cared. They saw me running toward something dangerous and were trying to warn me away

I had to win for Tolross, but it was getting harder to wish I’d beat them.

“I’ll be careful,” I said.

Lyndie squeezed my arm before letting go.