Chapter Three
590 Words
I was wakened by servants when the morning sun barely illuminated the sky. The Courtship Trials were beginning today.
I put on a plain purple dress and walked to the arena. The seats were already filled with hundreds of people. All people desired to see the suitors put to the test.
Luna came to me, nearly jumping out of his skin.
"Finally! Something interesting. I got so sick of all that formal introduction stuff yesterday.
I smiled despite my nervousness. Luna was always able to cheer me up.
“Three days, three trials,” she said. “Strength today, wisdom and magic tomorrow. May the best man be your love interest.” And she wiggled her eyebrows at me.
“Luna!”
“What? I mean, that Adrian guy looks like a nice person. And handsome. Did you see those eyes?”
My cheeks heated.
“I barely know him.”
“But you want to,” Luna teased.
Trumpets were blown before I could answer. The trials were beginning.
Morgana was at the center of the stadium, her voice being enhanced by magic.
"Welcome to the first trial! Today our suitors are going to show their power and fighting skills. They shall single in combat each against another.
Suitors came into the ring one after another.
Lord Marcus fought with great efficiency and no graciousness. Sir Aldwin was a cold, skilled person. Prince Dorian was an over-talker and almost lost his life because of that.
Then Thorne entered the arena.
His rival was a professional fighter, skilled and powerful. But Thorne did not only beat him. He destroyed him.
Every hit was vicious. Thorne did not stop when the warrior attempted to give way. He continued to assault until the man was lying on the ground bloody and half conscious The crowd cheered. They thought it showed power.
I felt sick.
“Well,” Luna whispered beside me.
“G
Forbidden Magics: Cross-Species Transformation.
My blood went cold.
He looked up and saw me. His face went white. He closed the book and rose hastily.
"Aria. I did not know that anybody was awake.
“What are you reading?” My voice was more shaky than I wished.
Just reading to get ready for the trial tomorrow. You see, so that I can be ready.
It is the book of transformation magic. Why would you need that?"
“I--” He stopped. Started again.
“It's complicated.”
"Then uncomplicate it. Aria, what hast thou to hide of me?
He looked torn. As he could have told me but could not.
“I can't,” he finally whispered.
“You wouldn't understand.”
“Try me.”
“Aria--”
Then there was a sudden ringing of bells in the palace. Loud and urgent.
Guards came flying out of the library, and their voices were panicked.
Vampire in the east wing!
“Lock down the palace!”
Find it before it hurts somebody.
My heart stopped. I looked at Adrian.
His visage was all turned white. His eyes were wide with fear.
And on his shoulder, through his thin sleep shirt, I could see something glowing. A silver crescent mark. Shining with moonlight.
A vampire mark.
“No,” I whispered.
Adrian stared at me, and I read all in his eyes. Guilt. Fear. Love. Desperation.
“Aria, please, let me explain--”
But I was already withdrawing. The object that I was falling in love with was the object that I had been taught to despise in life
- Writer
