Kapitel 10: Meeting The Others

Selene tilted her head, her short red hair catching the dim light. "When this is over, I want my freedom. Completely. No chains, no bargains, no one holding anything over me."

Kade studied her for a long moment, his expression unreadable. "If you complete this mission successfully, you'll have your freedom," he said at last. "But if you fail—or if you betray us—you'll die. No hesitation, no second chances."

Selene nodded, her lips curving slightly, though it wasn't exactly a smile. "Fair enough. Now, what else?"

Kade straightened, rolling up the map on the table. "You'll meet the others today. They've been preparing for this longer than you, so don't expect an easy road."

Cassian moved toward the door, his posture rigid. "Be ready, Draven. The tests won't wait for you to adjust."

---

The dining hall was a ridiculous display of wealth, an overabundance of polished wood, golden accents, and gleaming chandeliers. Selene's eyes flicked to the long table at the center, where silver platters piled with steaming food filled the air with rich, tantalizing smells.

Her stomach growled, loud enough to make a passing servant glance at her. Selene ignored him, her gaze zeroing in on the roasted meat at the center of the spread.

She licked her lips. Gosh, she haven't eaten well for so long.

There were three women already seated, their chatter low and carefully measured, the kind of conversation meant to impress rather than connect. Their dresses were clean, their hair coiled into elaborate styles that probably took hours to achieve. They looked like they belonged in a painting, perfect and utterly boring.

Nobles ladies and totally different from Selene.

Selene wasn't here to play nice.

She strode forward, the skirt of her dress swishing against her legs as she pulled out a chair near the middle of the table. The conversation dipped as heads turned toward her.

"Who's this?" one of the women asked, her voice dripping with derision. She had dark hair twisted into an impossibly high braid, and her gaze raked over Selene with thinly veiled disgust. "She smells like she just crawled out of a ditch."

Selene reached for a plate, piling on slices of meat, roasted potatoes, and thick slices of bread. She didn't bother looking up as she answered, "And yet I'm still more interesting than you."

A few of the women gasped softly, their fans twitching in unison. The dark-haired woman leaned forward, her lips curling into a sharp smile. "Interesting isn't the same as useful. The king doesn't need someone who looks like they just learned how to use a fork."

Selene finally glanced up, a piece of bread halfway to her mouth. She blinked at the woman, slow and deliberate, before letting her gaze sweep over the rest of the table. "Do any of you actually think I care?"

The silence that followed was almost delicious. Selene took a large bite of her bread, chewing thoughtfully as the other women exchanged uneasy glances.

One of them, a petite blonde with wide blue eyes, cleared her throat nervously. "You could at least try to be... polite."

Selene shrugged, taking her time swallowing before she replied. "I could. But that wouldn't be very fun, would it?"

The dark-haired woman's expression darkened, her fingers tightening around her goblet. "If you're not careful, you'll find yourself out of this competition before it even begins."

Selene leaned back in her chair, a slow, sharp grin spreading across her face. "Thw fact that you think you competition is sweet and all" Her golden eyes gleamed. "But really you aren't."

One of the ladies giggled, which earned her a glare.

Before the woman could snap back, the doors at the far end of the hall swung open. Every head turned as a regal figure swept into the room, her presence commanding without effort. The queen.

Her dress was a masterpiece of gold and black, the fabric glinting with every step she took. Her dark eyes scanned the room, cold and calculating, as her crown caught the flickering light of the chandeliers.

Selene's gaze followed her, and for the first time, she paused mid-bite. There was something about the queen's stride, the way she didn't so much as glance at the food or the women gathered at the table.

It wasn't just confidence—it was control.

The queen stopped at the head of the table, her silence stretching until the other women scrambled to stand. Selene stayed seated, her fingers still gripping her fork.

"Stand," the dark-haired woman hissed under her breath.

Selene smirked, taking another bite of meat as she finally rose, but not without dragging her chair back loudly enough to make the nearest servant wince. The queen's sharp gaze flicked to her, lingering just a second too long, before moving on.

"Ladies," the queen said, her voice like silk over steel. "You've been chosen for this task because you each possess something unique. Grace. Wit. Charm." Her gaze swept over the group, sharp enough to cut. "But make no mistake—this is not a game. Only three of you will move forward. The rest..." She let the sentence hang, her meaning clear.

Selene tilted her head, letting her lips curve into a faint smile. She liked this woman—dangerous, precise, and not interested in pretending otherwise.

The queen's gaze landed on her again, and this time, it lingered. "And you," she said, her voice soft but no less commanding. "What do you bring to the table?"

Selene didn't hesitate. "A knife."

The room froze, the other women staring at her in horror. The queen's lips twitched, though whether it was amusement or disapproval, Selene couldn't tell.

"Bold," the queen said after a beat. "But boldness without purpose is reckless."

Selene stepped forward, setting her plate down with a quiet thud. "Then maybe you'll teach me purpose."

The queen's dark eyes narrowed, her expression unreadable. "We'll see if you survive long enough to learn."

And just like that, she turned, sweeping out of the room without another word. The tension she left behind was suffocating, but Selene only picked up her plate again, plopping back into her seat and digging into her food like nothing had happened.

The dark-haired woman was the first to speak, her voice a harsh whisper. "You're going to get yourself killed."

Selene glanced at her, her golden eyes gleaming with something dangerously close to amusement. "Probably," she said, spearing another slice of meat. "But at least I'll do it full."

Kommentar Kommentar von 0

Abstimmen

GESCHENK VERSENDEN

next chapter

Load failed, please RETRY