I wake up early on the day of the second trial, before the darkness has even cleared from the sky. Not like I slept much anyway. There's too much anxiety riffling through me, as I consider all the ways this could go wrong.

And there are a lot of ways.

As much as I try to think through my plans to death and plug in every loophole I can, there are no guarantees I will survive this second trial, any more than there were guarantees that I would survive the first. My training with Wolf made me stronger, but there are still undoubtedly stronger warriors in the trials, and this time, I don't have the element of surprise on my side.

But I have to believe I'll win. Losing is not an option for me.

This is your final chance.

The voice is a reminder I don't need. I have my dead comrades, my friends, in mind as I get out of bed, steeling myself. This is my last rebirth, so it will be my last chance to save them.

I blink in surprise as I spot clothes laid out on the bookshelf presumably for me.

A tunic that is neither old nor new, pants in my size, a tad longer than my feet, but could be easily rolled up.

And most importantly a scabbard and belt, big enough to hold a dagger.

The door opens revealing Wolf, a grim expression on his face.

“Are these yours?" I ask, lifting the items into my hands.

“They used to be, many moons ago.”

I wonder just how long ago it was when Wolf was my size. Probably way before adolescence. I can even imagine him as a big toddler sitting there with that same deadpan expression he's giving me now.

The thought makes me giggle.

“What?” he asks.

I shake my head. “Nothing.” And then I walk past him, into the chamberpot room to ease myself and change.

When I come back out, he has also changed into a similar tunic. Tied to his side, is what looks to be a rusty axe and in his hand is a significantly sleeker dagger.

“Take this." He hands me the dagger. I take it then toss it back and forth in my hands.

"Another item from your infancy?"

“It was my mother’s.”

“Oh." I stop what I'm doing, feeling undoubtedly awkward and unworthy. Wolf insisted that I sleep in his mother’s room despite my protest, but this feels like too much. I feel the need to hand it back to him but then I won't be able to defend myself I have no weapons.

Once more I have no choice but to accept. “Thank you.”

Wolf nods and taps a spot on his neck, the same spot that Savannah showed me in another life. "Stab them here if you can. It paralyzes them at once and kills them almost instantly. They won't be able to retaliate."

That was precisely what Savannah told me in the past. “I’ll keep that in mind."

He watches me oddly and I realize that, in his eyes, I'm still supposed to be a common maiden who has never seen battle in her life. This is supposed to be the part where I soliloquize about how I've never killed someone before and how wrong it is to take a life, and how I'm not sure I can do it.

Except none of that woudld be true. I may not have killed anyone up to this point in this timeline, but I kill several people in the future and it's sincerely a lot easier than I thought it would be, especially since most of them were trying to kill me first.

Wolf finishes his inspection of me and turns around. He's already out the door before I realize that he intends for me to follow him.

"Oh, come on." I run to catch up.

We head out down the hill and today I find myself much more easily keeping up with his rapid pace. I guess all the training has worked well to improve my stamina, and I feel the difference even in just a few days. I have new muscles I didn't have and more energy than ever before. Perhaps it's also because I'm well-fed for the first time in years. I also have more optimism, strange because I may just be walking to my own demise.

We make the journey in familiar and companionable silence. I'm grateful for it. It allows me to play the plan in my head over and over, ad nauseum.

Since I know part of how the trial is going to go, I have an advantage over everyone there. There will be two teams battling against each other, to capture a golem. The team that gets the golem advances to the third trial.

I also know which leaders will be selected for the teams. Prince Casteer is going to be one of the leaders. Ideally, I want Wolf and I to get on the same team as Caster. Not only is he a formidable fighter, I know for a fact that he wins the golem. Also, being close to Caster puts me in the safest spot, even with Brute on the same team. The bastard won't want to offend Caster by touching me and I just need to avoid being killed by anyone on the other team.

Now without being on Caster's team, things are a little more difficult, and unpredictable. Not ideal at all for my plans.

Well then, we just have to make it on his team.

Yes. And I have a plan on how to achieve that too.

The plan is inelegant and crude, but I think I'll probably just ask Caster to put me on his team. For all his faults, Caster doesn’t want me dead, and he has proved that he still cares about me in his shallow way at least for now. And he likely still feels some guilt about choosing Genya over me.

So I'll play on that guilt, pretend to still be heartbroken, so he'll put us on the team to make up for it.

That would be the best.

Devious wench, the voice says, but it sounds almost proud of me. Playing with that boy's feelings.

Yeah, well, he played with mine first. I know Caster has no choice but to marry Genya and he technically hasn't done anything wrong to me yet, but I still can't forget all the things he does in the future, all the ways he disappoints me. Perhaps it's wrong to hold it against him and judge him for things he hasn't done yet, but I can't strike the bitterness from my chest.

But failing that – getting on Caster's team – then I just need to just make sure I'm on the same team with Wolf.

Of course, I'm a little less sure about the outcome of that plan. While Wolf is powerful, he is a wildcard because he has not partaken in these trials in my other lives. And neither have I. We're both unknown variables and it's risky for us to act too far outside of the script, because then things may start unravelling quickly.

By the two of us being here, we've already changed something in the timeline, and maybe taken the place of two others.

Suddenly a horrible thought occurs to me.

In the past life, Savannah told me that Caster picked her for his team in the trial. But what if, by picking me this time, he won't be able to pick her? What if she ends up on the other team and is hurt as a result?

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The image of Savannah dead flashes in my mind.

Shit. I don't want to take her place. I don't want her hurt and I definitely don't want her to die. What can I do to ensure she doesn't?

Perhaps for you to survive, someone people would have to die.

No. I respond to the voice firmly. I won't let that happen, but I also can't think about that right now. There's already so much to consider, I won't be able to do what I need to do if I think about Savannah.

If she does end up on the opposite team, I just need to do my best to protect her.

I'm so lost in thought that I don't even realize that we've walked past the Village Square and are now squarely on the beaten path to the Black Castle.

King Drogo's castle bears that name because it's made of black stone and extends into the skies, casting a dark shadow over all its environs. It's not the most beautiful thing, but it is the oldest building in the North, one of the few that stood past the first Pangean siege.

The siege claimed the lives of the King's two eldest sons, but the castle remained an unconquered stronghold and the King survived. Neither fire nor storm nor Pangean magic could bring down the Black Castle. Now, the castle is a symbol of the resilience of the North, just like the scars that mar the King's visage.

And the scars in his heart.

Caster told me the story at some point, and although he'd been too young to understand, he knew how much that day affected his father. King Drogo became a broken man, unable to give love his remaining son after the loss of his children, that followed closely to that of his wife.

Perhaps that’s why Caster grew up to be such a loathsome toad.

I take a deep breath and remind myself that I need to ask the prince a favor and so I can't be thinking about what a loathsome toad he is. I need to look like I'm still in love with him, and play the part of scorned fiancee perfectly. I need to recover whatever feelings I had for Caster or at least, play at a convincing facsimile of it.

I especially need to look heartbroken.

I glance at Wolf for a second. What will he think of me, when he sees me talking to Caster again? Will he call me unladylike once more?

I like it. I like that you're the way you are.

I blush as I remember Wolf's comment. I know he didn't mean it like that but I draw confidence from it anyway.

The castle is surrounded by a tall curtain walls between the castle towers, also made of black stone. At the entrance, two Elite Guards stand, allowing people in. They only flicker a glance at us before nodding us inside. They likely recognize us as competitors because they watched the first trial.

The announcement about the date and time for second trial had been posted on a bulletin board in the Village Square and it held all our names on it. There were about a hundred of us.

Wolf and I enter the general indoor courtyard and spot dozen of the other competitors who are already here. They stop and stare at us at our arrival, the room growing silent as we advance.

I suppose most of them were shocked to see me enter with Wolf, or perhaps they're shocked to see Wolf altogether. Up until two weeks ago, some thought the man was only a myth or at least that his strength was overly exaggerated. But no one could say that after they saw the way he took down that one man with a single blow.

And then after the other contestants eyes glaze over Wolf, they flicker to me curiously. They want to what I'm doing with him. They perhaps sense the beginnings of a juicy story, fresh gossip for the winter. I'm not used to such regard on me and feel a blush working its way under my tunic, but I try not to show it. In fact, I try to maintain the same bored affect that Wolf has but I'm not sure I succeed because when I catch Wolf looking at me out of the corner of his eyes, I think I see amusement in his gaze.

Yeah I know. I'm not pulling it off.

I resist the urge to stick out my tongue at him. Nevertheless, he must read my mind, because his lip kicks up showing he's even more amused.

Wolf immediately heads for a dark corner, near an oak tree, and I follow him. Bodies part as he approaches, but they also lean toward him as though they want to be close, but not in his way, they want to feel his presence but not touch him in any way that sets him off.

At least with most of their attention on Wolf, I can survey the room in peace. I don't see Caster or Brute yet so I stare down at the rest of the competitors seeing who I recognize.

Suddenly, the front doors of the castle open again and Caster arrives with Brute in tow. My stomach tightens as Genya, attired in a long flowing gown of rich brown, stands in between them

Well. That just made my plan infinitely more difficult

How am I supposed to talk to Caster with his betrothed and his louse of a friend both there?

I sigh and Wolf gives me a curious look.

Caster and Brute were in a conversation as they walked in. Caster looks frustrated but he tries to hide it smiling at everyone who greets him on the way in.

And then his eyes fall on me and the smile disappears.

Coldness enters his gaze but it takes me a second to understand why.

Rats.

I suppose it was a bad idea for me to stand with Wolf.

Darn. I didn’t think of that, didn't factor in Caster's clear animosity toward Wolf. The second I got here I should have stayed away from Wolf, so as not to tick off Caster.

I turn to Wolf, who is not looking at anything in particular but he is staring in the direction of Genya and Caster. Genya is staring back at him with that naked desire and she licks her lips in a shockingly inviting move.

Did she just...

I turn to Wolf but he'd already looked away to scan something in the distance.

I can't forget about what just happened though. What was that about? Why is Genya so interested in Wolf? Did Wolf know Genya? Is something going on here that I don't understand?

Never mind that. I don't have time to figure out any of that right now. Back to the first order of business.

“Wolf, I need to go talk to Caster.”

I don't know why I'm telling Wolf or asking for permission. He doesn't look at me, or acknowledge hearing what I said, but I have a feeling he's not pleased.

“Aren’t you going to ask why?” I ask.

"Are you going to tell me why?” he says, something a little tight in his voice.

I open my mouth and then close it again.

“As I thought.” His eyes fix on me for a single second, before flicking away again.

I feel dismissed and ashamed for some reason.

No matter, I have to do this, for both of us. I feel all eyes on me as I walk toward Caster.

I hate this.

I hate this. I hate this. I hate this. It echoes in my head, the humiliation playing out before I even experience it.

I know from the self-satisfied spread across Genya's face that she will enjoy it, as will Brute if his irritating snort in any indication. But perhaps, what irritates me most is the slightly victorious tilt of Caster's head when I reach him.

“Can we talk?”

Caster rocks his head side to side, contemplating.

Brute answers first, laughingly. "You really enjoy humiliation, don't you Muzungu?"

"Your entire existence is a humiliation unto your parents." My tongue once again speaks faster than my brain and the words spill out. At least I get the satisfaction of watching the smile on Brute's face dim and anger flash in his eyes.

I'll likely pay for that later, but for now, I'll savor it.

"You damn bitch – "

Caster holds up a hand to halt Brute's words. Instead, he glances at Genya, a question in his gaze.

She shrugs. “I have no problem with it." She flashes a smile, warm and open. "I understand that these things can be hard to navigate and it’s not like I would expect you two to stop caring about each other suddenly."

He smiles at her. "Thank you, Genya."

Yes, thank you, Genya.

"But I don’t think this is the appropriate time for this,” Caster says firmly. "I’ll talk to you later, Adria."

Oh no. My stomach drops. Oh shit.

"It's vital that I talk to you right now, Caster"

"Later," Caster says firmly. And to add to it, he takes Genya’s hand and walks away.

"I can’t wait to crush you," Brute whispers in my ear as he passes by following them. And though I wanted to say something smart back, I can't because the possibility of Brute crushing is looking more and more likely.

It's not over. He could still pick you on the team.

Or he might not, so as to honor his relationship with Genya.

I sigh and rub my hand over my face. So now I’ve humiliated myself for nothing.

Ignoring the stares and snickers, I return to Wolf who also has a smirk on his face.

“That went well,” he says and I jab my elbow into his side, a strike he barely acknowledges. It's like hitting rock.

“This is bad,” I mutter biting my nails. “This is very bad.”

“What is?” Wolf eyes me curiously.

“I need to talk to him or we may be in trouble,” I explain.

Wolf glances over at the Prince then make a chuffed sound. "I could make him talk to you."

I shake my head. I can only imagine that Wolf's way involves violence and I can't guarantee even that will make Caster listen to what I have to say.

And then suddenly, it's too late.

The doors are open once again. A throne is carried in by five guards and places on a raised wooden stage at the end of the courtyard. The King strides in with his chiefs beside him, and a whole procession of about fifty noble Pangeans behind him.

As the King takes the throne, the procession fans out, encircling the candidates who move to the center of the room. Wolf stays in his corner and after a moment of indecision, I stay with him.

"Welcome to the second trial," the King says.

"Greetings you Highness, the Shining Star of the North, Great Protector" we greet.

"Now," King Drogo continues. "Although, we had an initial plan for the second trial, involving battle, we've rethought it. We have a smaller amount of applicants this year and we want to make sure all qualified participants live to the third trial."

I frown. Did this happen last year? What's going on?

"So now, the second trial is as follows," he continues. "Each candidate will walk forward and give a brief speech. Convince me why I should allow you to join the Elite Soldiers. And I will decide on who can proceed."

After a single moment of stretched silence, murmurs start to break out. I see smiles across faces, and relief shining in eyes. Most are happy that there isn't another battle. They live to fight another day.

But for me, this my worst nightmare.

It's the worst possible scenario, one that I didn't even dream would happen.

King Drogo doesn't agree with women joining the Elite Soldiers, and he has a well-known distaste for foreigners.

I am both woman and foreigner. I also dated his son.

King Drogo likely hates me.

And now I have to convince him to go against that hatred and prejudice, and let me become one of his Elite Soldiers.

A battle was one thing.

This is an impossible task.