Robin

Robin groaned as she took a long sip of white wine spiked with a bit of blood. It gave the wine a slight pink color. Though Robin hated what she was, the blood did make her tingle in ways alcohol normally didn't.

After the events of the night before, she'd been on guard. The number of her guards had increased, and it felt like there was constantly someone at her back. Even if she wanted a moment alone, she doubted she would readily be granted it. 

"This is ridiculous," she muttered to Kova.

Kova chuckled and lifted their chin. "It's ridiculous to make sure the princess is protected?"

Robin rolled her eyes and settled into her seat in the rounded theater. The large amphitheater was circular in shape with a large central stage. They'd hosted everything here from plays to fights, though she wasn't much fond of the latter. They didn't let the women fight, and where was the fun in that?

"I think I can handle myself." Robin took the last sip of her drink and sat it on the table in front of her. The guests were slowly arriving, and she wondered what her father had in store for all of them. Did they know what had happened the night before? Did they know a murderer walked among them?

Someone being killed at court wasn't something unheard of though, as terrible as it was. Maybe they weren't as freaked out as she was. Maybe they didn't care because they were blessed and didn't have to care.

Except for Runea, Robin thought. The unblessed princess from Diamandis was human and vulnerable. Even though the princess barely knew the woman, her chest tightened. She didn't want harm to come to her.

Robin gulped. "Have you seen Runea yet?"

Kova nodded across the amphitheater where the visitors were beginning to file in. "She's just arrived." More softly, they said, "But you shouldn't keep worrying yourself with her. People will ask questions."

She didn't want to admit how right her friend was. If she worried too much about Runea, she may end up putting more of a target on her friend's back than necessary.

Trumpets sounded as her father entered the arena's seating. She sucked in a breath as she got to her feet, and the rest of the audience followed suit. She didn't want to know what her father had in store for them today. It was worrying with everything going on, and she wouldn't be surprised if he wanted to do something extravagant.

As he took a seat and clapped his hands, the arena fell silent, and the doors opened onto the stage below. 

People filed out, both the blessed and unblessed, most of which she didn't recognize. Each of them were dressed in the different attires of the gem kingdoms. If she were to guess, this was going to be a show of where the kingdoms had conquered. If throwing up wasn't unbecoming, she would have.

She stared across the arena and straight at Runea as the Diamandis representatives took the stage. They wore thick furs and their hair was tied back into intricate braids. Even though the foreign princess sat far away, Robin could see each of her expressions.

The unblessed princess was beautiful. 

She should be paying attention to the show, but instead she was staring across the crowd.

Kova nudged her with their elbow. "Stop staring."

Robin frowned and folded her hands in her lap. She squeezed her fingers hard and closed her eyes. Once she'd reigned herself in, she turned her attention back to the show. 

All of a sudden the music stopped, and the performers turned their attention to the royal court. They pulled the bows off their backs and put arrows into place. Why are they using real weapons? What had her father planned? 

The tips of the arrows lit with fire, and the audience gasped with anticipation. "I don't like this," Robin whispered.

Across the arena, Robin watched as Runea got to her feet. Their gazes met, and Runea mouthed something Robin couldn't quite tell before a volley of arrows started toward them and sent the arena into flames.