This world belongs to Kendare Blake, but the characters are original.
1 day before the Quickening
Charles Luy and Ash Fyry would be shown to the queens that night. Leia had learned their names from a priestess. Again, she was feeling queasy, but she shrugged it off as nerves, then smoothed the skirt of her gown. Leia stpeed out onto the stage, Nakhti stepping lightly after he.
...
Caitlyn was throwing up she was so nervous. Gia was rubbing her back and soothing her. Leia was already on her platform. Luckily, Caitlyn was the second-last to go out.
She watched as Cadence strode out and and stood on the elemetals platform, tall and proud.
Wiping her mouth, Caitlyn hurried onto the naturalist platform, Alene padding quietly behind her, looking at the naturalists that gathered in front of her platform nervously.
She watched as Calista glided out, head high, hair smoothly braided back, as confident as ever. The Gave Noir was set, and Isa Arron was beside her, her gaze focused on the crowd and the boats.
...
Calista glanced around subtly, seeing her sisters. Leia's face was drawn and tight. Caitlyn's hand was pressed against her stomach, face pale. Cadence looked pleasant and strong enough, but even she looked like she was in pain, ever so slightly. Calista smiled. All was going to plan.
...
Ash Fyry paced the deck, running his hands through his dark red hair. He knew the only other suitor was Charles Luy, prince of a different kingdom. They would soon be presented to the queens.
"Charles. Ash. Come," a woman said. She was dressed in a plain brown robe, and Ash guessed she was a priestess.
Ash followed Charles out from the boats, bowed to all four queens, then took his place on the cliff face.
First, Leia performed, the blue queen that had all the gifts. She performed a fire dance, then drew several animals from around the island, levitated several things with her war gift, and drank from a poisoned goblet. Ash shuddered. That queen had too much power, though it might've been stretched thinner because of the sheer number of the amount of powers.
Next was Cadence, who blew whirlwinds around the cliffs, having the water rise up and meet fire and earth, creating colorful whirling columns. Charles whistled under his breath, and Ash sighed in disgust. He knew Charles wasn't thinking of the powers displayed in front of them, but something else entirely.
"Problem, Fyry?" Charles asked.
"No," Ash replied through gritted teeth.
Next was Caitlyn. Flowers and vines twisted up and formed beautiful arches. Her familiar frisked around the artfully constructed paradise and curled up next to other animals, all completely harmless.
Last was Calista.
"Are you hungry?" Isa Arron asked, looking at the crowd. All an act.
"I am ravenous," Calista replied, voice low. She devoured the feast of poison, and Charles whistled again, to Ash's disgust.
"I think, if I had a choice of a bride," Charles said. "I'd want Leia. Then Calista. Then Cadence. Then Caitlyn. What about you?" Ash didn't respond.
He watched as Calista, Cadence, Caitlyn, and Leia moved as one to the center stage. Calista winked at Ash and Charles.
A priestess stepped up to all four queens, and bowed before turning to the crowd, restless and anxious.
"The Quickening has begun."