Each MC must pen a letter to a loved one before entering their challenge. Below is Kaia's letter to Tayo.
Tayo,
I’m sorry.
I know that it broke your heart to see me standing on stage, in front of all those fae, getting engaged to another man. I should have told you about Cyrus. I feel horrible. I am horrible. But please believe that I never wanted this. This engagement was forced upon me. I only want you.
Prince Cyrus is an idiot, and the idea of being in the same room as that man long enough to get married makes my skin crawl. I can't even imagine after the wedding. I feel sick just thinking about it. I don’t care that he's an elf or that my mother thinks he can protect the fae. Being married to Cyrus is out of the question.
I wasn't lying when I said we’ll rule this kingdom together someday, and I’d do anything to make sure that can happen… even volunteer for the deadly Eldritch Trials. But don’t think this is all about you. I’m also doing this for my father.
I still cringe every time I walk past the kingdom graveyard. I know that everyone says my father is dead, but they never found his body. And I have reason to believe that some of the answers I seek are on the island of Elderton, where the Eldritch Trials take place. So yes, I'm doing this so that I don’t have to marry Cyrus, but I hope to find the information I need to restore my family and my kingdom.
I know you’re worried about me and you don’t think I should have volunteered for this. But I'm no helpless princess. Okay, so technically I am a princess. But I'm not above getting my hands dirty when required. Speaking of hands… I already miss your touch and I haven’t even left yet. I don’t want to get too mushy in this letter, but when I get back I'm fully expecting you to make sure all this was worth it. With every bit of enthusiasm that you can muster.
I hate that you are stuck there without me, surrounded by shallow-minded fae. I’ve asked Mallow to keep watch over you while I'm gone. He’ll warn you if the fae folk decide to go vampire hunting and he’ll make sure you have time to escape.
Keep me in your prayers until I return, and know that I love you.
I’ll see you after the trials.
Yours always,
Kaia
Read Kaia's Story
