The Luna Trials by Marissa Gilbert

1. Northern Hospitality

some kind of mistake,” Zara said reassuringly, checking her iPad. She always kept herself busy.“Of course,” Savannah chuckled. “Relax, Kyle. What else could it be?”They drove into the territory, and she was finally able to see what the high stone walls were hiding.It was a castle. A real castle! Huge, dark, ancient, and gloomy. Just like in history books.Savannah couldn’t believe her own eyes. She was a princess, yes, but she used to live in modern-style mansions. This was… so not what she expected. Even though her brother told her not to expect much from the North.And she didn’t. But she didn’t expect to get into the Middle Ages either.“Not important,” she breathed out. None of this was important. She just had to find Kai. Get married to him fast and be done with it. Then maybe they could work on some kind of agreement as to how their life together would be. Surely, they could agree on monthly visits. Hopefully, yearly, after she produced him an heir. Then maybe she could find her mate, kill him and just concentrate on her child. This was a good enough plan.She and her entourage got out of their cars. And Savvy noticed a woman in a dress too luxurious and open for the ugly and cold weather they had today, walking leisurely in their direction with a much younger girl by her side. The latter had some kind of folder in her hands.But it was the first one that bothered Savannah because she knew exactly who that was.“My name is Elene,” the woman smiled, playing with her heavy golden locks. “I am the Northern Princess and the sister of King Kai.”“It’s a pleasure to meet you,” Savvy managed to curl her lips in a smile. “I am…” “I know who you are,” Elene sneered, and Savannah swallowed. Of course, she did. Elene probably knew everything about her family. After all, all this started with her. Years ago, Kai proposed her hand in marriage to her brother. Gideon declined the generous offer. The first time Kai asked for Savvy as his wife was probably just out of spite. It was no secret that Elene was in love with her brother. And now that he found his mate and was happily married, all her dreams about becoming the Luna of the Western Kingdom were gone.She probably hated her. Not that the situation was Savvy’s fault. But she could see that in the woman’s eyes now.“Follow me,” Elene waved to her and started walking. Sighing, Savannah did as she was told.“Your castle is magnificent,” she decided to start small talk just as etiquette required of her.“Thank you,” the northerner smirked and turned to have a look at her. “The other contenders said the same. You will be able to enjoy northern architecture more if you advance in…”“Excuse me?” Savannah was never slow, and she stopped right there and then. She knew a scheme when she saw one. “Other contenders? Maybe the princess will be so kind as to explain to me what that means?”“Other contenders for the title of The Luna of the North, of course,” Elene gave her the most innocent smile. “What else could it mean?”“But I am king Kai’s future wife,” Savvy lifted her chin up to meet the woman’s delighted gaze.“Oh, no, dear. You got something wrong. You are a contender for the position of his wife. Con-ten-der.”  Elene spelt the word for her, enjoying the moment to the core.“There must be some kind of a mistake,” Savannah insisted.“There is no mistake, dear,” the princess of the North said, “You are a contender in The Luna Trials. Take it or leave it.”“The Luna Trials?” Savannah clenched her fists, “You must be kidding! King Kai is of a very high opinion of himself if he thinks that his future wife should humiliate herself by fighting with other women over the honour of becoming his Luna!”“This is the North,” Elene suddenly became sharp, and all her smiles were gone. “The Northerners will never take a Luna who is not worthy! If you want this place, you need to prove that you are the best among all possible options. You need to be of excellent health and lineage, you need to know how to behave, you have to