Cara Wylde [Wylde - The Test

THE TEST

A RISE OF THE ASH GODS PREQUEL

- reverse harem romance

Copyright 2019 by Cara Wylde

Cover by Otilia Jakab

All rights are reserved. This book or any portion thereof may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever without the express written permission of the publisher, except for the use of brief quotations in book reviews.

This book is a work of fiction. The names, characters, places, and incidents are fictitious or have been used fictitiously, and are not to be construed as real in any way. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, actual events, locales, or organizations is entirely coincidental.

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CHAPTER ONE

Valentina threw the book shed been reading for the third time in frustration, jumped out of her bed, and started pacing the room angrily. Half a minute later, she stopped, sighed, and went to grab the book off the floor and place it neatly on her desk. This wasnt like her. Getting worked up, throwing things around, letting anxiety get the best of her No. She opened the window, straightened her back, and closed her eyes. Breathe in, hold, breathe out. Six times, because she had a thing for the sixes, and she felt grounded. She was a witch, for Goddess sake! She knew better than to lose her center like that!

Its going to be fine, she whispered, eyes still closed. Im going to be fine. Its all in here. She touched her temple, then moaned as if in pain, snapped her eyes open, and ran to the bathroom. She bent over the toilet, and when nothing came out, she flushed anyway and proceeded to brush her teeth and splash cold water on her face.

All right, it was time to admit it. She, Valentina De Rossi, Apprentice of La Congrega di Spade, was stressed, exhausted from barely sleeping five hours a night, and scared of the test she absolutely had to pass the next day. Yes, scared of a test. Valentina, the A+ golden girl who everyone believed was an honest to Goddess genius. But this test was different. She could smash Algebra, English Literature, Anatomy, Botany, Scrying, Tasseography, and even Pendulum Divination, which was oh-so-finicky, but the test that would decide her very fate? The Test?! She could start hyperventilating just thinking about it. She needed a distraction. Any distraction.

Valentina rearranged the pillows and covers on her bed, closed the window, checked herself in the mirror one last time, then finally headed downstairs. Her black leather flats didnt make a noise as she gracefully descended the stairs. She was wearing a leaf-patterned dress in the colors of autumn, and a single gold bracelet around her thin wrist. The bracelet had been a gift from her dad for her 18th birthday the month before. She wore her long, black hair as usual, in a thick braid pulled over her right shoulder. She often caught herself thinking how some people normal people would probably think that paying so much attention to the way she was dressed and how she carried herself in the house was ridiculous. Who was going to judge her sense of fashion? The maids? Her parents? Her mom wasnt even around for dinner most days It didnt matter who saw her. Valentina wasnt part of that group of people she secretly half admired and half envied. She wasnt normal. She was a De Rossi, so she had to act like a De Rossi even when she was sleeping, taking a shower, or using the toilet. She was the youngest of her lineage of witches and Keepers of the Spades, the only hope of her family, the one who would carry their name into the future, and she had to take her role seriously.

Wheres Mom? She sat across from her father, who was absorbed in a book, and motioned for the maid to bring her a cup of tea. The middle-aged woman already knew what the young mistress wanted. Valentina had such simple and predictable needs that, when it came to the house staff, she didnt even have to say a word. The witches working for the De Rossis could practically read her mind.

Out.

Valentina rolled her eyes when he didnt look up from his book. When had her dad become interested in Angel Readings, anyway? That was so not like him.

Out where?

He sighed and shrugged.

I couldnt tell you, honey. She said something about an art exhibition and then coffee with the girls.

I cant believe it, Valentina whispered under her breath.

Shell be home by dinner.

But, Dad I have the test tomorrow!

Finally, Cosimo De Rossi put his book down and looked his daughter in the eyes. His whole demeanor softened. It was impossible not to when Valentina was the spitting image of her mother, Adelle. Well a kinder, more pleasant image of her, if he were to be honest

I know, honey, and you will do great. Im here for you. I took the day off from work so Id be around the house in case you need anything. We can do a quiz test if you want.

That made her heart feel lighter. She smiled. It was amazing how her dad could always make her feel better with just a few well-placed words. Too bad he was busy six days a week and away on business trips a few times a year.

I dont think a quiz test would help, but thanks.

Thats the beauty of it! You can study however you want.

Nope. That wasnt the beauty of anything. Not for Valentina, who loved rules and clear strategies. This is the curriculum, this is the bibliography, and this is exactly how you need to study for the exam. Delicious predictability! Maybe what she was really scared of wasnt the test itself, but the fact that shed have to step out of her comfort zone to take it.

Seeing how shed zoned out, Cosimo went to sit next to her on the couch. He placed his big, soft hand on top of hers. Even in his fifties, he was a handsome man, albeit a bit chubbier than when he married Valentinas mother, who was thirteen years younger than him.

If you ask me, I think your mom made sure she was busy today because shes too nervous to sit still. Dont tell her I told you.

Valentina gave him a reluctant smile. The maid brought her lemongrass tea, and she took the hot cup between her palms. It burned her, so she drew a quick, simple cooling sigil over it with her eyes, then blew it inside the ambery liquid.

Dad?

Yes, baby?

Do you think I can really become High Keeper of the Spades one day? Do you think I have it in me?

Cosimo hesitated for a split second, which didnt go unnoticed.

I do. He grabbed a stray strand of hair that had escaped her braid between his fingers and tucked it gently behind her ear. I have no doubt that you are the next High Keeper.

Am I? I havent even passed the test to become a Keeper in training. She was distracted, though. She really needed his words of encouragement, but now she couldnt fully absorb and enjoy them because of that stupid strand of hair. How could she had missed it?! She fought the urge to undo her braid right then and there and do it again. Perfectly, this time.

Stop worrying about it! Youve been preparing for this for years.

Thats not what Mom would say. She shuffled uncomfortably and took a sip of tea. The rich taste didnt help to distract her.

Mom is not here, is she?

Shell be here at dinner, and shell want to know what I did all day. She stood up as if the fine leather of the couch had suddenly burned her. I better get back to studying. She started walking toward the stairs, then remembered to turn to him and give him a smile and a thank you. He waved at her and returned to his book.

Always show your parents how grateful you are for them. Always, Valentina scolded herself mentally. Where are your manners? Pull yourself together, Val! As she walked briskly to her room, because running in the De Rossi house was forbidden, she couldnt ignore the other voice in her head. How could she, when it practically screamed the exact opposite of every little thing Valentina was doing?