He greets Octavian, throwing a sword towards him to begin their training.
“Over here.” Florian gestures his head for me to walk over towards them.
But I hesitate, my heart catching in my chest as I catch sight of him. Koen.
Just saying his name in my head makes my body heat like an inferno.Gods, why couldn’t you take this feeling away from me?
How will I ever be able to leave the Realms knowing he will be here?And I will not.
But so much has happened. In such a short amount of time.
I shouldn’t even feel the way I do towards him…not after everything.
His gaze is already fixed on me, and the moment our eyes meet, his melt with a tender softness that hitches my breath. I get lost in the golden emerald hues that flicker in his eyes, which sends a longing ache through me.Gods… his eyes.I have just seen him, yet it feels as if years have gone by since I laid my eyes on him. If I ever want to give into this, this burning desire for his body just to be close to mine once more, I won’t be able to.
My touch will kill him.
And thatkills me.
Thatdestroys me.
But there he is, standing now in the distance near the vine-covered brick wall, bathed in the soft morning light. The golden sun flickers against his warm skin, his curls falling to his shoulder as his hair isn’t tied up in a bun today.
The Gods here made himso beautiful.
But so deadly.
My heart flutters like a wild bird in my chest as I yearn for him to move toward me. Almost begging him to take a step towards me.
But I fear, we both know, it's impossible for us to be near each other.
Would he try and kill me as he said he needed to? Or would he let the Gods decide my fate?
“Serene,” Florian calls out as I stand frozen, his brows pulling tightly together as he looks over his shoulder towards Koen. Koen rips his gaze away, knowing Florian would break if he saw what just happened between the two of us.
I clear my voice. “I’m coming.”
Koen’s jaw clenches, avoiding my presence as he walks to the far corner away from me and takes a few daggers from his waist to start throwing them against the wooden targets.
“I guess he is avoiding me,” I mutter out to Florian.
He cocks his head to the side, his golden hair falling across his chest while revealing the white bow Kaine carved for me. “I think it’s for the best.”
My eyes widen, grabbing it gently from his hand. “You went into the dormitory for me?”
“Koen did.”
I tighten my grip on the bow, feeling the smooth curve press against my palm. “He can do nice gestures for me, yet still won’t talk to me?” A frustrated sigh leaves my lips. “I don’t understand him.”
“He fears he might hurt you.”
“Or does hefear me?” I move the bow over my shoulder, securing it snugly against my back. Kaine thoughtfully crafted a small attachment on my worn leather strap before the first game, designed to hold both the bow and arrows firmly in place.He said when the games are over, to stay in the Realm with him and Theon. That they would show me the ways of their world.
Teach me how to hunt.To fight.To be a part of something more than what my world could offer me.
Now, I believe none of that is possible. The only way for peace is for me to leave.
“Let’s just get this day over with.” I walk towards the log, sitting down to tighten the laces of my worn, raven leather boots. “So what am I training to ride?” I let my arms rest over my knees, glaring at Florian who casually walks over, kicking a few small rocks that are covered in the white dirt. But then, I see Koen chatting with someone far out towards the Pyre entrance. The person is blocked by the walls. No one can enter unless they are a chosen, or with the Queen’s approval.
