I close it, eyes shutting as I breathe out a trembling breath. How I have always loved his name, something he has called me from the moment he met me that night in the Ice Nation. My stomach swirls, steadying my heart that races uncontrollably.
I reopen it, carefully, letting my eyes scan upward before reading what he wrote.
I remember the night of the dance, to celebrate the vow between you and Florian. How my heart ached as I watched the two of you up there, hand in hand, knowing that hand was supposed to be tangled with mine. Now, this feeling has taken over me once more. Knowing that my hands cannot be wrapped within yours. Knowing that my arms cannot hold you close. Knowing I cannot protect you from the darkness that is insideme. But what I can promise you, my dear little Spark, is that my heart shall forever be yours. Even if its light is completely shattered by the dark, even when Tileatha controls me with the blue flame, my heart shall forever beat for you and only you. If I die today, know that I died for you, and have lived only for you.
With love,
Your Koen.
A tear rolls down my cheek.
Gods be with him.
I close my eyes, letting out a shaky breath. I hate him. Despise him. But damn it, who am I kidding, my whole body burns for him. Every inch of me loves the man that just walked out for the Gods to decide his fate. Even though part of me wants him dead if Alice is truly gone. But I want it to be from my hands, not the Gods.
Alice better be alive so I can forgive him.
“Tristain Kileson,” the guard shouts, and my eyes snap open.
I frantically scan the room, my body shifting on my toes, but Koen is nowhere. My heart slams to the bottom of my stomach as nausea runs up my throat.
“Please tell the Queen I am sorry!” The man falls to his knees, begging the guard for mercy.
He kicks the man. “Get up, or head to the caves for your death!”
“I didn’t mean to do it! I swear, they forced me to help them!” Tristain holds his hands up, frantically clawing at the guards armor. “The horses won’t bond with me! I know it! I’m a dead man!”
“I am giving you one more chance!” He gives him a swift kick this time against the face. “Get up and head out there, or we will take you to the caves!”
Blood gushes from Tristain’s nose as he pushes off the ground and rushes through the tunnel to meet his fate.
“This goes for anyone. You try and run out there, the guards will kill you, or the archers will. You don’t walk through this tunnel to compete in the game, you will be thrown into the cave!” the guard screams, his finger pointing in the tunnel. “The Queen gives no mercy for those who betray the Realm! To the others, you decided to join the games at your own will and now you must finish it!”
But as the men whisper with what just unfolded, my heart turns into a frantic, deadly race.Where is he?
I shove the letter inside my pocket and sprint. I push forward, shoving my body against the few of the men and walk towards the guard.
“Where is Koen?” I grab the scroll that hides his face, pushing it down so he can lock eyes with me.
“Not you again,” the guard grunts. I suppose I didn’t recognize him as the same one from the first game.
“I need to know where Koen is!”
“I’m sorry, if they do not return, they did not pass this game.” He tries to lift the scroll again, but I shove it down.
“I need to go out there.” I lean forward, beaming a raging glare into his eyes. “I need to go through.”
“She’s just nervous.” Kaine swiftly runs up to me. “She doesn’t mean that.”
“Yes, I do,” I hiss.
“Get back in line,” the guard barks. Which pisses me off.
“Excuse me?” My brows twist upward. “Who did you—”
“Yes sir, we will right away.” Kaine grins, elbowing the shit out of my covered arm. “We will do just that.”
Kaine grins the fakest smile I have yet to see, taking his hand to grip my suit-covered arm and yanking me backwards. “You already disobeyed the rules of the games once. If you do it again, they will take you to the dragons.”
