Death.He mouths out to me.
I lean forward, my elbows resting on my knees with the dagger still in hand. “What do you mean?” I whisper so the man above doesn’t hear.
“Stay awake.” Kaine says as his eyes drift up to where the man lies before he rests his head back against his pillow, holding his dagger across his chest.
And I do the same.
Chapter 17
“The stones hold the secrets to the Realms. They hold the memories of the true Queen. If broken, the Realms shall fall into darkness and never return.” - Book of Azure
LIGHTS WENT OUT APPROXIMATELY THIRTY minutes ago.
The room was quiet for only a few seconds before most of the men began to snore. If I wanted to sleep, I doubt I could with ninety-nine men wheezing and snorting in their sleep.
My eyes stay wide, hardly blinking as I stare at the bunk above, waiting for any movements. But there is none. I’m sure I have heard the man known asDeathsnort as he gasps for air before sucking in an obnoxious snore.
I think he is asleep.
I believe Kaine and Theon are as well, I haven’t heard any movements from them. Now is my chance, with my dagger in hand I quietly arch my body out of my bed and stand.No boots.They will make too much noise, so I tiptoe around the beds, my dagger at my hip as I scan the dormitory.
The men lay in a deep sleep, undisturbed with the sounds coming from their mouths, their arms sprawled outward over the edge. Some drool as if they are exhausted from just the introduction of the battle games. I step around their arms, trying not to even slightly touch them. Most of them are entirely unclothed, their bare skin exposed to the dim light of the torches against the walls, causing me to swiftly avert my eyes, feeling the heat of embarrassment rise in my cheeks. Even though they cannot see me, I shield my eyes with my hands and scurry around them.
They could at least cover themselves with their damn blankets.I roll my eyes away from them, shaking my head as none of these men have been Koen.
Strong scents of sweat and unwashed bodies fill my nose, making my lungs ache with each inhale and gags desperate to escape my lips. But I cover my mouth and continue creeping past rows upon rows of bunk beds, their metal frames creaking softly under the weight of the men who toss and turn.
That's when I finally notice an arm with the fire markings of the oracles and my heart seizes.It's him.It has to be him.
I carefully walk closer, my toes pressing against the chilly, steel ground as I make my way to him. He is the last bunk, bottom bed right next to the wall. The torch perfectly lights up his body and I know…I found him.
There he lays, his tousled curls cascading around his sharp jawline, framing his face as his eyes remain shut. His chest rises and falls in a slow, rhythmic motion, as if he is lost in a deep sleep, with one arm casually draped above his head. I carefully climb over his shirtless body, my knees digging into the bed, and the sight of the claw marks slashed across his sculpted cheststartles me. My eyes trace the healed marks, starting from where his heart is and stretching down to the tip of his pants.
I lean forward, satisfaction coursing through me as I grip the dagger tighter and raise it to his throat. My face is mere inches from his. The blade's cold edge presses gently against his tanned skin, and I prepare to speak. To let his eyes open and see me before his final breath.
Yet, before any words escape my lips, I notice the corners of his mouth curling into a sly grin.
“I’ve been waiting for you,little Spark.” His green eyes open, sparkling with pure amusement. “You have this positioned all wrong.”
My heart sinks, and my nostrils flare with rage.
He has been waiting this whole damn time.He knew I would come.
His hand tenderly touches mine, guiding the dagger with precision to the exact spot on his neck where a swift jab against the spot would end his life in mere seconds. He swallows hard, his veins bulging visibly in his throat while his unwavering gaze is locked onto mine. Slowly, he leans forward, allowing the sharp tip of the dagger to graze his skin. His breath tickles against my lips. “This…” he whispers, “this is the spot in the neck where it's most vulnerable.”
He lifts my elbow up with his other hand, positioning my body where he wants me. “And this… is how you properly hold a dagger.”
My eyes drop to his lips, watching them move into an irritating grin. “I’m not here for a lesson, Koen.” I drop my tone into a deep hiss, making sure I don’t wake the others. “Why did you do it?”
I lean closer, our noses almost grazing as my eyes flicker between his.
“I didn’t.” His jaw ticks. “Why do you think I am in here?”
“To have the first seat at my death, I suppose?” I pause and my jaw clenches as I stare into his emerald eyes, watching the flakes of the golden tones dance against his cornea. “Or the Queen brought you here to do what she couldn't… to kill me.”
He squeezes my hand, and I suck in the wince that wants to escape my lips. The dagger falls, but he catches it right in time for it not to hit the solid floor. Within seconds, he has the dagger directly against my ribs, the tip of it pressing against my suit.
“I guess I was right.” My hands press into the bed, my strands falling in my view but I push them away, tossing them over one side of my head. “If you are going to do it, do it fast.”
