I rub my eyes, ignoring the fact that I might die tomorrow, and shrug. “Everything is fine. I’m going to grab some breakfast and head out to the pit.”
My lips form a fake smile before turning, but Koen’s hands stop me, grabbing my forearm to pull my back.
“You can talk to me.” His eyes narrow. “I’m all ears if you need me.”
My throat tightens knowing I cannot tell him how scared I am to face what is to come tomorrow, and I nod. “I know, Koen. Thank you.”
I pull away and grab the sizzling bacon and bread that lies on a wooden plate along the table in the middle of the dormitory. Some fruit as well, placing one apple between my teeth as I tuck the rest of the food in my pants pocket. I gesture with my head for Koen to follow.
His dimples emerge boldly on his cheeks as his lips curve into a gentle, teasing smile. A playful glint in his eyes beams from across the room as I stuff food into my pants. My favorite expression of his. He follows behind me, grabbing some food for him, with a soft chuckle escaping his lips.
IT’S BEEN DREARY WEATHER THE past few days with scattered storms that have brought heavy rain but today, the scorching sun is back out, toasting the land with its presence. I knew once the sun came back, the pit would be as dry as the desert.
My teeth dig into the apple, the juice sliding down my tongue as I walk across the bridge and down the wooden steps. A few guards are now posted up top around the ledge of the arena,while some hang flags across the ledges of the wall and others decorate the stands with flowers. My eyes narrow in, taking the last bite of the apple before tossing it to the ground and wonder, wouldn’t the dragons try to burn the arena down and escape?
Only time will tell.
As I walk, pastel flowers in soft shades of pink and lavender intertwine with blooms of deep, velvet red as they artfully weave around each row of the wooden benches by the guards. High above the arena, vibrant flags snap and flutter in the brisk wind, their vivid colors echoing the gemstones I touched back in the caves. But as I scan the arena, watching the men work to bring the games to life for those who watch, I catch her…Skie.
“Shit,” I mumble, ducking behind a few men as I weave through those who continue to practice. Frantically scanning the men to find Koen.
Her icy hair is braided into a crown, the velvet, scarlet flowers weaved throughout her hair as she wears a long, charcoal, strapless gown with flowers and vines wrapping around her arms as sleeves. Her intense glare following me as I try to avoid her threatens the nausea feeling that sits in my throat to release, but once I see Koen, I instantly calm down.
“She is watching me!” I say through clenched teeth, braiding my hair over my chest as my heart thumps wildly against it.
Koen’s dark brows narrow. “Who?”
I cast a sidelong glance upward toward the arena stands, and his gaze trails after mine. As he spots Skie, a sarcastic grin spreads across his face, and he raises his hand in a mocking wave.
I grab his arm, yanking it down with urgency. “What the hell do you think you are doing?”
A laugh escapes his lips, laced with a playful tone that makes my eyes roll. “This isn’t funny.” I breathe out a low growl, leaning towards him.
“You are right, this is hilarious.” He crosses his arms, a grin still tugging on his lips while he avoids my gaze. “Shit, you pissed off the Queenandthe future Queen of Azure.”
My chin lifts, letting myself breathe before I absolutely lose it.
“It’s all your brother's fault.”
“Ahhh—” He cocks his head to the side, pulling his lips between his teeth as he still softly laughs, enjoying every minute of me squirming in this situation. “My brother has always been a ladies’ man. It doesn’t surprise me that he has his eyes on you, I saw that back at the Ice Nation.”
“Can we just train?” I scuff, kicking a rock near us, doing anything to avoid Skie’s raging eyes.
“I have a better idea.”
My brows lift, glancing over my shoulder to meet his emerald eyes that glisten just right when the sun hits them.
His eyes are sometimes a dark forest green, reminding me of the towering branches of those in Seattle. I loved laying on the lush grass, a book in my hands as the light from the sun would flicker through the leaves up above. I can still smell the sea, feel the grass between my fingers, and hear the way the leaves brush against one another before floating off, never to be seen again. Sometimes, I wish I could soar away, to never have the eyes of another on me. Escape to a shore, to be free by the ocean with the birds that sing in the clouds.
But I will be trapped here forever, I fear.
I sigh, curious as to what Koen has up his sleeves.
“You have my attention.” My voice heightens.
“Don’t say a word, follow my lead.”
He takes a powerful step toward me, with a cocky grin spread along his lips that makes my brows narrow in.What the hell is he doing?He smoothly withdraws the silver dagger from its sheath and wraps his arms around me.
