“Well, Sunshine, take your shoes off for starters. Then you’re going to run really fucking fast for a lap and launch yourself up onto those dangling rings. Then you’re going to pull yourself up, pick a weapon of your choice, and dismantle the target. Simple.”
Yes, so simple. Couldn’t we do a puzzle instead? I remove my shoes and hair clip before wiping my palms on my thighs. “I’m not sure I can do this.” Best-case scenario? Orion will be entertained.
Hands on my shoulders pull me back to the present. His hazel eyes bore into mine. Linen and lotus wash over me, and I breathe it in deeply, unashamed. With such assurance, he says, “Today, you will.”
My heart squeezes with his confidence in me. I give a slight nod in return. “Today, I will.”
“Swift and strong, Zellie.” He pulls a timer out of his pocket. “Whenever you’re ready.”
I exhale loudly, steadying my mind. Three, two, one… Go!
My feet slap against the synthetic rubber as I attempt to control my pacing. I don’t want to burn out too quickly, but I’m also not a runner. I will do this. My hair whips wildly in front of my line of vision. Three-quarters of the way through the lap, an ache develops in my side. I need to push only a bit more; I can see the ramp leading up to the rings. They sway in the air, teasing their ease.Come on, Zellie.
Pumping my arms, I increase my speed and run up the ramp. I jump just before the ending, my body propelling upwards and forwards with my arms outstretched. Got them! I close my fingers around the rings and swing back and forth from the momentum. I attempt to pull myself up, but I’m lacking in upper-body strength. My palms are slick with sweat, and I adjust my grip, trying once more to no avail. The ground below threatens to swallow me whole.
“Damn it!” I cry, my frustration apparent. This will not work. Hanging from the rings, I eye the platform I need to reach and blow a loose strand from my face. Maybe if I swing my body, I can jump and haul myself up. Fuck it, it’s worth a try. Kicking my legs in front of me, shoulders screaming, I pump my lower body back and forth. As my body carries me forward, I jump and latch onto the side of the platform with my hands. In what I’m sure is the most graceful way possible, I gain purchase. First with my elbows, then up to my stomach, until I’ve rolled my entire body over and I’m staring at the galaxy orbiting above. My body heaves with the effort and pain that experience entailed.
“Not done yet, Princess!” Fuck off, Riri.
I slowly get up and examine the rack of weapons available. This is a joke, right? I’ve never held more than a butcher’s knife. An unmoving mannequin top taunts me about fifty yards away. A bow and arrow can’t be too hard. Wrong. I can’t get the arrow to sit; instead, I watch it fall to the ground every time I try to get the bow situated. Deciding to give the spear a go, I underestimate how heavy the weapon is and the aerodynamics at play. While I manage to toss it, the spear wobbles and falls almost instantly.
My frustration is bubbling to the surface, threatening to spill. Wanting to get this stupid assessment over with, I snatch a dagger up, surprised at how light the weapon is in my grip. I wind my hand and flick my wrist forward, propelling the dagger towards the mannequin. Lo and behold, the target is struck—and not too far from the center of the target—much to my surprise. I laugh in bewilderment, peering down at Orion. “Did you see that?”
“Sure did, Sunshine! You’re a natural!” I climb down the set of stairs on the opposite side of the platform and meet Orion below. “You did great, Zellie. This is an excellent starting point for us.”
Not good enough. “I need to work on my physical strength.”
“We will, but you have a solid base. Your quick thinking with the rings and that platform? Genius. I can’tbelievehow well you did with the daggers! We’re going to practice more with those, too.” He’s giddy, and the excitement is contagious. He pulls me in for a side hug. “I’m proud of you.” I’m proud of myself, too.
Fourteen
If only the confidence I felt this afternoon could carry over into dinner with the other challengers. I almost wish I had to run that assessment again… almost. After conceding to wearing a dress, I negotiated with Orion for slippers instead of heels. He sent in two Celestials to assist me in preparing for the evening. One is turning my face into a work of art, while the other tries to accomplish something with my short bob. I insisted on doing this myself, but Orion wouldn’t yield. This is the kickoff event for the Games, and I have to play my part in the spectacle.
I nibble mindlessly on my lip as the stylists finish their work. The two move around me in a flurry, making hums of approval and touching up last-minute spots before jointly deciding I was finished. My dress hangs on the door of the wardrobe, intimidating me with each layer of fabric. Now or never, I suppose.
The fabric slips softly over my body and cascades down. I contort myself, attempting to secure the buttons in the back, but find that they’re just out of reach. Maybe the stylists are still in the apartment and can assist me. I walk to the bedroom door and open it, only to find Orion poised to knock.
“Oh, hi!” I let my hand fall from the doorframe and take a step back.
Orion stands speechless, eyes roaming over the dress. He clears his throat and runs his hand over his mouth. “Wow, hi.”
He looks handsome in a tailored jacket in the deepest shade of blue, paired with slim, tailored trousers. His white shirt remains unbuttoned at the top, displaying his muscular chest. “Wow, you!” I reply, and I swear his cheeks redden. “Would you be able to help me? I can’t reach the buttons.”
“Yeah.” Orion’s eyes end their perusal and meet mine with a tight grin. “Yes, of course.”
I step back into the bedroom and give him my back. His fingers are feather-light as they graze against my skin, causing goosebumps to travel up my arms. “Have you seen yourself?” Orion’s breath is on the back of my neck, and I can’t bring myself to move as my skin heats beneath his touch.
“Not yet,” I whisper.
“Please do yourself a favor and look.”
I slowly approach the golden-arched mirror standing in the bedroom corner. The woman who stares back at me cannot possibly be the same one who would emerge from the Gardens covered in soil, slick with sweat, and beat down from a day’s work. I look… soft. Soft and mysterious and beautiful. My eyes are highlighted with violet eyeshadow and liner, making the green ovals pop vibrantly. My hair is pulled back in a wavy updo, with my yellow strands loosely curled and hanging, framing one side of my face.
The dress takes my breath away. A cornflower blue gown, bordering a shade of purple, stitched of delicate gossamer, shimmered on me with every movement, as though someone crafted the galaxies within the threads. The bodice is fitted—embroidered with silver threads and sequins that glisten like stars. The sleeves are sheer, capped at the shoulders in a way that screams femininity. A satin belt cinches at my waist with a crescent moon and two stars at the center. Below the belt, a full skirt expands and flows out beneath me. Layers of lilac and gold rest beneath the blue tulle strategically placed on top. A light laugh escapes me as I spin, examining the dainty buttons lining my spine. The gown swishes around me as I turn. “I feel like a princess.”
Orion remains stationed at the door, one shoulder leaning against the frame. “You are exquisite.” I blush at the compliment. “Are you ready? I have a hovercraft waiting for us. Dinner will be held at the Cosmic Hall, the Kosmos’ residence.”
“Do we have a game plan?”
