“Correct.” Short and sweet, I like your style, Leo.
Portia pointedly looks to Pluto, the man in charge in this scenario. “Let us get one thing straight.” He adjusts the cuffs of his cloak.“ This little tantrum of yours is now over. Must we remind you what is at stake in these Games? You would risk the lives of every human living on the surrounding worlds? On Lunara? Noctor? Because let me be clear, since you two do not seem to understand,that is what’s at stake. You have the distinct honor of being selected, of becoming ahero, of restoring a constellation that powers your worlds. Yet you would willingly put that at risk for what?” He pauses; neither Leo nor I risk interrupting. “Toselfishlygallivant around our glorious city, one we have been so kind to share with you? You have been chosen. You have a duty. It’s time to submit.”
He belittles us so poetically that I feel myself agreeing with his points. Am I willing to continue my refusal and risk the livelihood of my friends back home or my new family here? How could I do that? I have no choice but to go through with this, to restore the constellation and ensure the survival of lives across galaxies.
“Have I made myself clear? Should I repeat this visit an additional time, it will not be as pleasant.” A veiled threat, but still a threat.
Leo all but growls, “Our participation should not be mandato—”
I place my hand on Leo’s thigh, cutting him off. “We understand.” His head snaps quickly in my direction, and I ignore his gaze, feeling a combination of shame, fear, and duty.
“I will allow yourvacationto extend through the end of this cycle. Your sponsors will report to me on day one of the next cycle regarding your attendance at training.”
He nods to Portia, and the two star-shoot out of the apartment, leaving Leo and me to sit in a tense silence.
He doesn’t say a word as he pulls out vegetables and starts chopping. Or when he sautes them in a pan. Or when he prepares rice in a separate pot. Frustration builds within me. I understand our responses were not in sync, but what does he expect? “Leo, talk to me.”
He silently stirs the rice, ignoring me.
“Leo!”I hiss.
“What do you want me to say, Zellie? What the fuck was that?” He slams his wooden spoon down onto the counter. “I thought we were a team.”
“Wearea team! We have no choice in this.”
“There isalwaysa choice!” Leo yells. “There’s always a choice, Zellie.”
My mind flashes back to a very similar conversation that Orion and I had. Everyone keeps telling me I have a choice, yet the second the situation becomes complex or scary, I back down. What the fuck is wrong with me? That’s not bravery; that’s not fixing the system. It’s cowardice.
“I don’t know what I’m doing, Leo—I’m sorry. I’m trying my best.” My voice is small, doubt filling me with sadness.
Leo runs his hands through his hair before beckoning me to him. “I know you are, Zell. Come here.” He wraps his arms around me, exhaling into my hair. “We’ll find a different way.”
I nestle into his chest, wondering what other way there could be. What are you supposed to do when the path you face is impossible?
Thirty-three
Back at training, I’m full of more self-loathing than I ever thought was possible. Orion is barely speaking to me. Leo swears he’s not mad anymore, but I know he is, and now I’m stuck learning to handle weapons I have no interest in using.
“Whenever you’re done pouting, pick something sharp that you’re comfortable with so we can get started.” Orion flips a dagger casually in his hand. I scowl, resting my hands on my knees as I watch the progress unfold across the training grounds. Solene is terrifyingly talented with any weapon, it seems. Celeste and Aria are teamed up, testing out short swords. Lenny and Atlas are trying to master the spear but are struggling. Leo is shooting arrows at a dummy, barely paying attention, as he takes glances back at me across the way every five seconds. It would be amusing if I weren’t so pissed off about being here.
But lives are at stake. I won’t put others at risk. Focus, win, change the bullshit system. Not the prettiest-sounding affirmation, but one I’ve been replaying in my head all the same. I sigh, grabbing two small daggers that fit perfectly in my hands.
“Ready to join the class, Princess?”
“Fuck off,” I mumble, joining Orion in the training circle.
“There she is. Pointy end towards me.”
“Careful, or the pointy end will find your eyeball.”
“Please do try, Zizi. My days have been rather dull. Show me what you’ve got.”
I awkwardly swipe at him, making very little progress. “It's not the same as punching.” I blow a loose hair out of my eyes.
“Obviously not; that’s the point.”
“Are you going to tell me anything helpful today, or are you just wasting my time?”
