I learn how involved Brinn is with her family when she’s not concocting new recipes. She works hard but loves harder. I imagine a future where families exist for everyone—where life expectancy is a guarantee, not a gamble. Where laughter and happiness are common occurrences. I absorb life's possibilities as we talk late into the night.
“We won’t meet until after the next game,” I note, meeting her violet eyes.
She nods, a lilac curl falling out of her bun. “We will be there. You’ll see us. Know that you’re never alone, not in this.”
Pulling her into an appreciative hug, I marvel at the beautiful Celestial who stumbled into my life and quickly became a friend.
Orion keeps the remaining training time interesting by rotating physical and emotional strength into the mix. We sit meditating as I try to focus on my breathing. My legs bounce, and I keep opening my eyes. “I can feel your energy,” Orion murmurs, the picture of peace beside me.
“Oh? Do tell.”
“You’re anxious.”
“Is there anything you’renotgood at?” I sigh, giving up the pretense that I could excel at meditating tonight, and lie back in the grass.
“Of course not; it’s why you’re so fond of me.”
“Your humble nature is what drew me in.” Orion snorts and opens his eyes at my quip. “What was it like growing up here?”
He sighs, lying back beside me. “It has been both a blessing and a curse, woven by the stars. I’ve had friendships. I’ve been fortunate to have a place to live, food to eat, and a job I’ve enjoyed. But the city lost its shine as I grew older.”
“Will you tell me about her—your sister?”
He plays with a blade of grass, twisting it between his fingers. “When this is all over, I will.”
I sigh in disapproval but don’t push further. “And your parents?”
“They passed when I was younger—rare in Astralis. I focused all my energy on work after that. I’ve worked hard to get to where I am now, to make a difference, but something has always been missing.”
My heart hurts for Orion. He’s lost so much yet remains so compassionate. “What has?”
He laces his fingers with mine. “You. You feel like a thousand suns.” He turns his gaze away to face the sky. “Through all of this, your soul has remained soft. It’s beautiful. Don’t let them harden you.”
When he talks to me this way, so openly, I could not feel more torn between him and Leo. It’s easy to ignore and avoid most of the time. But when he reveals his heart, it’s so blatantly obvious.I love him—even if a platonic love is all we have, I’m better because of it. This man worships me as if I’m something special, as if I’mworthy.I don’t think he realizes how worthy he is himself.
I swallow my turmoil, continuing our conversation. “Will you help me if that happens?”
“Unfailingly. No matter what happens, I’ll always be here.”
I examine his side profile, his face all strong, smooth lines. He really is beautiful. “Why did you pick me?”
“The sponsor positions are offered to all Cosmic Hall employees. Most avoid it, to be honest. It’s a lot of responsibility and added stress on top of our expected duties—no offense. But as soon as I saw that posting, I knew it was my chance. I already had this agenda, so I applied. I knew I had to find someone like-minded. We could review footage of all the contestants and read information that would make each person a good challenger. I saw your compassion. I saw your fire. I saw you, and I knew.”
My heart expands at his explanation. “All that faith in someone you never met?”
“I only needed to see who you were. You’ve shown me a thousand times over.”
Tears well up in my eyes. I sniff, looking to lighten the mood. “It’s unfair that you got to know me before I had the opportunity.”
“Please, we all know there isn’t a better sponsor out there.”
Hand in hand, we watch the sky turn. There’s comfort in our silence; a calm peace. “The Kosmos has tested your brain and your body, but I have a feeling this challenge will test what is inside your heart. I need you to be ready for it. I don’t want them to break you.”
My time in Astralis has taught me a great deal about myself, the most important being that I do not break; I only ascend.
Fifty-five
Hair is braided, and the bandana is secured. I meet my reflection and exhale. I’ve got this. Leaving the bathroom, I crawl back into Leo’s bed, straddling his waist.
