The blueprints. The plans to the Emperor’s Palace. The only way I could rescue Jules.
I wanted to punch him, to break another bone. But even without a direct order, I knew I had to do as he asked. Because every rebellious thought made me sick. He hadn’t said where to kiss him though.
I stood up on my tiptoes, suddenly dizzy, and brushed my lips against his cheek, barely allowing for contact. But it seemed to satisfy the command my blood was forced to obey.
He laughed. “That’s how you kiss? You can do better.”
Tears were in my eyes—he was pressing so hard on me, bruising my shoulder.
“Arkturion,” Rhyan yelled. “Lovely morning to be back, isn’t it? I’m ready to run!”
Kane grunted, his hold on me tightening as he looked up in fury at Rhyan. He pulled me even closer then, his eyes holding a challenge for Rhyan who was walking swiftly to us.
Rhyan’s eyes sparked, the green blazing so brightly, they almost looked gold in the morning sun.
Kane huffed, his hold on me growing more painful by the second. But he pushed me away. And I stumbled toward Rhyan as Kane headed for the center of the field.
I tried to keep my breakfast down, while I fought the urge to wipe my mouth on my cloak.
Suddenly, there was a cool cloth against my neck. Rhyan was by my side.
“Partner.” He shook his head, his aura pulsing.
I blinked back my traitorous tears, swallowing the bile in my throat.
His eyes were roving across my shoulder and collarbone, assessing. He knew. He knew the damage Kane could inflict with a simple touch.
“When it’s time for him to die,” Rhyan said, his eyes still on my shoulder, “It will happen slowly. Over days.” He slid his hand from the towel up the nape of my neck, his fingers pressing against my head beneath my braid. I leaned back, arching into his touch.
“Rhyan,” I gasped. “Don’t. It’s too risky.” But still, I pressed against his hand, desperate for any form of contact. For touch that was gentle and welcome, and not Kane’s. Not Shiviel’s. Not one commanded by Imperator Hart.
“You say the word,” Rhyan said. “You say it, and we’re gone.”
I closed my eyes, biting my tongue before I said yes, before I threw myself into his arms and let him take me away. Because I knew if I did, I wouldn’t just let him, I’d beg him.
Shifting my neck, I could feel his own engagement ring, cool and hard against my skin. At last, I pulled away, far too aware of the soturi who watched the exchange.
Dario moved beside us, making a small attempt to block Rhyan’s touch from public view.
He glared, “Are you two actually that stupid, or just farther than fucking Lethea? You’re supposed to dispel the rumors, not make new ones!” He stomped back to his dagger.
Rhyan’s eyes slid up and down my body, stopping where Kane had touched me. “Can you run?” he asked, voice low.
“Just a sore shoulder. I’m fine.”
His eyes narrowed, blazing with anger. “Just remember,” he said quietly. “You have to be the worst one out there.”
I smiled sadly, remembering our first ever run together. He’d said something similar then, trying to get me to focus.
“At least, this time I’m trying to be the worst, and not actually.”
He took a step back, his eyes shining. “You’d be the best, if you were allowed to be. The strongest soturion in the Godsdamned Empire. That day will come. But for now, remember, no winners. It’s not a race. Don’t let them get to you. Don’t let them trick you into running faster, or giving up the game. No one out there, not a single one of them is worth it.”
Kane called everyone’s attention to him, while more soturi watched me from the corner of their eyes.
Dario was suddenly alert, shooting death glares at everyone in our vicinity. His eyes caught Rhyan’s, and something passed between them. A second later, Dario moved so I was sandwiched between him and Rhyan.
He was an ass. But at least he took his job as my bodyguard seriously.
