After inspecting his blade in it and having the conversation of his inappropriateness with Reverie and Corbin, he curled back under the canopy to see whatever Corbin had for him to prep with. But the sight of Reverie in her leathers and corset against the sun made him pause. She'd braided her hair up into a high ponytail. The wisps of her bangs curled at her long eyelashes. Dorian ignored whatever Corbin was about to say and instead stepped up to her.
"You know, I might die," he said as he leaned against the stockade. "I believe a kiss for good luck would save me from such a fate."
Reverie glanced to Corbin, and then she smiled at the ground for a split. Dorian tensed as she came to rest flush against him.
"Come out with your life, and perhaps you'll get more than this kiss you're so desperate for."
He recognized the mockery in her lavender orbs. "You're fucking with me, aren't you?"
"Yes," she affirmed with a roll of her eyes. "Although I do, unfortunately, have money on you, so try to win."
"You made a bet on me?"Dorian asked as he straightened off the stockade.
"I did."
"Were you planning on splitting it with us?" Dorian asked. "I believe it's my head on the line. I should get a portion."
She crossed her arms over her chest, gaze moving to Corbin who had rejoined them. "I suppose you think you deserve a portion as well?" she asked Corbin.
"You can't be our friend if you don't know how to share,” Corbin said.
Dorian grinned at his Second. "We're friends?" he asked delightedly.
Corbin gave him a poor sideways glare, and Dorian felt a swell of something unfamiliar in his chest. Corbin's attention turned back to Reverie. "How much?" he asked with an upwards nod.
Reverie was silent a moment, swaying with the hug of her arms around her chest. "Hundgld," she muttered.
"What?" Dorian asked.
"I think she said a hundred golds," Corbin said.
Brows raised. "Did you—“ Dorian balked at the number. "You get a hundred golds if I win?"
"Depends on how you win, really," Reverie replied. "If you lose a limb, I don't get as much."
"Why? What did you bet?"
"I bet you would walk out of here with only scratches and bruises," she admitted.
This widened Dorian's eyes and made him shift, pride rising from his stomach. "Sounds like you're wearing down, Rev," he said, winking. "You sure about that kiss?"
"The odds against you are ridiculous,” she said instead of giving his charms a comment. “I’d be an idiot not to take such a bet when you're...you. I'm sure you could easily flame yourself and have this whole thing over within a matter of minutes."
"I don't need my fire to win," Dorian countered. "Just makes things easier."
"So I've noticed," she said.
And Dorian knew she'd been watching him train. The knowledge of it made his smirk widen.
He leaned to Corbin. "I'm taking that as a compliment."
"I think you're right to," Corbin agreed.
Dorian clapped Corbin on his shoulder. "Bin, we're going to be rich. You should tail it to the Temple while we have a minute and grab my gold."
"You're already rich, and you're on soon," Corbin said. "I don't have time."
"I don't think the Prince betting on himself is part of the rules," Reverie said.
