Seeing as I do not want to offend, I accept the flower with a nervous smile.
“I confess I was observing you during dinner,” the god says, “though I do not believe you noticed me.”
I shake my head. “There w-w-were many people p-p-present.” The soft pink petals brush my cheek. It helps calm me. “Are you participating in th-the tournament, too?”
“That is the intention.” With a twirl of his staff, he bows gallantly. “My name is Arinogimus, but my friends call me Arin.”
I dip my chin in acknowledgment. “Nice to m-meet you, Arinogimus.”
“Arin, please.”
I glance around nervously, but we alone occupy the hall. “Arin, then.”
“Will you tell me your name, or am I to wait with bated breath?”
“Min,” I whisper, for I am used to giving what others ask of me.
“Well, Min, I imagine you are eager to return to your quarters, so I won’t keep you. If you ever need help, don’t hesitate to seek me out.” He winks at me. “Luck to you, Min.”
Though my legs itch to flee, I force them into an unhurried amble as I continue up the stairs and down the corridor. I do not want to act more like prey than I already am.
After nearly an hour searching the halls, I finally locate our suite, stumbling inside to find Eurus planted in the middle of the main chamber. He whirls to face me. “Where have you been?”
I close the door warily. My bedroom is located a handful of strides to my right, but to reach it, I must pass the East Wind. “I got l-l-lost.”
“Lost.” I hear the curl of his mouth, a borderline sneer. My muscles pull taut. “How difficult can it be to find the suite?”
“There are over three hundred r-rooms in the palace,” I say. “I’ve only w-walked the halls once. You can’t presume m-me to know my way so s-soon after arrival.”
“You expect me to believe that? Where were you really?”
“I just told y-y-you,” I growl between clenched teeth.
“Where did you get that flower?”
I glance down at the rose in surprise. I’d forgotten I was holding it.
Frowning, I toss it onto the dining table. “One of the competitors g-g-gave it to m-me.”
Time drips out, and still the East Wind stares. “Ask yourself, bird. Why would one of the divine gift you a flower?”
“I don’t kn-kn-know,” I choke out. “You ask me these questions as if I have the answers, but h-h-how am I to know anything when you tell me n-nothing?”
“Whoever gave it to you probably suspected you would bring it back to our suite. What if it has been tampered with?” he presses, taking a step forward. The shadow of his wings cloaks me, soles to scalp. “What if there is some toxic coating along the stem, which would weaken me if I touched it?”
The gift was odd, but I hadn’t considered the implication. My mind, grappling with the humiliation of that dinner, sought only the shelter of tranquility. My shields were lowered. I let someone in, perhaps to the East Wind’s detriment. And yet, I have done nothing wrong.
“Th-th-think what you w-will,” I say, “but he w-was only trying to c-c-comfort me after how you treated me at dinner.”
“HowItreated you?” Eurus thunders. “You ruined a perfectly good meal. I wasn’t even able to eat my dessert!”
“Did y-y-you even ask yourselfwhyI s-s-slapped the fork out of your hand?” I manage. “Do you think I like s-s-slapping utensils from people’s hands forfun?” I was only trying to help him, and he tossed me to those slavering wolves. I am silly enough to feel hurt over it. Perhaps Lady Clarisse is right. I am a brainless fool. “I apologize if I s-s-startled you, but s-s-someone laced the cake with a poison called Adder’s Bite,” I go on, fury churning with hot shame. “Clearly, someone wants y-y-you out of the way. Why are y-you punishing me for trying to h-h-h-help you?”
Those last words I spit vehemently, like small, sharp stones. My skin buzzes with a strange combination of apprehension and satisfaction. By the Mother, that felt good.
“I didn’t know,” he says. “I was trying to protect you—”
“No,” I growl back. “You h-h-humiliated me.”
