Soon, waves of tawny light paint the bedroom walls. Forcing myself from bed, I shuffle into the main chamber to find Demi seated at her breakfast table, an impressive spread laid before her. Today, she is dressed in velvet, gold trimming the sleeves and neckline. “Good morning.” She gestures to the empty chair across from her. “Care to join me?”
I sit. The windows lie open. The curtains stir and birdsong twitters in the distance, the city sparkling like a jewel as the world wakens.
“How did you sleep?” she asks while slathering jam onto her bread.
“Well, actually.” The bed was both soft and spacious, a cloud to lay my head upon. “Thank you again for letting me stay here.” I pourmilk into my tea and stir it with a small metal spoon. It clinks gently, a fragile chime.
“You’re welcome, but please don’t think it was only a one-time offer. You may stay here for as long as you need.”
My throat tightens. “Thank you, Demi. But I don’t want to intrude—”
“Min. Look at me.” I dutifully lift my eyes. Hers glitter like cut citrine. “I mean it. Stay here for as long as you need. I enjoy the company. How many can say they’ve shared both breakfastandlunch with a mortal?” She grins.
“If you’re sure…”
“I’m a goddess, am I not?” She gives a haughty sniff. “I’m always sure.”
My mouth quirks. I’m coming to learn Demi. For whatever reason, she is curious of mortals.
“How are you feeling about yesterday?” she asks.
I shrug, take a bite of the creamy eggs I’ve spooned onto my plate. “I know what I must do.” Once the East Wind claims victory, I’ll be free. The more I think about it, maybe hedoesdeserve having his heart cut out by her ladyship for what he has put me through. Except, the thought squeezes my lungs to the point of pain. Which doesn’t make any sense.
What is worse? My image of home has grown clouded. Even if I am able to purchase the estate from her ladyship, would I have the means to build my own business, or would she run me into the ground before it had the chance to blossom? Distance from Lady Clarisse has made me realize I am more relaxed than I was. I do not flinch at every passing sound. But I have nowhere to go, no one else to lean on.
“These eggs are very good,” I tell Demi, smiling. Though I would expect nothing less from a goddess who knows her way around a kitchen. “What’s that spice I’m tasting?”
“Nutmeg,” she says, rather pleased. “It’s my secret ingredient. Things taste better with a little sweetness, don’t you think?”
For whatever reason, my thoughts wander briefly to Eurus. I immediately stamp them out.
Following breakfast, Demi and I head across the city toward the arena. We merge with the outpouring of deities, spirits high and a hunger for blood sweeping like brushfire through the throng. More than one god or goddess reaches out to pet my hair. Demi slaps their hands aside with a growled, “Mind yourselves!”
By the time we reach the entrance, the announcements are already well under way. I struggle to hear over the jostling.
“… fifty are still in the running, but only twelve will face the third and final trial.”
The lightning god’s voice booms and crackles, erupting across the expanse. I strain my ears to catch the rest, only half aware of Demi elbowing people aside, one of her hands gripping my arm to prevent me from getting trampled by those in the corridor leading to the stands beyond.
“In this trial, your powers will be nullified. That includes your godly strength and speed, your protective scales and feathered wings, your special talents, any and all enchantments. This is to even the playing field. Your determination alone will decide who is strong enough to push through the pain and fatigue.
“In addition, the protections offered to you through your divine blood will be masked. By which I mean, death may find you at any point, and through various means, as it does for mortals. For many, it will not take long before your will crumbles. The question is, are you tenacious enough to reach the exit before it does?”
A roar quakes the bones of the arena. The ground trembles underfoot.
“In order to move on to the final round,bothyou and your teammate must pass through the door—”
“Min.”
I whirl, a hand pressed to my heart. The East Wind is a boulder amidst the current, braced and unwilling to yield. His newly patchedcloak is borderline ragged in the harsh noon glare. “You st-startled me.”
When he doesn’t respond, I drop my hand. No matter the guilt that nags, I’ve nothing to apologize for. I did nothing wrong.Heshould be apologizing for treating me so disrespectfully.
But Eurus clears his throat and glances elsewhere. The crowd gives him a wide berth. “Nice weather,” he mutters.
My expression twists. “Absolutely,” I say. “A great day to die.”
Eurus snorts. My mouth twitches, but the smile falters. Why am I surprised by his unwillingness to discuss last night’s spat? I should not be so eager to expect change.
