“Look at how her flesh discolors from so little. Soft humans.” Tentur snorted as the attendant was still pushing him away. “We’ll see how you fare in the next competition if a little scuffle has you so bothered.”
Eira scowled as they left. One of the attendants asked Noelle if she wanted to see a cleric. Noelle had the good sense to say no. Alyss had already tended to the worst of the bruising.
“I wonder if it’s a draconi thing, but I can’t tell their ass from their face,” Noelle muttered under her breath. Alyss snickered and even Eira couldn’t help but smile.
“Are you sure you’re all right?” Eira took Noelle’s hand opposite of Alyss and helped her to her feet.
“It’ll take more than that to really rattle me,” she said, determined. “Look, they’re giving Cullen the reward.”
All their attention was back on the arena.
Cullen, still dirty and a bit bloody, stood in the center of the dusty grounds. The attendants carried the litter out, presenting it to him. The small envelope from a few days ago was at its center.
“As promised, your reward for winning this individual game is an advantage in the next team competition in the form of information. You may open this letter at your leisure and who you choose to share the information with is up to you. Share it with your team, with the other nations, or keep it to yourself.” Vi laughed lightly. “I apologize that the rest of us will be kept in suspense as much as the other competitors.”
There were laughs and groans from the spectators.
“The next game will be held in two days. The full details and rules of the team competition will be unveiled the morning of,” Vi finished.
“Princess Vi, if you will offer me a moment before we officially bring an end to today’s spectacle?” A woman stood at Vi’s left. She wore a floppy green hat, tipped to the right side, that had a white band at the bottom and a blue plume sticking from it. She was seated in the box that had been previously occupied by the elderly man Vi had assumed was the leader of the Republic of Qwint. Where had he gone? And why was this woman in his place? Had they already changed their leadership with the elections she’d heard of?
“Go ahead, Minister Fawn.”
“The true measure of a champion in Qwint is service to others. We live not for ourselves, but for the benefit of our communities—of those who put their trust and faith in us to do right by them. For that reason, I would like to bestow an individual award from the Republic of Qwint onto Cullen for his sacrifice and selflessness by stepping in to protect Lavette from attack. While this was not his duty, it shows his true measure and for that Qwint wishes to honor him.” Fawn took a moment before continuing as the crowd cheered.
“Favoritism,” Kotol growled, glancing back their way. Tentur was staring daggers as well. Eira frowned in reply. Luckily,neither of them crossed the gap and simply continued to sulk in the corner with the remaining draconi.
“This merit,” Fawn continued, “comes with its own benefit—as you were competing and defending our Lavette, I saw that a grand feast was prepared. I had intended for it to refill you after this game, but now it can also be to celebrate your victory. This feast will be waiting back at the village for Solaris to sit and enjoy. The meal will contain all manner of rich fare from the fertile lands of Qwint, highlighting our spices and cooking techniques.”
“A feast.” Noelle grabbed her midsection. “Thank the Mother. I am starving.”
“But a feast is best shared with friends. So you may pickoneother team to join Solaris at your table,” Fawn finished.
Another team to join them… Eira knew it wouldn’t be the draconi; they had no relationship with them and especially not after Harkor’s attacks. She had personal ties with Meru, but she was the only one. Cullen wouldn’t pick them. The Twilight Kingdom was an option. But Eira was afraid she knew who Cullen was going to pick before he even opened his mouth.
The award was given from a noble of Qwint for saving one of their own. Moreover, Cullen wasengagedto the daughter of one said noble. The same daughter he had just helped to earn the award. There were unspoken expectations and she could almost hear Yemir telling Cullen what must be done.
Still, he could surprise her. He might surprise them all…
Cullen turned slightly, looking over his shoulder. He was making the same calculations she was, no doubt. His eyes met Lavette’s, standing off to the side of the arena floor. There was a flash of pain. Even Eira could see it from where she stood. But it was brief, perhaps only noticeable to someone like her…someone who had studied his every movement and expression like doing so would save her life.
She knew he would give in before he did. It made sense on every level. And yet…as his eyes drifted up to the balcony and met hers, she hoped against hope that this would be the moment he’d do something purely for himself. Eira wished for all the things she knew she should not. She wanted him to say no one—or Twilight—for her. To cast aside appearances. To turn his nose up at the people who would control them.
But he couldn’t. She knew it. Just as he did. And as Cullen dipped his head, stealing a moment for himself before he did what must be done, her hope for him ever to live a life on his own terms died another little death.
He plastered on a smile that stretched from ear to ear and said as loud as he could muster, “I choose the Republic of Qwint to join us!”
Cullen held out his hand to Lavette. Eira didn’t miss her brief hesitation, her surprise. But Lavette fell into line as well, a smile crossed her lips. As she crossed to him, the cheers only grew louder. Her fingers closed around his and they lifted their joined hands into the air.
“Everyone loves a love story,” Alyss said softly.
That’s what it was to the spectators. Cullen and Lavette, champions on opposing sides. Finding love despite the odds.
Eira couldn’t stop a heavy sigh.
“Dinner isn’t going to taste as good having to share it with them.” Noelle luckily had the sense to keep the remark under her breath.
“Favoritism on favoritism,” Tentur grumbled, turning his back to the arena and starting toward the entrance of the balcony. He paused, looking to the morphi. “You’d better watch out. This treaty will only see us on the bottom yet again. But now instead of being under Meru’s boot, we’ll be under Meru, and Solaris,andQwint. Or, perhaps once the Voice is married off to their princess, we’ll all be Solaris before we know it. Ihear the Emperor Solaris’s father was a bloodthirsty tyrant who conquered the kingdoms of his own island. No doubt the son is the same.”
