I bristled. How did he know that?
Before I could ask, Talon grinned proudly. “I dug around before the Games began. A pair of guys I met knew a surprising amount about Thystle.”
A pair of guys with a lot of info? Did he mean the twins?
“What did they say?” I asked.
Talon smirked. “I don’t know if I should share. Youarecompetition, after all.”
I stifled the urge to scoff. There was no competition anymore—but I was the only omega who knew that. I kept my relationship with Thystle to myself. For Talon, ignorance was bliss.
“Fair enough,” I said.
The fact that I was unbothered bothered Talon. A tick appeared in his previously brilliant smile.
“Well, since you played along with me earlier, I guess I can spill a bit of info,” Talon conceded. He lowered his voice. “Rumor has it Thystle is hot for a certain music celebrity.” His mouth split in a scheming grin. “And he’s here among us.”
I blinked, taken aback, but kept my expression neutral. Talon spoke as if he knew a lot... but how much did he actually know? He couldn’t suspect me of being that particular celebrity—he had no proof. Besides, if hedidsuspect me, he wouldn’t declare it to my face.
Then who the hell was he talking about?
“Hello, contestants!” Gaius greeted over the noisy lobby.
“Time’s up. Good luck on the next challenge,” Talon murmured before melting into the crowd.
Somehow, I doubted he meant that.
“It’s a new day, and that means a new challenge!” Gaius announced. “Follow me outside.”
As everyone left the lobby, we saw a new development on the beachfront. A flashy stage was set up with a podium and a throne-like chair. Before the stage were rows of chairs. It looked like a game show set. It never failed to surprise me how quickly the staff set up challenges.
“Omega contestants, please take your seats,” Gaius said, gesturing to the chairs.
I sat near the front next to Muzo, Poppy and Alaric. For whatever reason, Talon took the seat next to me. I was grateful that Gaius hopped on stage to begin his host spiel so I didn’t have to talk awkwardly with anybody.
“Today’s challenge is a very exciting one,” Gaius assured as he strode across the stage. “For the first time ever on the Dragonfate Games, we’re hosting a quiz show! What’s the topic, you might ask? Why, it’s our one and only smoldering alpha dragon bachelor—it’s Thystle!”
My heart soared as Thystle appeared from behind the back curtain and joined Gaius on stage. I couldn’t stop myself from sitting up sharply and leaning forward in my seat. Thankfully, everybody else seemed too enthralled with Thystle’s first challenge appearance to notice. A few people cheered and whooped, but Thystle paid them no mind.
He was staring right into my eyes.
Everyone beside me turned to look. Heat bloomed in my cheeks—and to my embarrassment, between my thighs as well.
So much for my cover.
Thystle blinked hard, then wrenched his gaze away from me. I let out a silent breath of relief. With Thystle’s attention on Gaius, nobody commented on the random staring contest between us.
Gaius patted Thystle’s back like he was tapping the hood of a prized car. “That’s right! Today’s challenge is all about Thystle. What do you know? Whatdon’tyou know? And will it be enough to win the dragon’s heart today?”
I tamped down a flicker of irritation at that comment. I knew Gaius played up the drama for the cameras, and hell, he didn’t evenknowabout my relationship with Thystle.
How would I describe our relationship, anyway? I didn’t have the words for it. Calling it a crush felt pale and weak, and calling it a one-night stand was too cheap. Whatever I felt for Thystle was beyond comparison.
My heart clenched. Had I fallen in love with Thystle?
Gaius summoned everyone’s attention. “One at a time, our omega contestants will take the stand. I’ll ask questions about our bachelor. Each correct answer yields a point, and gets you closer to the winner’s circle!”
Alaric thrust his hand up.
