Thystle scratched the back of his head. “Yeah, it’s probably not a good look that the last footage we got was... you know.”
Shame licked my insides. “Was anybody hurt during that?” I asked. “The contestants, or crew?”
“No, everyone is fine,” Cobalt said. “Gaius dealt with the aftermath. He lifted the mood, then sent everyone back to the hotel.”
“Thank Holy Drake,” I mumbled, feeling another stab of guilt that I’d nearly hurt Gaius in my feral state, too.
Alaric caught my eye. “Jade, if you want that footage removed from the final show, you have the means to do it.”
Cobalt nodded solemnly. “He’s right. We all understand if you want it wiped.”
I pinched the bridge of my nose. I wasn’t running from my actions or pretending they didn’t happen. But I’d hate if our audience thought poorly of dragons because of me and my one terrible breach of lucidity.
If this was the final season of the Games, I might’ve considered leaving it. But Saffron and Viol were still single. Mateless. I wouldn’t abandon them. The current system worked, and I hoped it would work for them, too.
“Yes,” I finally said. “I’d prefer that. Someone please ask Duke to destroy the footage.”
“I never saiddestroyit,” Alaric interrupted, looking offended. “I was going to keep it for myself...”
The twins cackled.
“Whoa, I didn’t know you were so freaky, Alaric!” Aurum said, elbowing him playfully. “You want a secret tape of Jade going feral, huh?”
“Do you think this isanotheruntapped market?” Saffron chimed in.
Alaric scowled and swatted them away like a pair of annoying, identical flies. “If you must know, then yes, in that moment I found your brother very sexy.”
Talk of me being sexy was enough to dissuade the twins from bothering him anymore. They promptly shut up.
“Can we get to the point?” Crimson said. He shot Thystle a pleading look. “You’re creative. Why don’t you think of something?”
“No fucking way,” Thystle said bluntly. “I’m not coming up with any more challenges.”
“Ugh, I’m just so tired of being in charge,” Crimson complained. “I want Jade to do it again.”
“Yeah, being responsible sucks,” Aurum grumbled.
“Dude, you’re literally a father,” Saffron pointed out.
“So? Being a dad is awesome. Dealing with staff and papers and organizing crap is not.”
“Okay, true.”
I was sympathetic to their plight, although I admit to feeling thoroughly sanctimonious that they all wanted my help. However, I didn’t want them to struggle, so help they would receive.
“I have an idea,” I announced. “And Thystle?”
He perked up. “Yeah?”
I smirked. “It’s not too far off from your original concept...”
“Are you sure about this?”Gaius asked under his breath. He glanced suspiciously at the silk ropes binding my ankles.
“I’m sure,” I said with a reassuring smile. “This won’t be like last time.”
“If you say so, master of bondage.”
I sighed. “Please don’t call me that. By the way, I should apologize for snapping at you.”
