“I’ll be fine,” I say, but looking at the Giant, I’m not so sure. “Is this even legal?”
“No,” Elodie says. Her face is bloodless, which makes her freckles stand out even more. “But no one cares what happens down here.”
I remember the fight videos Kaiser and Jaeger were reviewing. “You’re like gladiators.”
Jaeger doesn’t confirm or deny it. He looks grim and hasn’t smiled since he told me Kaiser was going to fight. I used to think he smiled too much, but now I miss it.
He leads me to Kaiser’s side. I stare at him like he’s a stranger. He’s shirtless, with a satin robe draped over his shoulders. The picture on the back is a roaring lion.
Then he looks at me, and I feel everything. I can’t stop my feet from hurrying to him. I stop in front of him, not touching him. I missed him so much. The big, beautiful idiot. I want to slap his perfect face, then cry and make him hold me.
“Bella.”
I have one more chance to stop this, change his mind. My guts are twisting like I’m gonna puke. “You don’t have to do this.” If he’s willing to listen to reason now, I won’t have to go through with my plan. “You can throw the fight.”
“No. The Vesuvios don’t understand anything but brute force. I have to fight.”
“You don’t have to be willing to die for me just so I’ll be happy.”
“This will fix everything.”
“Kaiser, please. Don’t make me beg.” I bite my lip. I’m not going to cry. Not here. “Please, you don’t have to protect me.”
“But I do. That’s what a good husband does.” He cups my face in his large, calloused hands. I rise to tiptoe, but he only kisses my forehead. For a long moment, he breaths in my scent.
Then he steps back. “Goodbye, little bride.”
“Kaiser, no.” I swallow my desperate plea. I have to be strong. I’m wearing a long coat and clutch it around me for a second, getting myself together. “I need you to kiss me.”
He freezes in the act of turning away.
“Do this one thing for me.” I wet my lips, tasting the bitter lip gloss I’ve coated them with. “Kiss me, Kaiser. Please.”
He hesitates, a tremor running through him. He knows I’m up to something, but he can’t resist me.
He comes closer, and the noise and the crowd fade away. “Belladonna.”
I reach up and stroke his lips. I can’t stop myself.
He seizes me, pulling me close. I can feel him fighting himself, but he can’t fight me.
I’m the one who’s beaten him. The only one. And he knows it.
He lowers his head to mine. It feels inevitable.
Our lips brush, and he sighs, a shocked gust of air against my lips.
“Please,” I barely whisper.
With his fingers tight in my hair, he kisses me.
My whole body thrills at the sensation. I feel alive.
And then it’s over. He draws my head back slowly, tugging my hair hard enough to make my eyes water. Fresh pain washes through me, and I embrace it.
I take a step back, letting him put distance between us. He needs it. He’s bracing himself, getting ready to leave me. “It’s okay. You’re only doing what you think you have to do.”
“I have to…” He shakes his head. “You will be safe.”
