He did the same with the food. “Safe.”
“Thank you.”
“I should thank you,” he said quietly. “For today. I don’t know if I would have pulled myself out of that illusion without you.”
She stared into the fire. “Me too. I was stuck reliving the worst moment of my life.”
“I assume the audience enjoyed it.”
She snorted softly. “I don’t think they saw what we did. Probably just us acting… off.”
He frowned. “I didn’t see anyone else’s illusions.”
“Exactly. I think it only affected our minds.”
“It was effective.”
“Yeah. Makes me dread what’s next.” She shivered.
“Are you cold?”
“I’m okay. I’ll adjust my suit later.”
They ate in silence. One by one, the other players retreated to their tents. Mara’s movements slowed, exhaustion claiming her. She climbed into her bedding and turned onto her side, facing him.
Vaelor kept watch, eyes scanning the dark. But they kept returning to her.
Her face softened in sleep. Her hair, usually tied tight, spilled loose around her shoulders, glowing silver in the firelight. His fingers ached to touch it.
He had crossed galaxies, fought wars, survived horrors—and somehow found her.
Mara Sinclair was a contradiction. Small and delicate in appearance, unyielding beneath it. Clever. Curious. Kind. Fierce.
He didn’t know why she was here. But he would find out.
And when he won—
He would make sure she survived to go home.
Chapter 13
Mara
Mara had buried her head underneath the blanket. Thankfully the fire stayed lit all night or it would have become unbearable. But she knew she couldn’t hide there all day. They had to get moving. Finally, she threw the blanket off.
Sitting up, she glanced around the campsite. All the tents were gone and there was no one there.
“Vaelor?” she called out.
“I’m here!”
She looked over where his voice came from. He was walking back from the trees. Mara got to her feet and began to deflate her bedding.
“When did everyone leave?”
“Twenty minutes ago.”
“Why didn’t you wake me?”
