Only when it moved on did Vaelor allow himself to breathe.
Mara whispered, shaken, “What—who—?”
Vaelor already knew.
Blaine and Dugan sprinted past them, using the distraction to slip through the final stretch of the canyon.
Blaine didn’t even look back.
Rage flared hot in Vaelor’s chest. He lifted Mara to her feet, keeping her close as they made the final steps out of the canyon.
The moment they crossed the threshold, Blaine turned, smirking.
“Guess you two make better bait than competitors.”
Vaelor didn’t speak.
He didn’t need to.
One punch—clean, controlled, and fueled by every ounce of fury he’d held back—sent Blaine sprawling unconscious across the ice.
Dugan didn’t move. He held up his hands calmly. “I had nothing to do with it.”
Vaelor ignored him. His focus was on Mara.
“Are you harmed?” he asked, voice low.
She shook her head, breathing unsteadily. “No. Thanks to you.”
Vaelor exhaled slowly, the adrenaline fading. “Then it is finished.”
But inside, he knew it wasn’t.
Not by a long shot.
“Are you okay?” Mara asked, placing a palm on his chest.
Vaelor looked at her, admiration warming him. “Your father taught you well. His wisdom may have saved us.”
She smiled softly. “He’d like you.”
Vaelor wasn’t sure what to do with the warmth that bloomed in him at that thought. But he knew one thing:
Mara’s stories were becoming as valuable to him as her presence.
Chapter 29
Mara
She knew that Vaelor was worried about her. She hadn’t said much on the way to their next campsite. Esto and Vor had been disqualified but at least they were still alive. The Slurchan and Rasilian had made it across the canyon, but they suffered severe injuries.
Blaine was acting like he hadn’t tried to kill her so that he could get across the canyon—used her like he tried to claim Vaelor was doing. She was so filled with hurt and anger, she didn’t know what to do or say.
“Are you hungry?” Vaelor asked with concern.
“I don’t think I can eat right now.”
“Do you want to sit by the fire and get warm?”
