I glanced toward the box, finding Trew watching me. His jaw clenched so hard I could see it from across the arena.He shifted on his throne, and I inanely wondered if this was affecting him as much as it was me.
A long, sinewy feline with fur that gleamed like polished metal padded close enough to me that I could feel its breath, warm and meaty, on my skin. Its dark eyes studied me with uncomfortable intelligence. It paused, tilting its head, but unless its hearing was better than mine, it heard only silence.
With a huff, it turned and strode across the arena, exiting through the gate.
Another circled me, head undulating, its gaze cool and calculating. A third joined it, then a fourth. They shifted like predators tasting the air around prey, before they pivoted and left as well.
Heat flooded my cheeks, my shame given physical form. My skin prickled with embarrassment that felt worse than any wound.
I couldn’t breathe. The air felt too thin, too hot.
I needed this bond to remain in Syllavar, but how could I want it when I’d soon destroy this place and leave?
Around me, the crowd stirred. Their whispers built, stacking on top of each other.What’s happening? This has never... Will they all reject her?
The arena blurred, but I refused to cry. My breathing rasped like I’d been plunged underwater.
Laughter rang out. A whistle.
None of it touched me.
I remained a single pinprick of silence in the center of a torturous spectacle.
Glancing up, I found Trew’s gaze still locked on me.
Icouldn’tbe seeing understanding in his eyes. Yet his expression wasn’t the cold amusement I’d expected. It wasn’t satisfaction at seeing me humiliated either.
It appeared to be…concern?
No. That couldn’t be right. We were enemies.
Weren’t we?
Enemies didn’t help each other, and he’d helped me.
My belly flipped, tightening low. I didn’t like how I was responding to his gaze. I begged myself to look away, but I couldn’t.
A serpent-like creature slithered toward me. Sniffed me. Then it turned and slunk across the arena, leaving through the gate.
Only a few beasts remained. What did it mean that none were interested in bonding with me?
Of course I was the outlier. The unwanted. The one the Rite spat back.
I swallowed the acid in my throat. I should’ve known better. Pretending I was special. What a stupid, stupid mistake.
Another lion-like beast approached me, all deadly grace and barely contained power. Surely this one would choose me. Surely?—
It sniffed once, delicately, at least. With a snarl, it jerked back, reeling around to gallop across the arena and disappear through the exit.
A sound escaped me. Not quite a sob, not quite a growl. Something raw and broken I couldn’t contain. My knees buckled, but I caught myself, my heels scraping stone as I forced my spine straight again. Hundreds of eyes were watching.Let them.
Trew shifted on his throne, and I caught the briefest flicker of magic crackling around his fingers, barely leashed lightning.
Then he checked himself, his fingers tightening on the arms. His mouth flattened, and I realized he probably wanted to drag his gaze away, to stare at the floor or the roof or the others in the stands.
Anywhere but at me.
Was he watching me because he feltpity?
