With a twang, the arrow flies true, slicing through the air and making a satisfying thud as it pierces the gorgon’s tail. Dayton breaks free from its grasp, his swords flashing in the bright light of the arena. He launches himself forward, blades singing. With a swift, decisive strike, he plunges both swords deep into the heart of the monster. A final, fatal blow that sends the creature and Dayton crashing to the ground in a tangle of scales and blood.
For a moment there’s only silence. Then like a storm rolling over the sea, the crowd begins to roar. Dayton rises from the corpse of the gorgon, shaking green blood off his blades. He walks over to me, flashing a dazzling smile. “There it is. Have you ever heard such a beautiful sound?”
“They’re cheering for you.”
“They’re cheering forus.” He sheathes his sword and grabs my arm, raising it up.
We did it, our first victory. Only two more until we win our chance to claim the bow. The crowd is on their feet, Dayton’s name ringing through the air. My breath is ragged, heart pounding. But as I look at Dayton, he’s not staring at the crowd. His gaze is straight on Kairyn, watching from the precipice.
A challenge. A warning.
The High Prince of Summer has returned.
CHAPTER 65
Rosalina
It’s too hot. I love Summer, with the sun, the beaches, the golden sand. But it’s too bloody hot. Sweat drips down my brow and I clutch my pillow tighter as my stomach cramps. How much longer can this last?
After Dayton and I returned victorious from our battle, we were greeted with cheers and applause from the other gladiators. Tilla pulled us aside and told us how seeing Dayton in the arena had spread a wave of hope through the captured warriors. She knows we have intentions to defeat the Green Rule, and she assured us that when we move against Kairyn, there are those who will fight with us.
Then, during training, in the combat pit,thishappened to me, and I returned to my small room to lie down. I’m not sure how long ago it was now, only that if it doesn’t stop soon, I might die.
A knock sounds on my door. “Who’s there?”
“Day.”
“Come in,” I groan, not bothering to change into my siren form. Keeping the form up isn’t exactly hard—more of an unconscious action, like breathing—but right now all I can concentrate on is this agony.
Dayton closes the door behind him. He’s holding a tray of food and places it on the floor beside my bed. His hair is damp from washing off the blood, and his bare chest glimmers with a light sheen of sweat. Around his waist, he wears a simple white wrap, showing off the muscles of his long legs. Watching how that powerful body moved in the arena this morning, and now seeing him clean and nearly bare …
It’s torture.
“I’m not hungry.”
He kneels beside the bed. “Come on, a little posca never did any harm.” He holds up a brothy soup with herbs floating on the surface. “Besides, a gladiator has to eat.”
“I’m hardly a gladiator.” I force myself to sit up and gingerly take the bowl of soup.
“You won a match in the Sun Colosseum. Even Keldarion can’t say that. Imagine the look on his face when we tell him.”
At the thought of my mate, a wave of agonizing heat ripples through me. The spoon drops into the soup, splashing liquid over us.
“Rosalina!” Dayton cries, taking the soup away. “What’s wrong with you? I thought you were just tired, but what is this? Venom? Did the gorgon bite you? Tell me.”
His teal eyes blaze with worry. But how can I tell him this? It’sembarrassing. I clutch my blanket around my shoulders and squish myself into the corner of the bed. “Don’t worry about me. This will pass. I’ll be okay for tomorrow’s match.”
“Dammit, Blossom, you’re burning up.” He touches my forehead, and then he’s sitting on my bed, pulling me into his arms. “I can go look for some medicine.”
“It won’t help.” I know I should pull away, but instead I find myself leaning my head on his chest. His heartbeat is so fast. “Not with this.”
“What isthis?”
I squirm against him, feeling a sudden wave of relief. “I think mywilde courtshipis affecting me. Did you ever hear Farron talk about it?”
“A little maybe,” Dayton says. “I don’t remember what he said.”
I let out a sigh, my hand curling into a fist over his hard stomach. “It’s a physiological response from being away from my mates. Specifically, Kel because we’ve never completed our bond. Basically … my body craves him. Last time this happened, my mind even brought me to Kel in my dreams, but I think he’s too far down in the Below now. There’s no relief unless—”
