“Everything youwishedyou could the other night,” Caspian purrs.
How does Caspian even know about that? Quickly, I get up and gather my clothes, no matter how flimsy, and begin to tie them on.
Dayton tugs Cas closer. “I have a mate.”
Caspian draws his hand down Dayton’s rippling chest toward his very evident arousal. “I know you do. One you’re too scared to truly satisfy.”
Dayton moves as if to toss the Prince of Thorns away, then pauses, “Why the fuck do you smell so much like Fare? Is he here?”
My heart breaks at the desperation in Dayton’s voice. I can only imagine how much he misses Farron.
“We’ve been cuddled close every night,” Caspian rasps. “Don’t you think it’s cute how his little nose twitches when he sleeps? Or do you never get to see that because of the whole wolfy thing?”
Dayton snarls and roughly throws Caspian to the chaise.
“Stop it. Caspian is just trying to rile you because he actually cares about Farron,” I say, walking between them, and turning to Cas. “You’re being a dick. Tell Dayton you’ll protect Farron down there.”
Caspian gives a long sigh and pulls on his toga. “I actually came here to find a safe place to plant thorns. We’ll need to make a quick getaway once we grow his little mushrooms. And alas, I should be doing just that.”
“Caspian.” I reach out and grab his arm. “Thank you.”
“Anytime you want to come, darling, just think of me.” The Prince of Thorns winks.
“No, that’s not what I meant.” My face burns. “Thank you for everything else.”
“Right.” Caspian turns to Dayton. “Good luck in your next match, gladiator. You’ll need it.”
With that, the Prince of Thorns disappears in a flurry of briars.
I let out a breath, wondering if Dayton is mad about what he walked in on. But he knows I’ve been with Caspian before, and he hasn’t told me who touched him. Was it the woman who bought him or …
Dayton brushes the hair off my shoulder. “You should change back before we go out.”
Nodding, I shift into my siren form. For some reason, in that moment, I’d wanted Caspian to seeme.
Why didn’t you think I was her mate?The answers twist like a firestorm beside my heart.
As we’re escorted back to the barracks, the pink blush of morning is just cresting through the white stone of the colosseum. I’m glad we have a day off today after being up all night. The party ended shortly after Dayton and I left the private room. I didn’t see Kairyn or Wrenley again. The third fight is tomorrow, so we’ll need to use today to rest and train.
We enter separate bathing chambers to wash off the paint, and I change into a simple white shift. Dayton is waiting for me outside the baths, damp hair looking a shade darker.
We walk back to our rooms together, and he pauses outside my door. “You should try to get some sleep.”
“You too, Day,” I say.
“We should practice with a spear in the morning. Meet at the training pits?” His words are clipped, and he keeps avoiding my gaze.
“All right.”
“Rosie, uh, Rosalina … we’re going to have to do whatever it takes to win this,” he says. “I can’t lose my realm to Kairyn. I can’t let my people suffer because of him.”
I swallow, my stomach churning. “I know.”
He shifts awkwardly from foot to foot. “I took some food from the party. Here.” He places a package wrapped in cloth in my hand and walks away.
I stand there for a moment, watching his silhouette disappear.Whatever it takes.Fingerprints smeared across his golden chest …
Inside, I sit on my bed and open the wrapped package Dayton gave me, snacking on the treats. Then, I pull out the letter Caspian delivered.
