Chapter 62
CHAPTER 62
Dayton
T hrough the grates in the barracks, I watch the fight outside. Kairyn’s got three Summer legionnaires pitted against some creature he’s dragged from the Below. A chimera, by the looks of it.
Fighting monsters from the Below is not uncommon in the Sun Colosseum, but it was always by choice. Now, my people are forced to risk their lives.
Torches mounted around the arena paint the sands with long black shadows. I have an hour at most before the wolf takes over.
Despite it being mandatory attendance, the crowd buzzes with anticipation. They don’t want to see legionnaires of Summer die any more than I do.
The chimera’s lion-like body tenses, its goat’s head casting a sinister gaze. The Summer legionnaires are armed with swords and shields, at least. The chimera lunges with a deafening roar, claws slashing through the air. My comrades evade the creature’s deadly strikes. One lands a slice across the chimera’s flank, but the beast barely flinches, its hide resilient.
“That thing ate three men yesterday. We can only hope its full belly makes it slow,” a familiar voice says from behind me.
I turn. “Tilla!” I rush forward and clutch her in an embrace. “What are you doing here?”
Her body stiffens, and she backs away from me. The last time I saw the blacksmith, she was leading a group of Spring refugees to the Winter Realm.
“Kairyn’s forces ambushed us on the pass,” Tilla says. “It was like he knew exactly where we were going to be. His cursed army transported most of the citizens to prisons in Florendel, while our fighters were taken here to the arena.”
“I’m sorry, Tilla. It lifts my spirits to see you alive, though.” Somehow, Kairyn finds out everything: the mountain pass, the location of Corsa Tuga. There’s a new scar across Tilla’s cheek. Raven-haired with tawny skin and eyes that shine like chips of onyx, Tilla’s always had a fierce sort of beauty, but I don’t think I truly appreciated her until we reconnected a few months ago in Spring. I know for certain I didn’t give her the respect she deserved when she was engaged to Keldarion.
Another roar sounds from outside. The chimera is dripping blood, but pursues the soldiers relentlessly, driving them against a wall. Your back to the wall means your enemy knows you have nowhere to go. I think of one of Justus’s lessons, gritting my teeth.
“You volunteered for this madness?” Tilla raises a brow. “Please tell me you have a plan, and this isn’t all some plea for a glorious death upon the sands, Daytonales.”
“I have a plan.”
“That sea creature you dragged in … is she part of it?”
“Madison’s my partner.” I turn to see Rosalina surrounded by legionnaires on the eating bench, no doubt enchanting them with tales of the sea. So far, we’ve been treated like any other captives here. I’ve been in the barracks a million times, and it’s all pretty much the same. The mess hall, the viewing area to watch the fights, a training pit stocked with wooden weapons and a sample of armor to choose from. They confiscated my swords, though I did demand to have them back for our first fight tomorrow. We’ll see if they comply.
The only difference is now the exits are blocked. You fight or you die.
There’s a shift in the crowd outside, a stillness. The kind of silence that only happens when the battle is near over. The legionnaires maneuver around the monstrous beast, their swords flashing in the sunlight. Then, seizing a fleeting opportunity, one of them delivers a decisive blow, plunging her sword deep into the chimera’s side. As the creature stumbles and falls, defeated, a wave of jubilation washes over the arena. Sitting in the Emperor’s Box, I see a looming dark shadow stand and leave. Even you can’t control the arena, Kairyn.
He hasn’t come down to force me into prison yet, which means the plan is working. He’s going to allow me to fight.
My gaze stays locked on the Emperor’s Box where a glowing object hovers above a pedestal. Rosalina’s Bow of Radiance. It’ll be ours again soon.
“You’ve already stirred the hearts of your soldiers with merely your presence,” Tilla says. “I cannot wait to see what flames you ignite upon the sands.”
“Down here, Tilla, we’re not soldiers,” I say, slapping her on the shoulder. “We’re gladiators.”
I’m not sure my wolf is going to fit. I stand in my box of a room. Each gladiator is given one, consisting of nothing more than a single bed and a basket for our things. I’d wanted to stay in Rosie’s room, but there would really be no space for that. At least she’s in the chamber right beside mine, so I’ll be able to hear if anything goes amiss. I’d sleep outside her door if a giant wolf wouldn’t draw too much attention.
Rosalina had been delighted that Tilla was alive, and only a little disappointed she couldn’t have a formal reunion. As much as I trust Tilla, it’s safer if no one knows who Madison truly is.
I tug off my shirt and throw it in my little basket and start on the clasps of my pants just as my door opens. Maybe Rosie decided she wanted to stay in my room after all. “Ro—Wrenley!”
My mate stands in full acolyte robes, white hood drawn over her hair. In her hand is a tray of star-shaped biscuits.
“You’re okay!” I tug her inside, closing the door. “You survived the storm. I thought the waves might have taken you.”
Something akin to sadness flickers in her eyes. “They did almost. Huxton was able to throw a rope over for me.”
I clutch my chest, breathing a deep sigh of relief. Thank the stars my decision to rescue Rosalina hadn’t condemned Wrenley.
“You’re okay, too.” She sets the tray on the bed and then wraps her arms around my neck. “I was so worried about you. We searched all over when you fell off the ship.”
“I got lucky. A siren rescued me.”
“The one you brought with you to the arena? Dayton, they’re all talking about it. Kairyn is furious. But he thinks he can humiliate you out there. I don’t know what, but there’s something horrible planned for your match tomorrow.”
“Whatever it is, I can handle it.”
Wrenley’s eyes shimmer as she looks up at me. “Even with your power as it is now?” Then her hand is on my arm. “You wouldn’t have to worry about sunset or lacking magic if—”
I step away from her and look at the tray on the bed. “You’re right. It’s almost sunset. You shouldn’t be here.”
“I don’t care, I had to see you. I even volunteered to hand out blessings of the Queen to the fighters as a way to get down here.”
“Blessings of the Queen,” I say, taking a bite of the star cookie. It’s dry. “Can’t hurt.”
“Dayton, where is Rosalina? She fell from the ship in the storm. Did the sirens rescue her as well?”
“I don’t know. I couldn’t find her.”
She gives me a speculative gaze. “Yet, you returned to Hadria without her?”
“I’m sure she made it to shore. Rosie’s a great swimmer. Besides,” I walk over to her and tuck a loose strand of curly brown hair behind her ear, “if she were in danger, one of her mates would have felt it and come running. I had to return to the capital.”
“Yes, they would,” she says, then, “So, you really don’t think she’s dead?”
“No, it’ll take more than a little wave to get Rosie.”
“Trust me,” Wrenley says, picking up the tray of star-shaped cookies. “I know.”
I nod my head toward the door. “You should probably get going. You know, with sunset approaching and all that.”
Tears shimmer in her eyes. “You would send me away so soon? We only just reunited.” Her hand trails down my chest. “Didn’t you miss me, Dayton?”
Actually, I barely thought of you at all , I think, but I can’t say that out loud. “Of course I did.”
“I’ve missed you so much,” she says softly. “I didn’t realize it until we were separated, how much these last few months being with you have meant to me. Ever since my parents died and I came to live in the monastery, I’ve only ever had myself. But you look after me now, don’t you?”
My throat tightens, and I have an urgent desire to step away from her, but she looks so distraught. “You know I won’t let anything happen to you, Wren.”
Her lip begins to tremble. “You say that, but do you mean it? I saw how you treated Farron and Rosalina. So much gentleness and care. To me, you’re always so distant. They aren’t your mates. I am .”
The words hit me like arrows. I want to stumble away from her, but I force myself to stay still, to not let the anguish show on my face. I’ve put Wrenley through enough.
“I can make you happy, Dayton, if only you’d let me try,” she says and stands on her tiptoes, lips turned toward mine.
Magic shimmers through my body as the last rays of sun dip below the horizon. My body shifts, transforming into the golden wolf. Wrenley gasps and lurches back, pressing against the door.
Water drips from my paws. Rotten seaweed tangles through my fur. Barnacle-covered shells are embedded in my skin, and the smell of rancid fish hangs heavy in the air.
“I will try harder, Wrenley,” I say, the wolf’s voice more guttural than I’ve ever heard it before.
She looks me up and down, fear flashing in her eyes. “How can you stand to be like this?”
I turn away from her and slump onto the floor. “Trust me. There are harder things to bear.”