CHAPTER 36 #3
My heart beats at the speed of light. Any minute it might rip from my chest and chase after him, because my heart knows, even if my mind might not, that no matter what… I love him.
Even if everything inside me screams to hate him, my mind begs for revenge.
My knee bounces as I cross my arms, sucking in deep breaths as I anxiously await to see him return. The screams and cheers of those in the arena outside make my stomach roll like thousands of snakes. Are they screaming because he is surviving… or screaming because he is dying?
The line has already shortened. Four, including Koen, have gone out to ride, and none have returned. Koen better return.
My fingers glide over the edges of the paper that sticks out from my pocket. My heart screams to open it, to read what he has written to me, but my mind forbids me to. Controlling me.
Screw it.
I swiftly remove it, unfolding it so fast as if time is not on my side.
My heart races with each unfold, my fingers trembling as I anxiously wait to read it.
My spark,
I close it, eyes shutting as I breathe out a trembling breath. How I have always loved his name, something he has called me from the moment he met me that night in the Ice Nation. My stomach swirls, steadying my heart that races uncontrollably.
I reopen it, carefully, letting my eyes scan upward before reading what he wrote.
I remember the night of the dance, to celebrate the vow between you and Florian.
How my heart ached as I watched the two of you up there, hand in hand, knowing that hand was supposed to be tangled with mine.
Now, this feeling has taken over me once more.
Knowing that my hands cannot be wrapped within yours.
Knowing that my arms cannot hold you close.
Knowing I cannot protect you from the darkness that is inside me.
But what I can promise you, my dear little Spark, is that my heart shall forever be yours.
Even if its light is completely shattered by the dark, even when Tileatha controls me with the blue flame, my heart shall forever beat for you and only you.
If I die today, know that I died for you, and have lived only for you.
With love,
Your Koen.
A tear rolls down my cheek.
Gods be with him.
I close my eyes, letting out a shaky breath.
I hate him. Despise him. But damn it, who am I kidding, my whole body burns for him.
Every inch of me loves the man that just walked out for the Gods to decide his fate.
Even though part of me wants him dead if Alice is truly gone.
But I want it to be from my hands, not the Gods.
Alice better be alive so I can forgive him.
“Tristain Kileson,” the guard shouts, and my eyes snap open.
I frantically scan the room, my body shifting on my toes, but Koen is nowhere. My heart slams to the bottom of my stomach as nausea runs up my throat.
“Please tell the Queen I am sorry!” The man falls to his knees, begging the guard for mercy.
He kicks the man. “Get up, or head to the caves for your death!”
“I didn’t mean to do it! I swear, they forced me to help them!” Tristain holds his hands up, frantically clawing at the guards armor. “The horses won’t bond with me! I know it! I’m a dead man!”
“I am giving you one more chance!” He gives him a swift kick this time against the face. “Get up and head out there, or we will take you to the caves!”
Blood gushes from Tristain’s nose as he pushes off the ground and rushes through the tunnel to meet his fate.
“This goes for anyone. You try and run out there, the guards will kill you, or the archers will. You don’t walk through this tunnel to compete in the game, you will be thrown into the cave!
” the guard screams, his finger pointing in the tunnel.
“The Queen gives no mercy for those who betray the Realm! To the others, you decided to join the games at your own will and now you must finish it!”
But as the men whisper with what just unfolded, my heart turns into a frantic, deadly race. Where is he?
I shove the letter inside my pocket and sprint. I push forward, shoving my body against the few of the men and walk towards the guard.
“Where is Koen?” I grab the scroll that hides his face, pushing it down so he can lock eyes with me.
“Not you again,” the guard grunts. I suppose I didn’t recognize him as the same one from the first game.
“I need to know where Koen is!”
“I’m sorry, if they do not return, they did not pass this game.” He tries to lift the scroll again, but I shove it down.
“I need to go out there.” I lean forward, beaming a raging glare into his eyes. “I need to go through.”
“She’s just nervous.” Kaine swiftly runs up to me. “She doesn’t mean that.”
“Yes, I do,” I hiss.
“Get back in line,” the guard barks. Which pisses me off.
“Excuse me?” My brows twist upward. “Who did you—”
“Yes sir, we will right away.” Kaine grins, elbowing the shit out of my covered arm. “We will do just that.”
Kaine grins the fakest smile I have yet to see, taking his hand to grip my suit-covered arm and yanking me backwards. “You already disobeyed the rules of the games once. If you do it again, they will take you to the dragons.”
I pull my arm away, adjusting my suit. “Take me to the damn dragons for all I care, they can’t burn me.”
“No, but they are hungry, Serene.” He locks eye contact with me. “This is why the men here have been on their best behavior. They listen to the rules, obey the Queen, and do the damn games with no questions. Or, they will be dragon food.”
My hand shakingly rubs over my face as I let out a frustrated sigh. “Why even keep the dragons? They should be free.”
“These dragons stay for the battle games, and if need be, they capture more. The Realms want them gone eventually since they are a curse.” He takes a step towards me, his eyes weary.
“But the Queen keeps them for the games, and that’s it.
The others, the guards go out to hunt for.
One day, they will all be removed from our Realms, and we should be at peace again. ”
“I’m confused.” My lip tugs upward, disgusted with what the Realms have done. “Have these dragons ever hurt anyone besides the ones in the games?”
I startle him. He glances away, his mind racing with the thoughts of it. “No. Not that I know of. But we can’t be certain, especially those who shift uncontrollably.”
“Then why kill something that has never hurt someone?”
“Queen Antivianna has written this into the ways of our Realms after we saw the first dragon, as well as the first shifter.”
“And who was that?”
“Florian was the first.” His jaw ticks. “But we do know there are more.”
“And I thought only the Royals were cursed.”
“That’s what the people of our Realm believe, but…
we have seen more.” He nods. “The people believe death will always be the key in order for our survival.
For one day the Gods will free the Realms from the dragons, and we will all be at peace.
But they feed off of these games and after centuries, it's become an obsession to some. The games will never end unless the curses vanish.”
My lips part to speak, but the guard’s metal armor clinking against itself echoes around us.
“Serene.” The guard clears his throat. “Serene.”
They don’t know my last name.
But I’ll make them remember.
I nod towards Kaine as he nods towards me.
My boots beat against the cobblestone flooring as the remaining men stare while I pass by them. All are lined next to the bunk beds by the center walkway. I make my way around the wooden table, no meat is left over. I wonder if Theon ate it all.
With a firm snatch, I rip the wristband I must use when trying to bond with one of the four from the guard's hand. My leather gloves tighten around it. He flinches. I supposed I startled him.
“I have gloves on,” I snarl amusingly. “Don’t worry. I can’t burn you with them.”
His eyes narrow. “I hope this is the last time I see you.”
The corner of my lips tug. “I’m sorry to break it to you, but you’ll see me again. I’m not going anywhere.”
I raise my chin higher, arching my shoulders back, and I never make eye contact with the other men. I can feel their eyes glued on me.
Let them stare. Let them watch.
Just wait till they see what I am.
And they all better drop to their knees and pray that Koen is not dead.