CHAPTER THREE #2
His hair reminded me of Kodhan’s, though just a smidge shorter, and a shade darker.
The ensemble he wore made even Maverick’s look insignificant.
A crown could have been placed on his head, and no one would doubt that it belonged there.
But where his friend was decorated with gold, Brannon was adorned with silver.
Several rings of colored jewels circled his fingers, and the buttons of his lapel sparkled.
When he shifted just right, light from the chandeliers above bounced off his finery, flashing across his brown skin.
“Right…” He pulled his hand back only to swipe it across his mouth.
His amber irises swiveled back to the thrall of bodies dancing in the center of the room.
All of the other competitors were there, a large number of them holding empty glasses.
“Not that they would notice, but if we keep filling their glasses, perhaps we’ll have an easier time in the first trial,” he mused.
The woman and I answered at the same time.
“It certainly wouldn’t hurt to try.”
“There is no we.”
“Theia.” It was Brannon’s turn to lower his brows. “You haven’t told her yet?”
“I was going to before you stole my pastry.” She glared at him before splaying her hands out apologetically.
“I’m sorry, Eloise. At least let me introduce myself first. My full name is Theadora, but everyone calls me Theia.
My parents are Syrellos. Court-born.” Of course her parents were court-born.
Most of our parents were, although I would never be able to single out the face of any Syrello in a crowd.
Staying far away from court members—and their families—ranked high on my list of priorities.
“And you haven’t told me what exactly?” I pressed drily.
The hairs on the back of my neck stood on end as the scent of smoke and ash coated the insides of my nostrils. Heat tickled my exposed skin.
“That we’re going to be allies, of course.”
I whirled around, skirts swishing with the force of my momentum. “Absolutely not.”
Kodhan stood close enough that my skirts brushed the toes of his shoes. His arms were crossed over his torso, while he sported a cocky smirk that sent my molars grinding again. “You heard the king. All competitors must work with at least one person throughout the trials.”
“I heard him perfectly fine. It is you who is confused.” I jabbed a finger to the middle of his chest. Pure, hard muscle met my touch. “You’re a fool if you think I will set foot anywhere near you after tonight. Let alone work with you.”
He had the nerve to look bored. “Not just me.” He looked down at my finger, still pressing into his chest, then over my shoulder. “Them, too.”
“I refuse,” I seethed.
He leaned closer, and through the smell of smoke, I could discern notes of what reminded me of a forest in the aftermath of a downpour, of fresh pine and the mist that rose from still lakes. “Show me your other options, then,” he challenged, that smirk still fixed tightly onto his face.
I didn’t dare break his stare. We both knew I didn’t have any.
“You are a right bastard.”
“Insult me all you want. I made a promise.” Kodhan’s voice dropped an octave as his fingers wrapped around my wrist. I’d almost forgotten I was still touching him. “And I don’t break my promises.”
Someone cleared their throat.
I shook my wrist out of his grip. Two could play at this game. And I wanted the power that came with winning far more than he did.
Kodhan’s eyes blazed with inner fire as he studied the answering challenge written across my face. He stepped back, allowing cool air to replace the heat he’d been emitting.
“Anyway,” Brannon said, hesitantly. “Welcome to the team.”
“We’re not so bad,” Theia added quickly. “Actually, I take that back. Brannon is an awful thief and can rarely take things seriously.”
Brannon’s brows lifted. “Theia is meddlesome, and horrible at keeping secrets.”
A headache throbbed between my temples. Made worse by the grating noise blaring from the orchestra, incomparable to its earlier, softer symphony.
I tuned out Brannon and Theia’s following argument, scanning the crowd for Diana. She’d migrated somewhere within the thrall.
I needed to convince her to let me leave, to prepare for the first trial. My time was wasted here.
Time I did not have.
As I made to step away from the three of them, Kodhan grabbed hold of my wrist again, though there was no force to it. I could’ve pulled away if I wanted to.
“What do you want?” I spat.
He purposefully moved to block my path, making my blood boil further. “Maverick is angry. His new ally rule will be the least of our concerns. Unlucky as we are, he is likely to twist more of them.”
“I’ve been unlucky since I was born, Kodhan. My entire life has been nothing but instability. This is nothing new for me.”
He gave me a look I couldn’t read. “All I am saying is that we’ll need to be careful. Be prepared for anything.”
“I will always be prepared. But careful?” I laughed, but it was humorless. Bitter. “Careful is something I’ll be when the rest of the competitors are dead.”
Kodhan’s answering laugh had me sucking in an involuntary, surprised breath. Although it was small, it was… genuine. I was loath to admit that the man was handsome despite all his faults. But that sliver of warmth was devastating.
“So the viper has fangs, after all.” His fingers drifted from my wrist, trailing upwards until they reached my elbow.
“I’m going to find my grandmother.” Staggering backwards, I came close to colliding into Brannon, who still argued with Theia.
Kodhan said nothing else. Though I could feel his eyes linger on my back as I shoved past intoxicated bodies.
Too hot. This room was too hot.
I found Diana’s amidst a new, smaller group. Kodhan’s father was included. They shared similar colored hair, and strong builds, but that was it. The resemblance between the two was minimal. Kodhan must take after his mother, then.
She remained sequestered in their mountain estate, so rarely spotted within the innermost parts of the kingdom that I doubted I’d seen her more than once. Any memory of her was hazy. Like looking at someone through a foggy mirror.
Diana still gave off the impression that she wanted to skewer someone. Even more so as her attention landed on me.
She cut Kodhan’s father off mid-sentence. “Excuse me, Jareth.” She broke apart from the others and stopped me before I got any closer to them. “I’ve been looking for you everywhere.”
I raised a single brow at her. “I wasn’t very hard to find. If you can spot the drinks, you could’ve easily spotted me as well.”
“Never mind that,” she said, urging me a few paces back so that her group was out of earshot. “You’ve found allies.” A statement, not a question.
“I did,” I admitted. “Powerful ones.” I wasn’t certain about Theia or Brannon. But if Kodhan kept them as close company, it had to mean something.
“You wouldn’t know the first thing about power,” she sniffed, chin raising.
Ignoring the jab, I asked, as nicely as I could manage, “I came to ask you if Gideon could escort me back to my rooms.”
“No.”
Not unexpected. But unpleasant, nonetheless.
“Please.” I nearly choked over the word. I needed to get out. “A simple walk through the gardens, then.” Rarely did I beg, or try to reach a compromise with her. But this room was running out of air.
She hesitated, glancing at those dancing nearby to ensure there were no prying ears. “Gideon won’t be escorting you anywhere. The first trial is in three hours,” she whispered hurriedly.
“Three hours?”
A handful of people turned their heads to look our way.
Waving them away with a glare that promised death, Diana fixed a stray wisp of hair away from her face.
I hadn’t noticed moments ago, but she looked…
disheveled. Stressed. And Diana Fennhaven never stressed.
She plowed, constantly, like a bull with sharp horns ready to pierce anything in its path. Nothing ever shook her.
Except for right now.
She squared her shoulders; sharpened her horns. “His Majesty is giving you all just enough time to change and gather in the Dome.” The hollowed-out section of the castle that allowed spectators to look down on us as we fought for our lives.
It was as if someone had my lungs in the palm of their hand and squeezed mercilessly. “Why hasn’t he said anything yet?”
“The king can do whatever he pleases.” It was a reprimand, but she sounded just as angry as I felt.
I spun, searching for Theia, Brannon, and Kodhan. They no longer stood by the refreshments. “The others don’t know.”
“The competitors don’t. But word is moving quickly amongst us in court.”
When I rounded back, I noticed Kodhan’s father had disappeared from Diana’s group. Hopefully to warn his son.