Chapter 34
Vaelor
Mara slept curled against his chest, her breath warm against his skin, her body soft and relaxed in a way he had never seen before.
Vaelor held her carefully, one arm beneath her shoulders, the other rubbing slow, steady circles up and down her spine.
She made a small, contented sound in her sleep, and something inside him tightened—something fierce and tender.
Never imagined crossing galaxies, surviving the Games, and finding the one being in the universe who felt as though she had been created solely for him. Mara was a miracle—unexpected, impossible, and now essential to him in a way he could not fully name.
He lowered his forehead to hers, breathing her in. Her scent, her warmth, the trust in the way she slept against him—settled into his bones.
He didn’t know what came after the Games. He didn’t know what future they could claim. But he knew this:
He would do everything in his power to make sure she won.
She needed the credits to save her father.
He needed her safe.
The details could come later.
Right now, he wanted only this moment—her heartbeat against his, the quiet after the storm, the fragile peace before the next trial.
Mara stirred slightly but didn’t wake. Vaelor brushed a strand of hair from her cheek, letting his fingers linger for a heartbeat longer than necessary.
Eventually, he slept as well.
When they both woke, they shared a comfortable silence as they prepared breakfast and packed up the bedding.
Their visors chimed, surprising them. A sharp, metallic tone that shattered the stillness.
Vaelor stiffened, instinctively pulling Mara closer as the holographic interface flickered to life in front of them. The Game Master’s image appeared—towering, theatrical, and far too pleased with himself.
“Attention, remaining competitors!” the Game Master boomed. “It is time to begin your final trek. Continue north to the Bridge of Souls.”
The hologram shifted, displaying a massive ice structure suspended between two towering mountains, Mt. Volt and Mt. Bolt. The bridge stretched impossibly far, a gleaming ribbon of frost and danger.
“The Bridge of Souls stands one thousand meters above the glacier floor and spans twelve thousand meters in length.”
The Game Master’s grin widened.
“High winds, unstable steps, and unpredictable ice fractures await you. Only by crossing this bridge will you earn the right to face the next challenge. Good luck!”
The hologram vanished in a burst of cold blue light. Silence returned—but it was no longer peaceful.
Vaelor looked at Mara.
“How are you with heights?” he asked.
“I used to rock climb with my dad.”
“Why would you climb rocks?”
“It's an activity that some do for fun, some do for exercise. The point is, I’m okay with heights.”
“We need to be ready for anything.”
She hugged him. “We’ll get through this together.”
He was unsure of the danger that awaited them. He tightened his hold, feeling the weight of what lay ahead settle heavily on his shoulders. Vaelor pressed a soft kiss to her forehead.
Whatever the Games demanded next, he would meet it.
For her.
Always for her.