Chapter 3
Three
Zellie
With full intentions of starting training the following morning, I rose early only to be intercepted by a messenger of the Kosmos requesting my immediate presence at the Cosmic Hall.
An animalistic growl rumbles out of me towards the poor doe-eyed female, irritated by the interruption.
Her fear radiates into my aura, and I instantly feel guilty.
I will the negative emotions away, hoping my eyes no longer glow.
“You can tell Pluto I’m going to pass on this. Tell him to have the day he deserves.”
“Miss, respectfully…” Stars, is she trembling? “I’ve been given very clear instructions not to return without you.”
I drop my voice to a whisper. “Did he threaten you?”
She only looks up with me with her sad, wide eyes, and I know my answer.
This fucking guy. I won’t put this poor girl’s life at risk because Pluto wants to ensure I’m aware of my place.
Knowing there’s no way I was going into the Hall alone, I ask, “Can I meet you there? I’d like my sponsor to attend as well. ”
“He’s already in the hovercraft, miss.”
Well, then. I loose a heavy sigh before taking quick strides towards the waiting vehicle and clambering inside. The timid messenger smartly decides to join the driver in the front, leaving Orion and me alone.
“What is this? They can’t summon us like some lapdog.
” I flop down onto the seat next to Orion, brushing against his shoulder.
The contact sends a shiver down my spine, despite the touch being harmless.
My attraction to him has increased tenfold since the transformation, and I can’t ascertain as to why.
“Apparently, they’ve called all the competitors from the Games to meet.” Orion adjusts the sleeve of his tunic, seemingly unbothered by our close contact.
No. “All of them?”
His bright eyes find mine, and I swear, they burn with the same energy within mine. “All of them, Zi.”
Folding my arms, I look out the window, muttering, “I do not want to see him.” I have not considered the matter of Leo or my inability to land the killing blow when we faced off during the last game.
He betrayed me by joining the Kosmos’ side.
I don’t care what type of deal he made; he chose them, not me, and left me in the dark.
Despite that, I couldn’t bring myself to fatally harm him—another thought I’ve pushed into the far recesses of my mind to avoid examination.
I don’t know how he’s doing, nor do I care to.
“Well, today you will, princess.”
“That doesn’t land as inspirationally in this scenario, Riri.”
He cups my face, running his thumb along the seam of my lips.
Heat unfurls within me, my core instantly molten.
He must sense the shift in me as his eyes darken to a wholly black color.
“Stars, Zellie, the things I want to do to you.” Yes, please do all of them.
Preferably immediately. “There she is. Those eyes of yours are glowing again.” He drops his hand, pure male arrogance exuding from him.
I shove him, grumbling—but also happy for the distraction and lifeline out of my downward spiral.
He laughs before adding, “We stick together. Our plan remains the same. We dismantle them from the inside. Let them think we’re cooperating—but we ensure they know as little about you and what you’re capable of. Got it?”
“Yes, Orion, I won’t show off my new skills,” I drawl.
He quickly quips, “Not like you even know how to.”
Not yet, anyway.
Orion and I walk side by side into the Cosmic Hall.
As we pass through the arched doorway, I cannot help but notice that this is my first time entering this wicked, extravagant place without an ounce of fear in my bones.
We are untouchable. In me, the Kosmos has created a public icon.
But the Order can’t fire Orion for his role either, nor demote him…
That would completely upend the elaborate ruse of the “Champion for the Ages”.
Each step into the main room where the Kosmos sit poised on their thrones feels fluid, confident, and easy.
Orion once called me a viper, and I feel every bit the part.
I’m more than that, though. I am a goddess; fucking fear me.
The emotions of the room barrel into me like a powerful wave crashing down, leaving me struggling to breathe.
Unease from twelve mighty thrones ripples throughout the room.
Joy, relief, and excitement from my friends—the other competitors with whom I forged a bond during the Games, as they smile in my direction.
Chairs have been pulled from the banquet tables for this makeshift meeting.
Some stand while others sit, and the sponsors of the other contestants are mixed in between.
Seeing them frees something within me, and I instantly regret shutting them out these past weeks.
Then I feel it. Surprise, guilt, regret.
Don’t look, don’t look, don’t look. I look, of course.
Following the thread of feeling to a chair sitting on the outskirts of the room, I find Leo.
His amber eyes shine as they track my movements, his lips pressed into a tight line.
What does he see when he looks at me now?
He looks relatively the same, save for the grimace on his face.
The healers must have tended to the hole I left in his side.
My chest constricts as an onslaught of my own conflicting emotions rises to the surface, and I’m transported back to the final challenge.
“I hate you,” the poisonous words escape me, and I watch as they find their mark within Leo’s heart. The hurt in his eyes flickers but is impossible to miss. I use my free hand to leverage myself against his shoulder, pulling my body and driving my knee up into his groin.
The unexpected blow takes Leo down with a pained shout, and I take advantage of the opportunity, pouncing and pinning him down.
My dagger is out without a second thought, up against his throat as my knees straddle his chest. Tears blur my vision, the cracking of my soul more painful than any hit he landed. “How could you?”
“It wasn’t supposed to be like this,” he whispers as a tear slips from the corner of his eye, rolling down his cheek. “I’m sorry, please believe me.”
I say nothing, blinking my tears away. We will destroy each other. His throat works as he swallows, my blade digging further into his skin. “Do it,” he demands, his eyes never leaving mine.
Orion places his hand on my lower back reassuringly, bringing me back to the present.
He guides me to the opposite side of Leo, remaining a steady presence by my side.
The room is extravagant, demanding one’s attention, even without additional decorations.
It is such a shame that such darkness taints the space.
I remain standing, looking directly at the throne in the center and into Pluto’s watchful dark eyes.
The leader of the Kosmos strokes his copper goatee, his hairless head gleaming in the orb lights as he examines my appearance.
I’ve made myself scarce around the Order, and there is no doubt in my mind that he is taking advantage of this moment to pry and attempt to find out what I’ve become.
I return his stare with a smirk, realizing the fear of him faded long ago—life has shown me horrors far greater than a small, bitter man.
I no longer fear anything. His eyes linger a moment longer before addressing the room.
“Zellie’s surge of power during the Champion ceremony showered nearby planets with an astounding boost of energy, as intended.” Lies, lies, lies. Is this how the Kosmos spends their time? Manipulating situations and fabricating stories to cover up unpredictable incidents?
“Excellent news, Majesty.” Orion bows as he extends the words, and I snort, crossing my arms. He elbows my side in return, so I step on his toe as I shift my weight—accidentally, of course.
Pluto drawls on, “Indeed. We have collectively decided that the competitors from the Games are welcome to remain in Astralis—an extended courtesy of an iconic competition, if you will.” Something that feels a lot like solace flutters within me.
My friends don’t have to leave me. “Should you choose to stay, we would allow visitation between your home planets and Astralis to begin—something that has never been done before. These are unprecedented times. Our alliance with the human worlds would look most becoming.” They’re trying to increase their reach and their presence.
This entire scheme undermines the rebellion—are they on to us?
I rub my temples, attempting to disperse the growing tension.
A flicker of excitement distracts me—opening visitation would at least allow me to see Jada.
“Should you remain, you may keep your current apartment.” Pluto turns his attention to me. His features are schooled into neutrality; however, he cannot hide his eyes that seethe with malice. “The Order would like you to move into the Cosmic Hall as a display of unity.”
“No.”
“You are no longer human, Zellie.” As if I didn’t know that. “Living amongst us would be in your best interest to explore magic and discover your potential.” This translates into the Kosmos wanting to monitor me and figure out exactly what I’m capable of.
“No.”
“I will remind you—” Pluto begins a retort, but Portia leans over, resting her arm on Pluto’s, stopping him.
“And I will remind you that my life has been meddled with enough. I will reside where I desire, which is within my current apartment.” They would have to drag me out kicking and screaming and lock me in this stars-forsaken Hall before I willingly lived here.
I glance at my friends, who are stuck watching this spectacle unfold.
Wishing to end their misery, as well as mine, I add, “I plan to explore my power and will work with the Order, but I wish to remain in my home.” So I can get stronger and take you down—but that’s beside the point.
Pluto stares at me with such outward hatred, I’m surprised I don’t melt on the spot. “Then you shall keep your quarters, and we will meet within a week’s time to discuss what you can achieve for us.” The other Kosmos nod in their agreement.
Orion clears his throat. “Majesty, if I may, it is my opinion that she will require further time to discover what she is capable of. A week does not allow for—” Bless him for trying to buy me time.
It’s strange listening to him speak with the Kosmos.
He’s terse, professional, cold—it’s so at odds with the laid back version of him I’ve come to know.
Portia interjects, “With all due respect, Orion, your word is worthless to us now.” She straightens on her throne, crossing her legs. Her harsh tone settles in the Hall; now so tense and silent.
“Worthless? Have I not worked endlessly for years in this very Hall, ensuring—”
“Ah, yes, never failing to follow me around like a lost little puppy. You’ve gone too far now, I’m afraid.” Following her around? What is she talking about?
I bounce between the two of them in their verbal spar, settling on Orion as I notice the way Portia’s words have affected him. His face contorted in pain—or is that rage? His voice is strained as he responds, “Portia—”
“That’s Majesty to you, brother.”
Brother? Brother?
My vision tunnels as the realization hits me like a tidal wave. How did I not see it? The facial similarities, the mannerisms, even the tones of their voices. How did I not know? How did he not tell me? I feel as if the floor has been ripped from under me.
Stars above. Portia is Orion’s sister.