Chapter 28
Twenty-Eight
After Autumn relieved herself and washed the sleep from her eyes with loose snow, she left the cave to go meet Armienti. As she walked through the field of ice, her go-go boots skated with each step. Why couldn’t she fly anymore? A lump formed in her throat; her heart sped. Was there something wrong with her? Was she sick?
She had a vague idea of what Armienti wanted her to do and she hoped she wasn’t out of practice. It’d been a few months, and she didn’t want to embarrass herself in front of him. Her cheeks suddenly became the warmest part of her body.
Armienti sat cross-legged in the snow. The shirt portion of his uniform was off, and he assumed a deep state of meditation. Wind and flurries drifted through the long golden strands of his hair. His blue muscles gleamed in the muted sunlight.
She cleared her throat and her hand slid down to the fullest part of her hip. “Seriously, can we get this over with?” Her teeth chattered. She was dying to go back inside where it was warm and dry.
She was so cold and tired and desperate for another nap. She yawned as a second round of sleep clouded her eyes. Why was she so exhausted after a full night of rest?
Armienti came to a graceful stand, feline-like and beautiful all at once. He ran a hand through his gilded hair. “Just because we’re friends again doesn’t mean I’ll take it easy on you, Autumn Ramon-Martyne.”
She rolled her eyes. “Let’s get this over with.” She meant every word.
His mouth tilted to the side, and he assumed a fighting stance. She crouched and took one as well, fingers flexed. Her unused muscles trembled, head spinning with anticipation. Her heart pounded through her throat.
Armienti lunged at her and launched a kick. She stepped to the side as his heavy black boots skidded against the ice.
“Great reflexes,” he winked.
She grinned suddenly, overwhelmed with the urge to fight. Her non-human half took control. She couldn’t help herself. Blood pumped in her ears. She wanted to connect her fist with bone. “Are my reflexes great, or are you getting rusty?”
His pretty face contorted, eyes narrowing to razor-thin slits. “There she is.”
He circled her. Her eyes locked with his.
“How about we up the stakes a little?” The frigid wind howled through his gilded hair. Amusement graced his charming face. “If you win our match, I’ll wait on you hand and foot. I’ll prepare your meals and fetch your water. I’ll clean up after you and essentially be your slave. But if I win, I get to kiss you,” the corners of his mouth flickered with excitement.
Autumn stared at him in silence. The thought of kissing Armienti and not Dante made her heart shatter into a million pieces.
“No.”
“Aww, you’re no fun,” he winked. “Suit yourself. Perhaps I’ll be your slave regardless.”
After he spoke, she made a fist and thrust it toward his chin. Armienti caught the ball of her fist, chuckling—until she took her leg and kneed him in the gut. He doubled over and sputtered backwards, spitting up bile all over the ice.
She covered her mouth, biting back a smile as he glanced at her, coughing. Fighting was the best feeling in the world. Uncontrollable bloodlust pulsated through her veins. A few years back she couldn’t imagine anything feeling so satisfying.
“What did you think Dante and I did all day every day, make out?” She laughed.
He came to a stand, catching his breath. “You’re going to be sorry for that.”
Armienti charged at her, knocking her from her feet and onto her back. The wind escaped her lungs as she hit the cold cruel ice. They skidded and rolled together, their bodies covered in powdered snow, limbs entwined. The white world spun around and around and around until—she heard a crack and a groan.
They stopped rolling and she climbed off him. He lay in the snow, white puffs of breath seeping from his mouth. His hair covered his face, and his right wrist bent the wrong way. Bits of muscle and bone pierced his skin. Droplets of blood seeped into the pant leg of his uniform. She cupped her hand over her mouth. Oh, no, no, no. Please no.
“I am so, so sorry, Armienti. Are you okay?” she asked as her body quaked all over. She snapped out of her daze. “Here, let me help you.” She reached down and pulled him to a seated position. His eyes shot open.
“I’m okay.” He went to move his hand, but it fell limp in his lap.
“No, you’re not,” her brows furrowed. “You’re hurt.”
And it was all her fault.
He held his arm out before flashing a crooked smile. “Don’t worry, this isn’t the first time I’ve broken a bone. I’ll just rejuvenate myself.”
He focused on healing his bent wrist. Nothing changed. The bone remained dislodged. Her stomach twisted.
Armienti’s jaw dropped. “I don’t understand what’s going on. Why can’t I rejuvenate? What the hell?” Sweat beaded along his brow as he examined his hand.
“I don’t know.” She shuddered. “It’s like this planet is draining our abilities.”
“Or slowly killing us,” his eyes widened, face paling.