Page 13 of Kiss of Embers
Bolveg smoothed a hand over the tufts of fuzzy white hair that clung to his head. “Of course… Uh, Inessa”—he slanted her a look—“goddess of victory and other sundry things, has graciously agreed to oversee the competition.” He clasped his hands in front of him, golden rings winking on his pudgy fingers. “Each participant must approach the Fountain of Truth prior to the start of the competition. One by one, you’ll drink from thefountain and swear not to use any magic you do not already possess. At the Games’ conclusion, the fountain will reflect the face of the winner. Inessa will ensure everyone drinks from the fountain as required.”
Something brushed my shoulder. When I turned my head, Brader Ashcroft stood at my side. As disbelief gripped me, he met my gaze and offered a slight smile.
“Hi.”
“What are you doing here?” I blurted.
On the platform, Bolveg continued to speak. “Now, the Games consist of three challenges…”
“Ashcroft?” Drute said at my other shoulder. “Where did you come from?”
“He followed me,” I said, my attention divided between Brader and Bolveg, who continued to describe the competition.
“…per the rules, contestants will only learn the nature of each challenge immediately prior to the start of that challenge…”
Brader bristled as he held my stare. “I’m here to compete.” His gaze hardened. “And to make sure you don’t get yourself killed.”
My disbelief swirled into anger. “Are you serious? It’s none of your business what I do.”
“…this is to prevent anyone from gaining a magical edge,” Bolveg said.
“You put yourself in danger unnecessarily,” Brader said. He looked at Drute. “You should put a stop to this.”
My hand itched to slap the arrogance from Brader’s face. “No one will bestoppingme from doing anything.”
“Shh,” someone hissed. I yanked my gaze from Brader’s to find a vampire glaring at me over his shoulder. He tossed Brader and me a disgruntled look.
“Keep it down. Some of us are trying to listen to the rules.”
“Sorry,” I said, and I pitched my voice low as I turned back to Brader. “Go home, Brader.”
His brows pulled together. “I told you, I came to compete.”
“You don’t need the elixir,” I said.
“You don’t know that.”
“Oh, yeah? What are you going to use it for?”
“Will you twoshut up?” someone asked.
Drute clamped a hand on my shoulder. “Easy, Zara. Brader has as much right to compete as anyone else.”
I shrugged out of his grip. Whose side was he on, anyway?
Brader narrowed his eyes. “Maybe I’ll wish for you to come to your senses.”
My wolf roared to the surface. Anger curled my hands into fists. Forget a slap. Brader was asking for a well-placed right hook. I was probably fast enough to land a punch before he dodged it.
“…will take place in the Catacombs of Uzgal,” Bolveg droned from the platform. “Each competitor must solve a series of puzzles while facing their deepest fears.”
“Let me state this plainly, Brader,” I said through clenched teeth. “I won’t marry you. So you can go home.”
Brader drew a deep breath. At the same moment, a shout rose from the other side of the clearing. Bolveg stopped speaking as murmurs ran through the crowd.
Frowning, I looked toward the source of the commotion. Men blocked my view, and I went on tiptoe as the murmurs grew louder. Snatches of conversation rippled toward me.
“…two of them.”