by Megan Linski
“Because I’m not pretty, okay?!” Delmare shouted, almost at the top of her lungs.
With a start, I realized that Delmare had meant it. She really did believe she was ugly.
There was way more to her pushing Stefan away then I ever thought there was.
Stefan’s gaze softened. He took his hands and gently cupped them around her face. He lowered his voice as he whispered, “Yes you are.”
Delmare’s lip trembled. “I don’t deserve this. I don’t deserve you.”
Delmare pushed Stefan away and ran from the carriages, into the palace gardens. I went to follow, but Stefan noticed us and raised a hand.
“Don’t. I’ll talk to her.” Stefan rushed after Delmare. The two figures became dark shadows as they vanished into the black night beyond.
Ethan’s brow furrowed. He appeared troubled. “Do you think they’ll be all right?”
“I hope so.” I shook my head. You’d think living in a society where magic picked out your soulmate for you, dating would be easier. But from what I’d seen, the bond only made love ten times harder.
I shivered, and Ethan said, “We need to get you back to school, before you get a cold. Come on.”
The way he tucked me under his arm as we walked to our carriage made me feel like I was the only girl in the world— the only woman that he could ever love.
I wished more than anything that were true.
Once we arrived at the university, Ethan cloaked my fur cape over my shoulders. The carriage rode off. Ethan and I were left standing underneath the stone archway.
Neither one of us wanted to part, it seemed. He looked like a painting, the backdrop of the campus around him and the falling snow coating his dark hair and eyelashes.
The fact that I was going to be married to him, but would never actually, completely be able to have him… have his heart and soul… was a hard pill to swallow. It tore me up inside.
“The Contest will begin at noon tomorrow. We’re expected to be there by eight, to begin preparations,” Ethan said. “I will be at your door by seven, so we can travel together.”
“Swell.” If there was one thing I hated, it was getting up early. Ethan owed me big time.
Ethan sighed. “It’s going to be a long day.”
“Right,” I said sourly. “Let’s just get this over with. So you can get what you want.”
“What do you mean?” Ethan took a step closer to me.
I took a deep breath. “I get that you’re just doing your duty. And yeah, I know that the country needs you and all. But I hope you understand what kind of sacrifice I’m making by joining you in this. What kind of a risk I’m putting myself through. It’s not because Malovia needs us. I’m doing this for you... because I want you to be happy. I know you don’t feel the same way, but I—”
The bell tolled midnight, and Ethan did something crazy. He leaned in to kiss me.
I don’t know if he meant to, or if it just happened. One moment I was looking into those perfect eyes, and the next, his hands had reached out to yank me against him. His mouth ravenously pressed against mine.
The kiss was soft, and warm, and deliriously heated. It was better than anything I could’ve imagined. An empty part of me began to fill up as his gorgeous lips moved over mine, and a radiating buzzing spread throughout my body, beginning at my core and flowing all the way to the ends of my being.
I didn’t know how to react to this. I’d never kissed anyone before. Never cared to. Men were too much work. But by the gods, Ethan. I wanted to fall inside of him and soar forever. This kiss felt like a flawless jump performed on the ice. It was better than a gold medal being placed around my neck after the perfect program. The kiss had every bit of the feeling of flying that skating gave me, but there was so much more behind it. I was surprised I didn’t grow wings. I couldn’t believe Ethan’s lips were against mine. His touch was fueled by so much passion… and unspoken words that were brought to light without ever being said.
As if by instinct, I relaxed, and my eyes closed. I leaned into the kiss and moved my hands over his chest as the affection deepened. Ethan dared to drift his hands downward so they settled on my hips, but gods, I wanted more. Like, take-my-panties-off-now more.
I decided to take things up a notch. I lightly bit his lower lip before I glided the tip of my tongue against his. Ethan let out a moan, as if that one little motion drove him insane. He came closer and pressed his hips against mine.
I felt something brush up against my leg, and I realized… he had a freaking hard-on. Like, bad. It was so intense that I could feel it through the layers of my skirt. I’d never felt a guy’s dick against me before, but just the sensation of Ethan rocking against my pelvis as we made out made me love it. All I wanted was for him to be in me, right then, right now.
But hell if it stopped there. My cloak slipped off as Ethan’s hands roamed over my bare shoulders. He deepened the kiss and pushed his tongue further inside of my mouth. I accepted his offering and groaned. It seemed involuntary when I fisted my hands inside his hair and yanked his head back. I kissed him like this would be the last time. If all I had was this kiss forever, it wouldn’t be enough. I needed to drink from this river of pleasure every day. Our chemistry was like some kind of drug, taking control of my mind and intoxicating every part of me until I could hardly stand to breathe.
Oh, gods. Please, touch my boobs.
I grabbed Ethan’s hands and tried to put them over my breasts. But the moment I did that, it was like the spell ended. He broke the kiss and jumped back, taking a few quick breaths. His hair was wild, due to me messing it up, and the look in his eyes were panicked… like he couldn’t believe he’d just done what he did.
Well, at least the question if he found me attractive was solved. I thought I didn’t float his boat at all, but I turned out to be completely wrong.
I’d believed we’d never have sex. Now I was thinking my virginity wouldn’t last till morning.
Ethan cleared his throat. “You… we should get to bed.”
“What are you referring to?” I dared to ask. Ethan reddened a deep scarlet.
He managed to choke out, “We need sleep for tomorrow. It’s already late.”
Ethan took my hand. Our fingers intertwined as we entered the school and climbed the staircase back to the dormitories. My head was freaking spinning, and I needed to change my underwear. I could barely breathe. That kiss had been the most incredible thing I’d ever experienced. All I was thinking about was when we’d get to make out again.
Ethan stood at the entrance to my dorm and gave my hand a squeeze before letting go. His eyes locked on my face. “Goodnight, Emma.”
Like the wolf he was, Ethan silently swept away and vanished. I was left paralyzed, the feeling of his roaming hands all over my body still caressing me like a phantom.
I didn’t understand how I could fall for two people. But I did know one thing.
Prince Ethan was officially crazy. And I was officially in love with him.
Chapter Twenty-One
Ethan
The day of the Contest was finally here, and I hadn’t gotten a lick of sleep the night before. I’d been too busy tossing and turning as I recalled what it felt like to have Emma’s lips on mine.
I’d never kissed anyone like that before. The experience wasn’t something I could put into words. It was all feelings and instinct. When my mouth was on hers, I felt like an animal. A powerful beast who wanted nothing more than to stake my claim and take her with an eager thirst.
And make her enjoy every second of the process.
It was improper, it was crude, and I loved it. That kiss was all wolf. It was a longing need. Enough to make my instincts go crazy. I hated to admit I’d done some not-so-mentionable things well after turning in for the night. Several times. Yet it wasn’t enough to satisfy the need. When she’d put my hands on her breasts— so cruel. It was enough to make a grown man fall to his knees.
My body craved Emma’s.
But I couldn’t have her. Not yet. There was business to attend to— and if I didn’t pay attention, Emma and I would never get our chance to be together before our lives were taken by the Contest. Sex, unfortunately, would have to wait.
Early that morning Emma and I had been escorted to the tourney area. There was a wooden arena outside of the city where the Contest would be held. Beyond that were multiple tents for the contestants and Contest officials.
We didn’t speak on the way to the tourney. Neither of us dared to mention the kiss last night. Both of us were acting like nothing ever happened— which was absolutely suffocating. I wanted to address things, but now wasn’t the time. Our minds had to be focused on survival.
As contestants, Emma and I had gotten our own tent. There was a bed for rest, a table, chairs and pillows, along with trunks for our things and carpets lining the ground. A changing screen lined the back of the tent. When we arrived, we saw two hunks of metal sitting on the table, along with clothes in navy and black. Embroidered on the clothes was a wolf’s head emblem against a checkered background. Our tourney flag and colors.
“What’s this?” Emma asked.
“Armor for the Contest,” I told her. “You’re going to need it.”
Emma glanced at me. I was certain we were both thinking the same thing. I had no problem stripping in front of Emma whatsoever… except for one small caveat. I didn’t want her to see my missing leg. Or my prosthetic.
Emma sensed that I didn’t want her to see me change, and I was pretty sure she didn’t want my eyes all over her naked body… not at the moment, anyway. Cumbersomely, she picked up her armor and tourney colors and went behind the screen. I busied myself with putting on my own gear and tried not to imagine what her breasts looked like, which was pretty much impossible.
When she emerged from the screen, both of us were fully armored and ready to begin the tourney. She’d tied her red hair back in a complicated braid that would remain secure during the contest. A few feathers had been woven into the strands, as was Arcanean tradition.
I opened a wooden chest and pulled out a small jar. I opened it to reveal a black substance, and began smudging it upon her skin. I made a pattern so that it looked like wings had created a mask around her eyes.
“What is it?” Emma asked.
“War paint,” I said. I stepped back with a smile, then led her to a mirror. “Now you look like a real Arcanea.”
“I look like a pagan hooligan,” she replied sourly.
“That’s the idea.”
Emma turned her face a few times in observance, then smiled. “I like it. It makes me seem fierce.”
I stood beside her, and both of us gazed into the mirror. The two of us appeared like we’d stepped back in time.
“So how is this thing gonna go?” Emma asked. “Please tell me it only takes one day.”
“There are four tasks total, four rounds,” I said. “Out of the sixteen contestants, eight are eliminated in the first round. In the second round, two more are eliminated, and in the third one, two more after that. Only four contestants— two pairs— are left for the last round.”
“What are the tasks?”
“The first one is the joust— yes, exactly what you’re thinking of,” I said as she blinked. “You’ll ride on my back and try to knock the other sorceress off her shifter. It’s the best of three. Once you get them down twice, the objective is to make them tap out during a duel.”
“Or?”
“Or finish them off. If the other pair kills their opponent, even if they lost the two out of three, they’ll still technically win. If we lose the joust, we’re immediately out of the competition,” I said.
“Okay…” Emma said slowly. “How about round two?”
“Round Two is a race. It’s an obstacle course of sorts, where you gain points by hitting targets while trying not to get killed,” I said. “Whoever has the most points and finishes in a decent placing gets to go on. If you’re in the last two placings, you’re eliminated.”
“And Round Three?” Emma asked.
“Three is always kept secret,” I said. “The judges don’t want the contestants to know what the trial is. But it almost always involves some sort of monster.”
Emma chewed her lip as she thought. “What’s the last round?” she asked.
“It’s a challenge by combat. A duel between the last four contestants. We’ll fight until the other pair is killed, or surrenders,” I said. If we make it that far.
“I’m guessing whoever wins the duel is crowned winner?”
“Correct.”
Emma’s expression hardened. “Okay. Let’s do this thing.”
“Are you sure you’re ready to risk your life?” I asked. Because I wasn’t willing to risk hers. The other contestants were going to have to kill me before I’d submit, but if Emma’s life was threatened, it wouldn’t be that easy for me to fight back. I’d probably give in.
“I wouldn’t have said yes just to back out now,” Emma replied. “Time to show them what we’ve got.”
That was the spirit. “One last thing.” I ventured to the other side of the room, where a long rectangular chest had been laid out. I opened it and unleashed a sword from inside. The blade was double-edged, with a silver hilt that had one of the royal sapphires set into it. Designs of running wolves had been tediously etched into both sides of the blade’s surface. It was very light, as I knew Emma grew fatigued easily, so I wanted her to have no trouble carrying it. The entire length was no more than three feet long, and simple to handle. It was the kind of sword I’d seen her use during class and learn how to brandish easily.
“What’s that?” Emma’s eyes grew wide as I approached. I held the sword out at arm’s length, offering it up to her.
“It’s a sword. You’ll need it for the tourney. I forged it for you during class.” I was glad I’d found a good use for my project.
Her mouth opened slightly. “You made this… for me?”
“Of course I did. You’re my mate. It’s customary for a potential king to present his sorceress a weapon before the tourney begins.”
Emma’s hand raised. She paused, and said, “You started making this for me long before I said yes.”
I felt blood rush to my cheeks, and admitted, “Yes. Perhaps I did.”
I extended the blade to her. She took the hilt from my gloved hand. She did a few experimental swings with it before her face brightened. “I like this. It fits perfectly.”
I gave her a smile. “You’ll need to christen it with a name before we begin. It’s good luck.”
“What are the Malovian words for ice and storm?” she asked.
“Ice and storm? Hm. That’d be lod and burzan, respectively.”
“Okay then. Lodburzan it is,” she replied. “Icestorm.”
She glanced at me. “Did I do that right?”
I laughed. “You did fine. It doesn’t need to be complicated.”
I grabbed the sheath. My arms wrapped around her waist as I buckled it around her hips. Emma’s breath hitched. I could smell her blood as it pumped faster through her bloodstream. In response, my dick tightened in my pants.
With all the work we did getting this armor on, no way it was coming off… no matter how badly I wanted it to.
Emma slid Lozburzan into its sheath and turned to me. “I’m ready. Let’s get this thing over with.”
I was more than happy to oblige. The sunlight hit our faces as we left the tent. The temperature was mild, though a light snow was falling delicately from the clouds above. Our friends were waiting for us in the stands— they’d been assigned special seating as our court.
Emma and I walked through the tents and to the Field. It was a gigantic wooden structure over three hundred feet tall and seven hundred feet long, and open to the elements. Twenty thousand people were sitting in the stands today. The rest of Dolinska was sitting in their homes, watching the broadcast live.
The other competitors were gathered outside t
he Field, waiting to go inside. Everyone was wearing armor, like us, and stood speaking with the officials and their sponsors for the tournament. Lord Lucien was waiting for us at the gate.
“There you two are,” he said in a relieved tone. “You were the last to show up. I was afraid you weren’t coming.”
“Shouldn’t have worried,” Emma said. She was ridiculously pale. I was afraid she was going to pass out.
Lucien gave her a grim smile, and said, “Courage, dzika. You’ll do well. I’m sure of it.”
He walked off to talk to an official. Emma leaned in. “What exactly did he call me?”
“He called you my child. It’s a common blessing in Malovian, for protection,” I informed her.
Emma swallowed and squeaked, “Great.”
Elijah and Gabby were sending us harsh sneers, as normal. Both of them were dressed in black armor, and had used so much war paint over their eyes I was shocked they could see.
At the sight of Gabby, Emma’s lip curled and she seemed to buck up a bit. The color returned to her face, and a sharpness like steel came into her eyes as she turned her back on them.
“Someone’s tense this morning,” I remarked under my breath as Elijah shot me the finger behind an official’s back.
“I’d rather die than see that snobby bitch get the crown,” Emma hissed. “Even if we don’t win, we make sure they don’t, either.”
“Agreed.”
Just then, Steward Soloman came forward. He raised his hands, and all conversation fell silent. “We’ll be drawing the order for the competition, as well as the match-ups for the joust. Gentlemen, please come forward and take a number.”
An official held out a velvet bag for us to draw from. Elijah shoved his way to the front and went first. I got in line and ended up taking the last number from the bag.
The numbers were etched onto antler fragments from deer. I turned the fragment over in my hand and read the number on the front. Number eight. Emma and I were going last. Splendid, as usual.
I looked around for who our opponent was, which would be number seven. My stomach sank when I saw it sat in the palm of a giant shifter, Romari Zajac. He was a dragon, and a senior. His mate, Ada, was an advanced sorceress. She hadn’t even brought a sword because she was so confident in the power of her magic. What tough luck.