When I was ten feet from the edge of the arena, students turned their attention to me and whispered. Even the angel legion looked up from their knees to gape at my appearance.
Half of my chest was exposed, and what was left of my pants was hanging dangerously low on my hips.
I pulled my shoulders back.
Yes, my tit was out.
Yes, my feet were throbbing.
I lifted the corner of my mouth in a smirk.
From their expressions you’d think people had never seen a nipple before.
I stared straight back at them.
It wasn’t that deep.
I wasn’t the one on my knees convulsing, after all. I was walking of my own free will. Kind of.
“I just want to say,” Xerxes said quietly so only I could hear, “I’m really sorry about the role I played in your abduction. I never apologized for serving her. I was a coward.”
I licked my cracked lips and tasted copper. “Don’t mention it.”
“No, I really think we—”
“Please,” I cut him off. “Please don’t mention it. We’re good.”
Sun god, were all the shifter men this in tune with their emotions? I’d clearly been around the kings too much because I was having a lot of secondhand embarrassment from him.
Dr. Palmer would just love him.
Who talked about their feelings?
Xerxes nodded and changed the subject. “Right foot forward. You’re close.”
I hobbled forward.
Finally, we walked side by side between two of the towering posts that demarcated the edge of the arena.
We finished.
Lothaire’s voice boomed, and there was an edge of excitement in it. “The fourth competition is concluded. The two legions chosen for the showcase test will be announced tomorrow. The gods will discuss.”
A few feet away, Lyla walked out of the concrete structure and glanced over.
Runes shimmered against her dark skin, and her green hair glowed neon. The tiniest smile curled up one side of her mouth.
I didn’t smile back.
Dick and Lothaire walked out behind her, and Lyla’s expression went flat.
The three of them stepped forward onto an enchanted platform, and they levitated into the air.
My eyelid twitched.
This was why people bullied theater kids. They grew up to do stuff like that.
“Why do they need to float in the air to discuss it?” I muttered.