Page 163 of Shadows in Bloom

“Yes, that’s right. Keep him on a leash,” Astor taunted, then, without sparing them another glance, he walked on.

Those next in line were not even worth looking at, Gaetans’ unbalanced facial features a thorn in Astor’s eye. He looked back at his fellow Novarians and rolled his eyes dramatically, making the first years chuckle. “I have no further comment,” he taunted. It was true. They’d deal with the Gaetans in the fighting pit.

Passing them slowly, his heart started pounding and that was all wrong.

Damaryans. There were only four of them, although their small army of green and metal uniforms stood behind them. For some reason that had been allowed by the board, although even this close, they looked harmless like this. There were three boys and one girl. Refusing his gaze, just like they had done when they’d made their entrance only hours ago, they stared stubbornly at something far away from him.

The Damaryans were taller than Astor had expected, the boys reaching his forehead, the girl coming up toward his shoulders. Astor was one of the tallest fighters Novar had, carrying the same height as his father.

“Well, well, well,” he mused, eyes raking their formidable features. They were an attractive people, even he had to admit it. Fascinating with their old ways, but beautiful. “I have to say, you’ve come a little late to the party. Five years, to be precise, though we’re happy you could make it. Lyssipos.” Cosmo touched his temples with both his fingertips, then left the line and swaggered his way forward. His cape flapped in the wind, exposing his clean-shaven, oiled chest. “Who would you like me to choose?” He took a step toward one of the Damaryan boys, who pinched his lips as he kept his gaze steady. Astor reached out for his chin, only to keep his finger lingering in the air, close enough for the boy to imagine feeling his touch. It was enough to make him flinch.

Cosmo chuckled.

The girl’s eyes were shiny with abiding tears, making them glitter like green stones. She didn’t flinch when Astor’s finger ghost-touched her skin, but he caught her trembling lip.

“This one?” He asked, knowing that his friend preferred boys.

“Hmm. What about that one?” Cosmo stopped a little further.

The rider.

He…his gaze found Illias. From this close, he looked younger than Astor had expected. The smooth skin of his face still had traces of a flush, though it did nothing to hide the freckles around his nose and cheek bone. Everything, from his golden mane to his liquid emerald eyes that curved slightly up on the edges, to the dark bushes of eyebrows and eyelashes that swirled around his eyes, meant otherworldly.

Beautiful. So beautiful.

He smelled different too. Leaning in, Astor made a show of sniffing him, pressing his nose onto the tiniest sliver of exposed skin, buried in the guy’s neck. The rest was all covered in green and metal. There was the definite hint of flower in his scent, a whisper of earth and honey with a hint of green and citrus. Taking in a sharp inhale, Astor let his mind scramble as he admired the boy’s pointy ears.

They definitely were an intriguing nation. Nothing like he had expected.

“Perhaps my friend should choose you?” Astor mumbled privately, a breathy chuckle escaping when he felt the guy tense.

“This one. I want this one,” Cosmo said and he pointed at the other guy.

Pulling back, Astor gave his friend a wide grin, then looked at the other boy, whose eyes had widened in shock as he kept his unwavering gaze focused on the horizon.

“So you shall have him.” Turning his back to the other three Damaryans, he touched both temples with his fingertips, ignoring the ridiculous relief that flooded through his veins. He wouldn’t have been able to refuse his friend, had he chosen Illias. Gazing at the shocked Damaryan, he grinned. “Welcome to House Novar.” Then he clasped a hand around Cosmo’s shoulder. “My friend here will take good care of you.”

CHAPTER 5

While the stands emptied with families who were heading toward the evening part of the festivities, there was a moment of hesitation in the arena. The air prickled with unease as the Damaryan finally jerked his gaze free from where it had roamed into the void.

“Very nice,” Cosmo chuckled, pulling on the boy’s shoulder so he’d break the line. He did, briefly stumbling forward and into Cosmo’s chest, before he corrected his stance with reddening cheeks. “Don’t you think, Lyssipos?”

Astor nodded, feeling Illias's anger pounding at his spine. “I do.” Looking up to the commenter, he raised his voice. “We have concluded the Nomos Doulos.” To the boy, he jutted his chin. “What’s your name?”

The Damaryan just glared in return, making Cosmo bark out a laugh.

“Oh, he’s going to ignore us. This is going to be fun.”

“Sisto.” Oreon barked. He too, broke the line, his neutral gaze only slightly showing the disapproval he clearly felt. “Let’s finish this in a decent manner. The board wishes to move on to the celebrations.”

Astor nodded. Oreon was right, per usual. They needed to get back to their quarters and get freshened up. It was custom to show their faces during tonight’s celebrations, as it would be the final time they’d see their families for a few months at least. “D’acc.” Turning around, he nodded at Illias, who was still ignoring him. His flushed cheeks and the rage in those green, molten glare gave him away though.

Beautiful.

“We’re leaving then. Say bye bye to your friend, you’ll have him back in two days.”

Novarians chuckled, but Astor’s eyes flashed when he caught sight of the stalling Gaetans. “What are you waiting for?” He snarled. “Go back. This is not your business.”

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