Page 67 of Hallowed Games

Maelor stood before me, his eyes downcast as he lifted the chalice to my lips. His long eyelashes cast shadows against his cheekbones.

My chest ached. I’d used him for information, and now he didn’t even want to look at me.

The moment I sipped from the chalice, my thoughts started to cloud. An intoxicating, ghostly music swelled in the air around me, but I knew I was imagining it. There were no instruments anywhere in sight.

I turned, catching Godric’s eye. “I hear the most beautiful music,” I whispered.

He smiled at me, his eyes bright. “So do I. I’m writing this down when we get out of the trials. A dream song of light and dark…” His voice trailed off.

As if from a distance, I heard Sion give us the order to light our candles as we crossed inside the garden.

I followed behind Percival, watching as he touched his candle’s wick to the wavering torch. Fear coiled through my chest as I lit mine. The moment the flame snuffed out, so would my life.

I cupped my hand around the flickering candle, shielding it from the breeze. As I stepped into the garden, I took in the wild, untamed beauty. Pinpricks of white light meandered around the paths as the Penitents held their candles, wandering in a daze.

I could see that once, this cloister garden must have been glorious. Vast and rambling, it stretched between distant stone walls. Gnarled trees twisted into the air, and crumbling statues stood faceless, fingerless among the briars. This garden was like a labyrinth of its own, one of overgrown paths and faded grandeur.

And soon, many of us would be lying dead among the thorn bushes. Still, the potion was warming me up from the inside, and I didn’t feel as much dread as I should have.

I glanced at Godric. From under his cowl, he giggled at me. He wandered off, shielding his candle from the breeze.

Moss had grown over the rocky paths, softening their edges, blending them into the green. From between the stones, grass and weeds straggled into the air.

My gaze flicked to an armed Luminarus lurking in one of the shadows. A cold blade of clarity pierced me for a moment. The Luminarus had nocked an arrow in his bow, ready to shoot down the first person who let their candle die.

I backed up into a curved, stony alcove by one of the garden’s edges—a good spot to shield my candle. I should be scared, but bliss dulled my fear. I was alive, wasn’t I? In a daze, I stared at a crumbling fountain nearby, the basin full of rainwater and fallen leaves.

We were supposed to be doing something here…riddles. Where, exactly, did the riddles come from?

The garden’s scent coiled around me—the musky soil, swollen with rain, and the delicate perfume of violets and primroses. My body felt soft and heavy. I leaned back against the curved stone wall, and the dew from the leaves dampened my hair. I let my eyes close. I was at one with the garden.

When I opened them again, the world beamed with buttery light around me. Ripe fruits hung from the trees—scarlet pomegranates made my mouth water, bright and round as blood drops. My eyes closed again, and this time, when they opened, night had fallen. Above, stars glittered in the sky, and a perfumed scent wrapped around me.

The candle.

Were those the temptations? I could resist a little fruit.

But in the next heartbeat, Maelor emerged from the darkness, as if formed from the shadows.

Ah. There was the temptation.

CHAPTER 31

Shadows slid over him, and his eyes glinted with desire. Already, my body was heating with the memory of his hands on me. The way he told me he wanted me as his to command…

His gaze slid down to my mouth, and he brushed his thumb over my lower lip.

Warmth crept over my cheeks, and my breath shallowed. “Something making you nervous?” Maelor murmured. “Do you finally understand what I am?”

My heartbeat pounded so hard, I was sure he could hear it. I kissed his thumb, and his eyes darkened. Heat radiated through the air. Just being this close to him made my skin feel alive, craving his touch. His dark shadows were licking at my skin under the cloak.

When I looked up at him, I felt like he could see right into my soul. He could read in my eyes how much I wanted him. Maelor’s seductive beauty was a sharp blade, ready to carve me open.

I wanted the heavy cloak off me.

I licked my lips. “Deus Invictus, Archon Magne.”

“I need you to answer something for me.” He leaned in closer, whispering, “What sister of the sun rules the night?”

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