Page 15 of Pyne

He nods, his jaw clenched. “Agreed. But we also can’t stoop to their level. Let’s focus on making our garrison the best it can be and let the judges take care of the other team’s misbehavior.”

We redouble our efforts, and soon our Galactic Glingonbread Garrison is taking shape. The walls are studded with glittering stars and delicate, lacy patterns of frosting that remind me of snowflakes. Pyne has built a series of turrets and towers thatlook like something out of a fairy tale, and the whole thing is topped with a shimmering sugar dome that catches the light and reflects it in a diamond-like shimmer.

As we step back to admire our work, I breathe in the mingled scents of spice and sugar, feeling a warm glow of pride. It may not be a traditional Christmas, but working side by side with Pyne, creating something beautiful and delicious, fills me with the same sense of joy and connection I felt with family and friends back home.

The judges make their rounds, tasting and examining each garrison. When they reach the Saurians’ creation and I inspect it for the first time since they’ve finished, I can’t help but gasp. It’s a twisted, nightmarish thing, all jagged spines and leering gargoyles, more prison than fortress.

But as the judges move on to our garrison, their expressions change to ones of delight and wonder. They marvel at the intricate details, the clever use of candy adornments, and when they taste a piece of the spice cake, their eyes close in bliss.

“The flavors are perfectly balanced,” one judge declares. “The Zorgellian spices meld seamlessly with the sweetness of the Meeponian sugar. It’s like a symphony of taste.”

“And the construction is impeccable,” another adds. “This garrison looks like it could withstand an assault from an army of sweet-toothed invaders.”

In the end, it’s no contest. Our Galactic Glingonbread Garrison is declared the winner, and Pyne sweeps me up in a hug, spinning me around in a giddy circle.

“We did it, Becca!” he whoops. “We showed those Saurians what real baking is all about!”

I laugh at my big, strong gladiator’s elation at a baking creation. My mirth is soon replaced with arousal as the warmth of his embrace seeps into my bones. “We make a good team, Candy Cane.”

As we bask in the glow of our victory, I catch a glimpse of the Saurians, their faces twisted with envy and resentment. A shiver runs down my spine, and I can’t shake the feeling that this is only the beginning of their hatred.

But for now, I push those thoughts aside and let myself savor the moment. The sweet taste of success, the joy of creation, and the growing bond between Pyne and me—it’s the stuff that holiday magic is made of, and I wouldn’t trade it for all the first-place ribbons in the galaxy—although I sure would like to earn my freedom.

Chapter Twelve

Pyne

As Becca and I bask in the afterglow of our hard-fought victory and prepare to leave the baking arena for the day, Arisha’s voice cuts through the celebratory chatter like a knife.

“Attention, contestants! I have a thrilling announcement that will shake up the competition and keep our viewers on the edge of their seats!”

A knot forms in my stomach as I instinctively pull Becca closer, my tail curling protectively around her waist. Whatever twist Arisha has in store, the gleeful expression on her sadistic face hints that it won’t bode well for us.

“Starting immediately, we’re going to break up the existing teams and pair you off with new partners!” Arisha declares, hereyes glinting with mischief. “Don’t worry about your points. Our crack team of accountants has devised a system to keep your original scores intact while assigning new points in this exciting new scheme!”

Murmurs of shock and disbelief ripple through the assembled teams as well as the live audience. Becca stiffens beside me, her hand gripping mine like a lifeline. I give her a reassuring squeeze, silently vowing to fight to stay by her side. But as Arisha rattles off the new pairings, my heart plummets.

“Beckon, you’ll be teaming up with the male Saurian, Klsp. And Pyne, you’ll be partnered with the female feline, M’berra.”

Becca’s face pales, her eyes widening with undisguised terror. The male Saurian leers at her from across the cooking arena, his forked tongue flicking through lips flecked with saliva.

I can practically smell the fear rolling off Becca in waves, and it takes every ounce of my self-control not to lunge at the scaly bastard and rip his throat out.

I knew I was growing attached to Becca, but the feelings racing through me signal how serious my connection with her is. My desperate need to protect her is so deep, wide, and profound that I imagine it couldn’t be less than what fated mates experience.

“Shit, Pyne. Working with him is going to be horrible. We’ve watched him. He doesn’t know how to play nice. And look at how he’s leering at me.”

I trained as a gladiator since I was nine and know dozens of ways to kill with my bare hands. It’s taking all my self-control not to leap the distance separating us and tear his lecherous, forked tongue out of his mouth.

Instead, I order myself to breathe as my fists clench and unclench at my sides.

“He’s not an idiot, Becca. He’s here for the purse, the same as all the others. He may be adrackerbut he won’t sabotage you.”

I’ll never know how I found the presence of mind to speak so calmly.

“You’re right. We’ll go back to our room, pick up where we left off this morning, and life will go on, although you’re the one who kept us afloat during the immunity challenges. I don’t know how I’ll fare with Klst as my partner. He’s an every-male-for-himself kind of guy.”

Amid grumbling, the existing teams stay together and head for the exit. Arisha interrupts us with a sharp, “Oh, and one more thing…”

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