Page 29 of Pyne

“And the winner of the Cosmic Confections Competition is…”

My heart pounds so loudly I hear it in my ears, my grip on Becca’s good hand tightening. This is it. The moment of truth. Everything we’ve fought for, everything we’ve dreamed of, hanging in the balance. Winning this is the only way she’ll earn her freedom. The only way we’ll be able to leave his planet together.

“…the Iridian team, with their stunning recreation of the Iridian Winter Solstice Celebration!”

The words hit me like a physical blow, the air rushing from my lungs in a harsh gasp. Beside me, Becca goes rigid, her face draining of color. Second place. We came in second. So close, and yet…

“In second place,” Arisha continues, her voice a distant buzz in my ears, “the Galactic Love Muffins, with their touching and delicious tribute to the bonds of family and home.”

I barely register the smattering of applause, the looks of sympathy and admiration from the other contestants. While I’m happy for Lyriax and his mate after facing a fight to the death in the arena, all I can feel is the crushing weight of defeat, the knowledge that despite everything, despite how far we’ve come… it wasn’t enough.

Becca turns to me, her eyes bright with unshed tears. “Pyne, I’m so sorry,” she whispers, her voice breaking. “You were amazing. You did everything you could. It was an honor to watch you, how hard you’ve tried. How far you’ve come. This isn’t your fault.”

I don’t give adrackabout not winning the purse. Is this amazing female trying to soothe my emotions when she just lost her bid at freedom?

Shaking my head, I draw her into my arms. “No, Becca. This isn’t on you. We did this together, every step of the way. But I’ve failed you.”

She clings to me, her face buried in my chest. “No. You did your best. But my freedom… Pyne, what are we going to do?” Her voice gives everything away. She’s on the razor’s edge of weeping in front of everyone. I don’t blame her.

As I stroke her hair, my mind races with possibilities. There must be a way, some path we haven’t considered. I refuse to accept that this is the end, that our dream of a life together is forever out of reach.

“We’ll find a way, sugarplum,” I murmur, pressing a kiss to her temple. “I promise you, I won’t rest until you’re free. Even if I have to move the heavens or agree to a pact with the devil, I’ll make it happen. You have my word.”

She nods, drawing in a shaky breath. “Of course you’ll try, Pyne. I trust you. I… I love you.”

The words hang in the air between us, a declaration and a promise all in one. My heart swells with emotion, with the fierce, unshakable certainty that this woman, this brilliant, brave, beautiful soul, is everything I’ve ever wanted and more.

“I love you too, Becca,” I whisper, the truth of it ringing in every syllable. “More than anything in this galaxy or the next. And I won’t let anything, not Arisha, not the entire Cryosyne species, not the whole damn universe, keep us apart. We’ll find a way.”

She smiles then, a small, watery thing that warms me to my core. “Together.” Her hand finds mine once more. “Always.”

But she doesn’t mean it. We both know she’s lost her one chance. My fervent vows were simply flimsy lies—I don’t have the slightest idea of how to make this better and if I can’t figure it out, it will crush both of our souls.

Chapter Twenty-Three

Becca

I’m surprised Arisha lived up to her end of the deal. She promised him fifty thousand credits, win or lose, and she came through. Despair crashes over me in relentless waves as I watch Pyne receive his hard-earned prize money. The glitter and glam of the competition fade away, leaving only the cold, harsh reality of my situation.

I’m a slave, bound to the kitchens of this very hotel, and no amount of baking ability or heart-wrenching romance can change that. Soon, Pyne will return to his comrades and he’ll slip back into his old life—and I’ll return to a life of drudgery. For a moment, I almost asked him to stay on Cryosene so we could be together, but what kind of life would that be for him?

I’m a slave, bound to live in the barracks under the parking garage. How often would my master allow me to see him? It would just make us both more miserable knowing the other was only a few blocks away, yet our time together would be so limited. If he offers to stay here, I’ll use all my force of will to tell him I won’t allow it. At least one of us deserves to have a good life. He’s certainly earned it.

At least I’ll have the memories of what we’ve shared. The look of affection in those gorgeous blue eyes, the warmth of his hand on the small of my back, the heights of bliss he shared with me in bed. I’ll always have that. And that he cares for me, that he seems shattered that he can’t buy me and take me with him? I’ll hold onto that cherished memory for the rest of my life.

I take a deep, shuddering breath, ordering myself to hold back the hot tears forming at the back of my eyes. I can’t break down, not here, not now. Strong. I must stay strong, to maintain my self-control until I’m back in the familiar confines of the kitchen, hidden away from prying eyes and pitying glances.

Just as Pyne is about to pocket his winnings, a familiar figure strides into the room—Gorgax, my kitchen manager. His four beady eyes rake over me, a cruel smile twisting his lips. “Time to get back to your station. Assistant to the assistant head baker,” he sneers, his gaze darting to Pyne’s fat purse with undisguised greed.

Confusion furrows my brow as I turn to Gorgax, my voice trembling despite my best efforts. “But… but Arisha said I was valuable, that my skills were worth a fortune. She told Pyne she couldn’t part with me for less than a king’s ransom. Why would she say that if I’m the lowest ranked baker on staff?”

Gorgax throws his head back and laughs, the sound grating and harsh in the suddenly silent room. “You naïve little fool,” he spits, his eyes glinting with malice. “Arisha lied. She just needed to keep you and your gladiator in the game, to milk the ratings for all they were worth. You’re nothing special, just another slave to be worked until you’re used up and discarded.”

The words hit me like a physical blow as my thoughts spin with this new knowledge. I sway on my feet as the true depth of Arisha’s deception sinks in. It was all a lie, a cruel manipulation designed to keep us dancing to her tune. I wonder in how many other ways this competition was rigged.

Before I can fully process the shock, Pyne is at my side, his arm slipping around my waist in a gesture of comfort and support. He must have heard our conversation, because his eyes blaze with righteous anger as he faces down Gorgax, his voice low and dangerous. “How much?”

Gorgax blinks, taken aback by the suddenness of the question. “What?”

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