Page 16 of Pyne

My arm is around Becca’s waist, and I feel her muscles tighten. Whatever Arisha is about to announce isn’t going to be good.

“The rules state that partners share a room. That hasn’t changed. Have a good evening.”

With that, Arisha approaches the door, surrounded by her staff. It’s a smart move, considering there probably isn’t a person in this room who doesn’t want to murder her right now.

“Wait!” I bellow, stepping forward, my fists clenched. “You can’t do this! Becca needs to stay with me. She won’t be safe with that… that monster!”

Arisha turns, leveling me with a cold, calculating stare. “The decision is final, Pyne. Unless you wish to be disqualified from the competition, I suggest you accept your new partner graciously.”

I open my mouth to argue further, but Becca’s gentle pat on my arm stops me.

“Pyne, don’t,” she whispers, her voice trembling slightly. “We can’t risk losing the competition over this. We’ll find a way to make it work somehow.”

The defeat in her eyes breaks my heart, but I know she’s right. If it weren’t for Becca, I’d already consider this competition a win. Arisha told me I’d earned my purse just for being on the program. I’ve already earned the credits I came for, but Becca’s freedom hangs in the balance. I need to ignore my feelings and honor Becca’s wishes.

Pulling back just enough to cup her face in my hands, my thumbs brush away the tears spilling down her cheeks. My heart clenches as I try to memorize every detail before we’re torn apart. The soft curve of her lips, the flecks of gold in her brown eyes, the way her hair falls in gentle waves around her face.

I want to promise her that everything will be alright, that I’ll keep her safe no matter what. But I know better than to make promises I can’t keep, especially in a twisted game like this. Instead, I reach into my boot and pull out the knife I’ve carried, hidden, since I left my phaeton.

Pressing the hilt into her palm, I curl her fingers around it, my gaze locked on hers.

“Take this. I know you’re strong, stronger than you give yourself credit for. I hope you won’t need it, but now you have a way to defend yourself, just in case.”

Becca’s eyes widen as she feels the weight of the knife in her hand, but she nods, a flicker of determination sparking in her gaze.

“I won’t let Klsp intimidate me, Pyne. I’ll do whatever it takes to stay safe.”

As I give her a supportive nod, my throat tightens with emotion.

“Yes. You will, sugarplum. You’re a fighter, just like me. We’ll get through this, one challenge at a time. And when it’s all over, when you’re finally free, I’ll spend every moment making sure you never have to fight for anything ever again.”

Becca surges forward, capturing my lips in a searing kiss that says everything we don’t have time to put into words. I pour every ounce of my affection into this kiss, letting it sear into my memory like a brand as I tuck her close.

When we finally break apart, breathless and trembling, I rest my forehead against hers, savoring one last moment of closeness before the chaos descends.

“Stay sharp, stay safe, and don’t let that scaly bastard get under your skin. You’re the Love Muffin Queen, remember? Show him what you’re made of.”

Becca laughs, a watery but genuine sound that eases some of the tension in my chest. “And you, gladiator, don’t go falling for M’berra’s feline wiles. Remember who your real partner is.” She pauses a moment, then the gold in her eyes sparks like the sunrise as she adds, “Both in baking and in bed.”

I grin, nipping playfully at her bottom lip. “As if I could ever forget, sugarplum. You’re the only sweet treat I crave.”

With one last lingering caress, we force ourselves to step back, to put on a brave face as we turn to meet our new partners. Klsp leers at Becca with undisguised hunger, his tongue flicking out obscenely.

M’berra slinks to my side with a predatory grace that sets my teeth on edge. But instead of allowing myself to be led away, I hold up a hand, stopping the feline in her tracks. “Excuse me, M’berra. I need a word with Arisha.”

Ignoring the irritated flick of M’berra’s tail, I stride purposefully toward Arisha who must be having so much fun watching our misery that she hasn’t left yet. My mind is racing with the sudden realization. Why didn’t I do this days ago? As a member of the Galaxy Gladiators, I’ve accumulated a fair amount ofcredits. Surely, that must be enough to buy Becca’s freedom and put an end to this madness.

Arisha raises a perfectly groomed eyebrow as I approach, her lips curling into a smirk. “Something on your mind, gladiator? Don’t tell me you’re having second thoughts about your new partner already.”

I take a deep breath, steeling myself for the negotiation ahead. “I want to buy Becca’s freedom. Name your price. I’ll pay it.”

Arisha’s smirk falters for a moment, replaced by a flicker of surprise. “I’m afraid Becca is out of your price range, gladiator. Her value as a contestant on this show far exceeds any credits you might have saved up.”

I refuse to back down, my resolve only strengthening in the face of her dismissal. “I’ll give you whatever it takes. My savings, the purse you’ve already promised me for the bake-off, and if that’s not enough, I’m sure my captain will give me an advance. Just tell me what you require to set Becca free.”

For a long moment, Arisha studies me, her eyes calculating as she weighs my offer. Just as a glimmer of hope sparks inside me, she shakes her head, her expression hardening.

“I’m sorry, Pyne, but I can’t accept your proposal. You and Becca are viewer favorites, and if I let you buy her out, I know you’ll both quit the show. We simply can’t have that, now, can we?”

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