Page 24 of Pyne

“Mercy. Mercy. Mercy.”

Arisha’s gaze burns into me. If her eyes could shoot laser beams, I’d be dead on the sand by now. I watch as her expression changes from murderous anger to acceptance.

“Very well,” she says at last, her voice icy, her lavender eyes blazing with fury. “You’ve made your point, Pyne. You may have your human back. In fact, everyone will go back to their original partners. But don’t think this is over. You’ve just made an enemy of a powerful person.”

I nod, my shoulders squared. “I’ll take my chances.”

With that, I turn and walk away, Lyriax at my side. The crowd cheers. I’ve manipulated them into demanding something that, only moments earlier, they hadn’t wanted. The Iridian and I make our way out of the arena and up the stone steps into the stands.

My heart is racing, my skin slick with sweat and coated with sand. But I feel lighter than I have in days as the weight of Arisha’s twisted game finally lifts from my shoulders.

My need to hold Becca in my arms doubles with each stride as I take the steps two at a time. The joyous roar of the crowd fades behind me, replaced by the singular focus of reaching my female.

And then I see her hurrying toward me, her hair flying behind her like a banner. Klst stands, snarling, his fists clenched in impotent rage as he watches her run to my side. Becca crashes into my arms, and I catch her, holding her tight against my chest. Her scent envelops me, sweet and familiar, and for a moment, everything else falls away.

“I was so worried,” she whispers, her face pressed against my neck. “When I saw you out there, unarmed, facing that sword…”

Stroking her hair, I marvel at its softness beneath my callused fingers. “I know. I’m sorry I scared you. But I had to do it, Becca. It was the price I had to pay to get back to you.”

She pulls back, her eyes shining with unshed tears, her brow still pleated with worry. “I’m so proud of you, Pyne. The way you stood up to Arisha, the way you refused to play her game… it was…” She shakes her head, overcome with emotion. “So proud.”

I cup her face in my hands, brushing my thumbs over her cheekbones. “I couldn’t have done it without you, Becca. Knowing you were here, waiting for me… it gave me the strength to do what I had to do.”

I pull her close again, savoring the feel of her in my arms. I know there will be consequences, that Arisha won’t let this go easily. But for now, all that matters is that Becca is safe, and I found a way to accomplish that without selling my soul.

Chapter Twenty

Pyne

Adrenaline still thrums through my veins as I make my way to our room, Becca’s hand warm and solid in mine. My mind is a whirl of emotions: relief, gratitude, and a fierce, aching tenderness that threatens to overwhelm me every time I look at her.

She’s here. She’s safe. And although we have little more than a standard hour’s break before the baking challenge, I’m determined to hold her, reassure her, and reconnect.

As the door closes behind us and we’re finally, blessedly alone, the weight of what we’ve just been through hits us both at once. Becca turns to me, her eyes wide and filled with grief, I gather her in my arms, holding her so tightly I worry I’ll crush her.

“I thought I was going to lose you,” she whispers. “When Arisha said it was a fight to the death, I… couldn’t breathe.” She presses her face against my chest and heaves a sigh. “When you stood in that arena, unarmed, against that Iridian holding that deadly sword, the depth of my feelings for you became even more clear.”

As I slide my knuckles down her cheek, it strikes me how soft and vulnerable she is. “I’m here, Becca. I’m not going anywhere. Not without you.”

Cupping her face in my hands, my thumbs brush the delicate curve of her cheekbone. “I was the one standing in the arena, but knowing you were there, believing in me, counting on me… it gave me strength.”

She leans into my touch, her eyes fluttering closed for a moment. “I’ll always believe in you, Pyne. No matter what.”

Words catch in my throat, thick with emotion. “Becca, I… I know we’ve only known each other such a short time, but I can’t imagine my life without you in it. When this is over, when we’re free… I want…”

I trail off, suddenly unsure. We’ve never spoken of the future, of what will happen after the competition. But the thought of being parted from her, of returning to a life without her light, her warmth… it’s unthinkable. I’d thought what I had with the gladiators on thePlaygroundwas enough, but it was like the light of a candle compared to the sun. What I’ve found with Becca is… everything.

Becca’s eyes open, locking with mine. “I want to be with you, too, Pyne. More than anything. But…”

She can’t bring herself to say it. I guess I must.

“But if we don’t win, I’m not sure how to buy your freedom. Arisha told me I’d never be able to afford you.”

Her eyes widen in surprise. “You tried to buy me?”

“Yes. When I leave Cryosyne, I want to provide you with manumission papers, to take you with me as a free female.”

“Oh, Pyne, I want that, too.” Her expression clouding. “But if we don’t win, there’s no hope of being together after the Bake Off ends?”

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