Page 28 of Rise of a Fallen Man

But he was hurt. And all because of me. I’d forced this on him. Once again, I’d stuck my nose into his life uninvited.

The games master spoke, popping the hazy bubble I’d found myself trapped in with Salas. “Her Highness kindly expressed concern for your well-being, Raeb.”

Raeb? He’d changed his name? It made sense. A gladiator was in the public eye far more often than a humble slave. A new name reduced the risk of someone from his past recognizing him.

“Her Highness is very kind.” He bowed his head.

His deep, rich voice descended into my chest with resonance throughout my entire being.

With all eyes on us now, I did my best to school my expression into something expected from a princess when meeting a stranger. Because in the eyes of everyone here, other than Gem, Salas was a complete stranger to me.

“I trust you’re feeling well?” My voice came out a little rough, despite my best efforts.

“Yes,” he matched my politely detached tone. “Thank you, Your Highness.”

“And the bear?”

“The bear?” His eyebrows rose in question.

“The bear is fine,” the games master chimed in. She then lowered her voice, speaking in an exaggerated whisper while hiding her mouth from the rest of the room behind her hand. “But please, let’s let the public believe that our Mountain Bear is capable of killing wild beasts with his bare hands. It adds thrill and enjoyment to people’s experience. After all, they’re paying the admission price, fully expecting to be deceived by the magic of the show.”

I nodded. “I believe your Mountain Bear is capable of squeezing the life out of any wild beast if he wanted to.”

“That he is.” The games master slid an appreciative glance down her newest gladiator’s powerful body. “He sure knows how to give bear hugs!” She laughed, slapping him on his healthy arm.

And now I was staring at his arms, too, remembering how good it felt to be inside his “bear hugs.” A swell of warmth washed over me with the memories, heating my face with blush.

The games master tipped her chin at the bandage on Salas’s arm. “The healing witch has sewn you back up, I see.”

“Yes. She did a great job.” He moved his left shoulder. “It almost feels fully healed already.”

I doubted it felt “fully healed.” No witch was that good. But the royal gladiators had access to the services of the most skilled healing professionals in the country. At least Salas was in good hands.

“Our witches are beyond comparison,” the games master boasted. “Her Majesty, Queen Anna, even allows us the use of her personal healing witch whenever needed.” She slid her arm under mine, gently but persistently leading me to the nearest couch. “It’s so kind of you to show concern for one of my boys, Your Highness. I know you don’t come here very often, and I highly appreciate your visit, but I assure you there is no need to worry. All my men and all our animals are absolutely fine.”

I allowed her to sit me on the couch, the skin on my back prickling with the awareness of Salas’s gaze on me.

The games master grabbed a glass of wine from the tray of a passing servant.

“Have a seat and enjoy the evening, Your Highness,” she murmured.

It was hard not to admire this woman’s dedication to the games. I believed she genuinely cared about her men, too, since they were what made the games possible in the first place. Salaswas taken care of. He looked well and smiled. There was no reason for me to linger around any longer.

Yet there I was, sitting on the couch, sipping the expensive wine that was undoubtedly a gift from one of the lady patrons. The crown provided the gladiators with everything they needed. But the court ladies supplied them with the luxury items beyond that, such as expensive cigars, fine wine, jewelry, and imported silks.

“May I suggest a handsome boy to keep you company, Your Highness?” the games master offered. “Sadly, our Mountain Bear is unavailable for another week. Rules are rules. But anyone else of my boys will be honored to spend the evening with you.”

The sensation of Salas’s gaze zapped through me like lightning. Sitting with my back to him, I couldn’t see him, but I felt his presence with my skin. It was a special kind of torture to have him so close to me, yet being unable to say a single unguarded word to each other.

“Well, I...” I drained the rest of my wine in one not lady-like gulp, then set the glass down on the side table. I had to get out of here. I needed to leave. “Where is the ladies’ room, please?”

If the games master hadn’t thought of me as flaky and irrational after my last visit here that ended in a panicked escape, she surely did now. But I couldn’t bring myself to care.

I had to get away from the man I shouldn’t want. I felt him in every particle of the air I breathed. I tasted him in the wine I drank. I wanted him here on the couch with me, or better yet, back in my bed where I could be myself again.

Only with Salas I felt safe to be myself.

“I’ll be right back,” I promised, knowing damn well I would not keep this promise.

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