Page 65 of A World of Ruins

My heart grows with a mixture of love, defiance and a touch of fear. Fear of the consequences we might face tomorrow, thenext day or the one after. But right now, what matters is that Darius and I are married and that despite where we might be, I’m his wife, and he is my husband.

As exhaustion takes over, I unwrap the makeshift bandage across my knuckles, smiling when I see it healing already.

For minutes, we find peace in each other’s comfort, our breathing steady as he moves his fingers up and down the side of my body. As I stare at the walls around me, I sigh. ‘What if we aren’t able to get out of this one?’

He lets out a deep and hard breath as I twist around and peer up at him. He turns his head to the side, his gaze tracing my features. ‘You’ll think of something, Goldie.’ He presses a soft lingering kiss against my lips and whispers, ‘You always do.’

CHAPTERTWENTY-NINE

I wake up with a smile on my face and turn to face Darius.

Except he is not there.

And I’m not where we were last night.

I jerk upright with a gasp, rising to my feet and pivoting in a slow circle as I scan the cramped cell. Four stone walls envelop me, their surfaces shrouded in darkness and grime. Above, a rhythmic dripping sound echoes, and I lift my head to see where it is coming from, yet the absence of light makes it impossible.

My chest tightens, and each breath I take starts to feel like a struggle as I search aimlessly for a way out.

I shout Darius’s name, but my voice cracks and I yell in frustration.

Until a mechanical creak reverberates through the cell, drawing my attention. I turn, witnessing a cascade of light seeping beneath the wall as it gradually rises.

Sand is the first thing I see, accompanied by the pungent odour of decay lingering in the air as the wall grinds to a halt.

Nails dig into my skin as I clench my fist, and I let out a shaky breath as I move towards the arena. I hiss as the sun burns through the sky and onto my skin. Raising my arm to my forehead, I can finally see how the arena surrounds us as the crowd’s cheers and jeers blur in a less enthusiastic cacophony. When I look at some of them – children, families, men and women – I notice most are crying, as if they are here against their will.

I shake my head, and the nightmare of being here before crashes against my chest, chipping away at the last chance to breathe.

The same sound I heard when my cell opened comes from my right. Darius steps out, but this time, our eyes meet in a different way. He looks tormented – tormented by himself. My gaze slides to his hands, and I notice how he rubs his thumb against his ring finger before the flash of a chain around his ankle catches my attention.

Aurum must have done something last night – he must have come in and seen us together and—

‘Nara!’ His voice causes a spurt of nausea to rush up my throat.

The crowd settles and I glance up at where he and Sarilyn are seated – the same place Sarilyn once sat with the General, watching us and dragons fight each other, just for their sick pleasure.

‘I’m sure you’ve missed this place as much as the rest,’ he gloats, grinning as he leans back against his seat. ‘Sarilyn tells me you never completed your Venator trials. A pity. I’m certain you would have made anexcellentdragon hunter.’

I hate how he looks down at me as if he knows I can’t do anything. It makes me wonder how a man so cruel as him can sleep so soundly at night.

‘So,’ he continues, ‘being the generous man that I am, I am allowing you to fix that.’

Every muscle in my face tightens as I stare at him, dreading what he is implying.

‘You and Darius,’ he drawls. ‘Willfightto the death.’

My lungs stop working.

I look over at Darius whose murderous gaze is set on Aurum.

‘Oh, don’t look at me like that.’ Aurum grins. ‘Today is a special day. I’m allowing you to use your powers. Isn’t that exciting?’

‘Darius and I would never fight each other if it meant death!’

Aurum’s gaze is calculating as it meets mine. ‘Hedoes not have a choice.’ His one eye cuts to Darius before he flicks his fingers and Darius clenches his eyes shut, wincing.

I feel helpless as ever. ‘Stop!’ I say, but even my voice betrays me.

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