Page 50 of A Touch of Stars and Stones
I snatch my hand away, and his knees hit the ground.
“Shit, I’m sorry.”
“Go. You’ll have to take my spot,” he moans.
Ten looks between me and Calix. His eyes are cool and calculating and not offering any of the comfort I’ve enjoyed before. My chest tightens, but my legs and arms feel alive, nearly shaking with energy.
I watch Ravi sprinting towards us, his legs slowing as he sees us all gathered around, even though Capella is in front of him.
“Come on, Ravi!” I call.
He runs towards me, and then I take off. My legs are sure beneath each step, and while I don’t feel the ease of speed, there’s an assurance that I won’t fall if I push myself harder. Calix’s strength.
My mind focuses on what’s in front of me, as I balance, plant my feet, and launch up the first A-frame, now spiked with more wood and small branches to ensure an easy climb. My hands reach for the summit and pull me over, and I scale down the other side.
Keep going. Keep going. Breathe.
The course feels like it’s never-ending, and the energy I’d taken from Calix—the power—is draining fast. But I don’t falter. I pull myself up, over and under, not paying attention or daring to look across at the other team until all that is left is the run for the line.
I can do this. I can do this.
My knees rise, my legs pump, and I run.
Halfway, my lungs start to burn, my throat closes up, and it’s the sprints all over again. And there’s nobody around me. But I’ve come this far. I won’t let this beat me. Just a bit further.
Calix is the last to race, and I hope he’s recovered enough to bring this home against Micah. Because all of a sudden, the desire to win–to beat someone–is right there in my chest, as if thinking it has stoked it to life.
I all but fall over the line, and to my relief, Calix races off.
My heart is going to explode, I’m sure. And despite every part of my being wishing I didn’t, I drop to the ground, rest my arms over my knees, and breathe.
“Pretty risky, Ever.” It’s Ten’s voice. And he sounds cross.
“Yeah,” I pant.
“You did good.”
I nod, still not looking up at him. The sweat beads on my forehead, and the heat from my exertion blooms over my face.
“You’ll likely win now.”
“Good.” I finally look at him, and I’m hit with that heat—the sensation I’m starting to associate with him. Like it’s there, even if we don’t touch, simmering between us.
He puts his hand out to help me up.
Our eyes lock. I want to. I can feel he wants me to take his hand like it’s the most natural thing in the world. But I don’t.
I can’t.
I have no idea if what happened last time will happen again or if I’ll bring him to his knees like I just did to Calix.
Instead, I shove myself up from sitting and brush the dust from my clothes, and he takes a step back.
“Ever.” Rowan interrupts. “When you’ve got your breath back, the Maker has asked to see you.”
“Now?” I wheeze.
“When the race finishes.”
