Page 10 of Honour Bound
‘Games? You’re kidding me? They risked their lives so they could win some pennant?’
Byron tsked. ‘You really have no idea, have you?’
‘Go on,’ I taunted. ‘Enlighten me.’
The rancour disappeared from his face and his tone dropped. ‘Believe me, there’s nothing I’d like more.’ His gaze dropped to my mouth and lingered there; there was no doubt as to what he was really referring.
I balled up my fists. ‘Oh, I’m more enlightened than you think.’
‘Really.’
I flicked a look at Jamie; judging from the way his shoulders were hunched, he wanted to be a million miles away from here. Nevertheless, I pointed at him. ‘Ask him,’ I said. ‘Your friend can tell you how enlightened I am.’
A muscle jerked in Byron’s cheek. He moved away and I expelled a silent sigh of relief. ‘Do you know what the Games are?’ he asked.
I folded my arms. ‘No.’
He smirked. ‘They’re held every generation. Almost every Clan participates and, while the prize for the winner is grand, they’re really about the honour of beating everyone else.’
Honour? Ha! If the prize was sogrand, then they wouldn’t trouble themselves with honour. You couldn’t feed a family on it, after all.
My thoughts must have been written across my face because Byron’s expression lit up. ‘Honour is important to the Sidhe.’ His eyes glinted. ‘Most of us, anyway. But I’m not lying, the prize really is worth having because the winner can ask for anything. If it’s within the means of the Clans to grant it, they shall receive it.’
I hadn’t been expecting that. I felt Speck shiver in delight next to me, although he managed to keep his mouth shut. ‘Anything?’ I asked.
‘Yes,’ Byron said smugly.
‘Wow.’ I couldn’t dampen my curiosity. ‘So what did the last generation’s winner ask for?’
Jamie squeaked. ‘Oh!’ he blurted out. ‘But last time…’ He stopped mid-sentence.
I paused, my eyes narrowing. ‘Last time what?’ Suddenly Byron looked guilty, as if he wished he’d not brought up the subject. ‘Spit it out, princeling.’
‘The last winner asked for a black rose,’ he said heavily.
My nose wrinkled. ‘A black rose? What use is that?’
‘They’re very rare.’
Big deal. I wasn’t a complete idiot though. Jamie’s reaction hadn’t been anything to do with the prize; his squeal had been because of the winner. Something squirmed inside me. ‘Who won?’
‘It was a long time ago, Integrity. Does it really matter?’ I didn’t say anything. Instead I just held his eyes, silently demanding the truth. Byron sighed. ‘Fine. The last winner was Gale Adair.’
Both Speck and I sucked in audible breaths. My father. Supposedly the least honourable Sidhe who had ever existed ? if Moncrieffes like Byron’s father were to be believed. I bit down hard on the inside of my cheek.
‘I’m sorry, Integrity.’ Byron sounded like he meant it. ‘I wasn’t thinking.’
‘Most people either recoil at any mention of him or pretend he never existed. You don’t do that,’ I said flatly. I tilted my chin. ‘Any Clan can participate in these Games?’
He grimaced, sensing the direction of my thoughts. ‘Almost any Clan.’
‘Meaning what exactly?’
‘Every generation, a different Clan is responsible for planning the Games. We take turns because it wouldn’t be fair for the organisers to participate as well. It’s important that the challenges are kept secret to make the playing field as even as possible.’
I felt a strange fire light up in the pit of my belly. Ohhhhhh, yes. ‘And the Clan organising these Games?’ I asked. ‘It’s obviously not the Moncrieffes because you lot are running around trying to get yourself killed before they start.’
‘The Carnegies,’ Byron said, confirming my suspicion. ‘It’s their turn. Apparently they’re going all out to create a spectacle. Even though they can’t participate, the organisers compete to make the Games they hold better and more exciting than everyone else’s. There’s a lot of kudos involved in getting them right.’
