Page 61 of A Realm of Fire and Ash

Eventually, their moans die down, and I can feel the bed shift as they find their own space. I don't dare move, and I remain motionless until I'm sure they're asleep.

I let out a staggered breath and force my eyes to open, my vision coming into focus on the two of them. Aggonid's arm is like a steel band around Caius' waist, trapping him in an embrace that borders on possessiveness. They lie quiet, and I take in the picture of them together with a heavy heart and a painful twist in my gut. It's clear how content they are in each other's arms, something that I can never have.

When I wake the next morning, sunlight blanches my puffy eyelids and I glance over my shoulder to find Caius and Aggonid still asleep.

I slide out of bed, my feet touching the cold marble floor as I make my way to the closet door. Carefully, I pull it open, and my eyes widen at the sight of a trove of weapons tucked at the back behind the rack of clothes.

I run my fingers over the various blades, swords, and spears that line the walls, my eyes dance around the blades, my fingers trembling as they touch the metal hilts. Warily, I stretch out and grab a long katana before pulling it out of its sheath.

The weight of the weapon feels strange in my hand, almost alien, and yet I find comfort in its familiarity. We don't have any metal like this in Bedlam. I can almost feel a spark of energy radiating from the weapon, a reminder that I am a warrior, and yet I'm aware that I'm still far from prepared for what lies ahead. Thoughts of the Forsaken Hunt rumble in my mind as my muscles tense, and determination runs through my veins like fire.

I hold the katana up to the light and take a deep breath, pushing back the fear that threatens to consume me. I've got to win this.

I sheath the blade and pull a long dress shirt off its hanger, shrugging it over my head before moving to the large window that dominates the far wall of the room. Pulling back the drapes, I take in the sights of Hell as the morning sun casts its orange light over the landscape.

Winged beasts soar in the skies, the rumble of their cries echoing across the ash-covered land. Smoke and fire fill the horizon, a stark contrast to the peace of Aggonid and Caius' chambers.

I yelp, jumping when a hand lands on my shoulder, and I whirl around to find Caius, naked. He grins cockily, his gaze locked on my face.

"You look good in my shirt," he purrs, eyes raking down my body. "Though if I'm being honest, you look much better naked."

"Caius!" I hiss, swatting his arm.

* * *

Aggonid

The soundof Morte shrieking tears me from sleep, and I sit up, ready to come to her aid when I see Caius only startled her.

Plopping back down onto my pillow, I watch from the shadows where they flirt by the window. A deep sense of longing rises inside me as I take in Morte's beauty, seeing for the first time just how perfect she is for us.

For several moments, I lay still and silent, aching for the closeness I know I can never have from her.

Caius cups her cheek. "Were you trying to make him jealous?"

"What do you mean?" she whispers.

"I knew you'd had died if you gave them your virginity instead of giving it to me, but even I got jealous hearing you lie about fucking someone else."

My breathing stills as I strain to listen. She made a deal with Caius to give him her virginity?

A dark thought worms its way through my mind, and I shiver. If I can't return her to Bedlam, there is another way I can make sure she's out of our lives forever.

No one will take my throne.

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

MORTE

Sitting at the foot of my bed, I use a rock to sharpen one of the blades Caius had given me. My belly is full, on account of Aggonid making sure I was well-fed. He’d been acting strange all day, allowing his attention to linger on me, the heat in his gaze unmistakable.

I've only just returned with a small map Caius drew me of all the huts across the forest with participants in tonight's hunt. For twenty-four hours, it's kill or be killed.

Once all my blades are sharpened, I pull on my cuirass, securing it with a few leather straps. Sliding the glowing red gemstone into the breastplate, designating me as a participant, I cross to the door when a knock sounds.

"Who is it?" I call through it. The hunt can't have started already.

"Az," a gruff voice responds.

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