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Chapter 14

CHAPTER 14

P ain holds no favor over one part of my body. It encases it whole, tearing through me like a tidal wave.

The Breaker left hours ago, discarding my crumbled body and splintered spirit on the floor of my cell, his session a payment for my performance in the first trial, which will only worsen should I continue.

They don't want me to fight. They want me weak, feeble. They want me to portray the Sidus they have built up in their twisted minds.

To them, I should not be strong nor a fighter. I should be beneath them, always .

The thought alone makes me claw my way to a sitting position.

I may be weakened right now, but not broken. Never broken. I will make it through this like I have every other obstacle I have faced before it. With the stubbornness my mother gave me and an unyielding will.

On shaky legs, I force myself to stand, breathing through the phantom pain left behind from the Breaker's session.

With one step in front of the other, I get moving, using my shadows to aid me, unlocking my cell and moving through the passageways up to the palace above.

Clenching my teeth against the sharp pain in my ribs, which are still healing from the trial, I make my way as fast as I can to the location Veles gave me.

Moving through the hallways, I use the hidden coves and dark shadows as my cloak, concealing me when any guards or palace people are near, and swiftly move into the east wing, where the room should be.

It takes longer than it normally would to make it there. But when I arrive, I immediately find myself in a slight predicament.

The hallway along the entire wing seems to be heavily guarded, with a handful of guards stationed throughout it. And the only other way in seems to be through the balcony that sits outside it.

The balcony that sits on a mountain that is a straight drop into the black sea and its dark, tainted waters that bring nothing but death.

I will have to use the nearest ground floor and archways to climb up the side of the first floor and then up again to the small walkway to reach the balcony. All without slipping or falling to my death.

Moving outside to the ground floor, I push every ache and pain in my body out of my mind and focus on moving upward.

Climbing up to the first archway leaves me breathless and my injured ribs throbbing. Glancing upward, I note that I will at least have the trees and vines to conceal me and aid the rest of my journey, but it will not be easy.

From my slightly higher vantage point, I also notice that not many guards are outside. Maybe they thought only a fool would attempt something so dangerous.

A small chuckle leaves my lips. A fool indeed.

Every nerve in my battered body is still tender and painful, so I prepare myself for how hard I will need to push myself to continue upward.

Taking one last moment to gather my strength, I move to the vines and push my body beyond its limits right now to climb up the side of the palace. Each haul upward feels like I'm dragging double my body weight.

My trembling arms grow weaker, forcing me to take another break halfway up.

A rattle starts in my chest with each breath, and I curse myself for most likely further injuring my broken ribs.

With no other choice, I push through it and continue on, making it to the small walkway in double the time it would usually take me. Sitting for another moment, I try to catch my breath once more before dragging my body over the balcony and to the door that leads inside the room.

Finding it slightly ajar, I listen for any sound or movement from inside before moving. After a moment of hearing nothing but the crashing waves below, I head inside.

Taking in the room, my eyes widen at the luxury and extravagance around me.

Thick rugs are laid out on every piece of the floor. There is a huge four-poster bed with a heap of white silk pillows that look like a small haven. The golden embroidered blankets draped over it make me wish I was wrapped within them.

I understand now why Oryn would choose to remain with the Caligo when the luxury the Sidus are afforded is even a fragment of what they see.

Realizing how much time I have wasted gaping at the extravagance, I ignore the rest of the room and glance around for the wine Veles described. He said it will be in a glass bottle, but not like any glass I have seen before, and the wine itself will be shimmery, revealing its uniqueness.

Glancing around, I spot at least a dozen glass bottles placed haphazardly throughout the large room, most of them empty and on their side.

With a sigh, I start searching through any cupboards and dresser. My hand lands on a flimsy piece of silky fabric that looks to belong to an extremely small woman, and I start to wonder what type of room I've come to find myself in.

Placing the flimsy material back where I got it, I move to the wide oak armoire on the opposite side of the room. But upon opening it, I find it filled with weapons rather than clothes.

Dragging myself away from the beautiful collection of blades and swords, I turn and spot another small chest on the other side of the bed. Moving over to it, I open it and find a case full of glass bottles filled with what I hope is wine.

Picking one up, I raise it to the light and watch with glee as it shimmers.

Feeling a small measure of relief, I turn, ready to head back the way I came, when my gaze is drawn to a pair of golden-brown eyes. His hair is the same color as mine but cut short against his head.

"Well, hello there. What have I done to meet such a beauty this fine evening?" His voice is deep, almost a raspy growl. It is a complete contradiction to his relaxed posture and easy-going expression as he leans against the wall. His shirt pulls tight against his chest, revealing a muscular build, and the look he gives me is anything but innocent, making me think the move is intentional.

He glances from my face to the wine in my hands, his smile only widening. "Or maybe it isn't me you were looking for?" he says, amusement toying with his lips.

I clear my throat, scrambling to think of something that will get me out of this. "I was told this room had the best wine in the palace."

He nods, the amusement now a growing glimmer in his eyes. "You would be right, but who may I ask informed you of this?"

I tighten my hold on the bottle of wine. "A… friend ." Veles isn't someone I would call a friend yet, but our blood vow made sure we would have to help each other until the deal was complete.

The man straightens up, and I notice that he's at least a head and a half taller than me. His frame is much larger than I initially thought too, having the physique of a warrior.

"This friend sent you here. Alone?" he asks as a small frown furrows his brow.

I narrow my eyes on him, wondering where he is going with this. "And if he did?"

"Then he is a fool not to have kept you to himself." He steps toward me slowly, the frown clearing from his face as his easy smile reappears.

When he gets close enough, I start sizing him up, my years of training already spotting where I should aim to take him down.

He seems to notice my perusal for exactly what it is, and his brows raise as his entire face transforms into something I can only describe as delight.

"I remember you. You were part of the first trial. You fought with passion and great skill." He clicks his fingers. "Seren. A name and face I should not have forgotten."

My eyes quickly scan him again. He was most definitely not in the arena, nor in any of the seats that surrounded it. I would have remembered someone of his size, his wolfish presence not something I could forget. But I did feel watchful eyes in that shadowed stage.

"How is it that you have no issue with someone slipping into your room without your knowing?" I ask him, wondering why he has not called the guards on me or thrown me out yet. Or at least attempted to take the bottle of wine from me.

He moves closer, and when I don't move a muscle, he continues until he is right in front of me. He studies my face, his eyes growing hooded.

"I find Sidus women to be the most beautiful women I have ever met. Add a woman who knows how to fight, and you have no idea of the power you wield."

I raise a brow. "I am only interested in the wine in my hand."

His smile grows wicked. "Then how about I make you a little offer? A trade of sorts."

I narrow my eyes on the suggestive look he gives me. "What kind of trade?"

"You can have the entire bottle of wine to do with as you will."

"And in return?" I ask.

His eyes dip to my lips, and I know instantly what his request will be.

"In return, all I would ask for is a little… kiss ."

My spine straightens. "I would rather a different kind of trade, or maybe a deal?"

His chuckle rumbles from his chest as his eyes light up. "You would choose a deal that could end up being anything over a small kiss with a handsome man?"

"That you would conceive yourself handsome tells me I should instantly choose the deal."

A peal of laughter resounds around the room, his entire body relaxing as he shakes his head at me with a soft smile.

"Seren. What a joy it is to meet someone who?—"

"Doesn't constantly feed your ego?" I finish his sentence with a mischievous smile, feeling lighter than I have in days.

"How did you manage to get past the guards?" he asks.

"Who says I passed any guards?" I give him my own wicked smile, letting him deduce it himself.

His brows raise as his eyes dart to the door balcony and back to me. "You climbed up the side of the palace? For a bottle of wine?"

"I like a challenge," I tell him, and that smile of his turns sinful.

"Stay and have a drink with me."

I shake my head. "I can't."

"This friend of yours does not deserve a moment of your time if he made you get him a drink. Stay and I will make it worth your while," he promises.

"You're inconceivable." I move too quickly and wince, hastily trying to cover it with a forced smile.

He quickly loses any amusement. "You're hurt?"

I tighten my hold on the bottle and shove down the pain once more. "I'm fine."

He frowns and turns to find something in a small drawer in his armoire before moving back to me and placing it in my free hand.

"What is this?" A small dark stone the size of half my hand sits in my palm. On closer inspection, I see hundreds of small glittering colors at the center.

"Just wait," he says and gazes right at me while he grows quiet.

I open my mouth to ask him what he means when I feel it. A soft brush of energy that moves through me, growing warm near my injuries.

My eyes widen as they lock on his when my ribs slowly start to heal, and the aches and pains quickly leave me.

It's a healing stone. A rare gem that is usually hoarded by only those who are lucky enough to find one or trade a hefty bargain for it. The ability to heal the person that holds it will never expire and can heal all types of injuries as long as they are not too close to death.

How he came across one only proves to me how wealthy he must be. I reach out to hand it back to him, but he shakes his head.

"Keep it."

I am not one to accept gifts so easily, but with my last few visits from the guards and the Breaker, I will need all the help I can get. But I am also not willing to pay for it in the manner he may require of me.

"And what would I owe you for this? We have yet to come to a deal for the wine."

"You deserve the wine after the fight and level of skill you displayed earlier, and the stone is a selfish need to ensure you give me another fight." He gives me a wolfish grin, and the look in his eyes tells me he is sincere.

But it still makes no sense for him to give me a healing stone. Something that is not easy to come by and extremely valuable, even among the wealthy.

"Why?" I ask.

His expression turns contemplative as he silently stares at me. "Maybe I would just like to be your friend."

" Just my friend?" I ask with a pointed look. He has made it obvious just what type of friend he would want in me should I allow it.

A glint of devilment enters his eyes. "I am always open to other suggestions. But for now, yes. And as a gesture to our new budding friendship…" He moves over to the door and speaks to someone outside. I can't hear what they are saying—he's too far away to make it out—but once he is finished, loud thumps sound down the hall, quickly reminding me of the guards stationed directly along this hallway.

He walks back to me with a youthful expression full of recklessness. "Your coast is clear, milady."

"You…" I freeze, glancing over at the door with a raised brow.

"Got rid of the guards?" He smiles with a nod.

"How?" I ask.

"I told them there was a wicked thief attempting to steal from the floor below."

A small smile spreads across my lips. "And they believed you so easily?"

"I can be very convincing when I want to be. And if I were to take a guess, by the time they eventually figure out it was all a ruse, I would assume it would buy you enough time to return to your room. Hopefully alone ." He gives me a hopeful yet pointed look. "With a new bottle of wine in hand."

"I could have just left the way I came." Especially now with most of my injuries healed thanks to the stone.

"But I would hate for anything to happen to you. Especially when I can't wait to see your skill with a weapon in your hand."

I feel excitement bubble up inside me at the thought. "You'll be watching?"

"I wouldn't miss it," he says with a husky voice.

I move to the door, peeking out to find the hallway empty before turning back to find him right beside me.

"Does my new friend have a name?" I ask.

Warmth seeps into his eyes as he watches me. "Asra."

Feeling bold, I lean forward and place a kiss on the side of his cheek. "Thank you, Asra."

I quickly turn and head out, the bottle of wine safely in the palm of my hand.

"Make sure you give them hell," Asra shouts out from behind me.

"Oh, I intend to," I assure him without looking back, and his deep chuckle follows me down the hall.

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