11. Kuana

The cheers of the spectators still echoed in my ears, the adrenaline still pumping through my veins as I led Violet away from the Prize Pool and towards my cell.

I could feel the throbbing pain from the bruises and cuts I'd acquired during the fight.

But right now, the pain seemed distant, overshadowed by the joy of claiming Violet and the warmth of her hand in mine.

When we reached my cell, I could see the concern etched on Violet's face as she took in my injuries. "Sit," she instructed, guiding me to the bed.

She went over to a small cabinet, pulling out a basic first aid kit.

The prison might be brutal, but they provided the basics to patch up your wounds — after all, they needed us healthy enough to fight another day.

I winced as she gently dabbed at a cut on my cheek with an antiseptic-soaked pad. "Sorry," she murmured, her touch feather-light.

As she tended to my wounds, there was a tender intimacy in the air.

The close proximity, the gentleness of her touch, the way our eyes met every so often… the energy between us was palpable.

It was in one of these moments, with our eyes locked and faces inches apart, that the atmosphere shifted.

I could feel the heat of her breath on my lips, and the world outside our bubble ceased to exist.

The dangers of the prison, the uncertainty of our future, all faded into oblivion.

Our lips met, gently at first, and then with growing urgency.

My hands found their way to her waist, pulling her closer, while hers slid up to cradle my face.

The pain from my injuries was now a distant memory, replaced by the overwhelming sensations of our union.

I deepened the kiss, tasting her, losing myself in the feeling of her lips on mine.

Our breathing became ragged, our touches more insistent.

The world outside, with its battles and politics, seemed light-years away.

We laid back on the bed, our bodies intertwining, our souls melding into one.

The pain, the fear, the uncertainty of our lives in the prison were momentarily forgotten as we lost ourselves in each other.

Our love was an oasis in this desert of cruelty and despair.

It was a bond that no prison walls could contain, a force that defied all odds.

And as we lay there, spent and holding each other close, I marveled at the depth of our connection.

In this cold, unforgiving place, we had found warmth and solace in each other's arms.

And that gave me hope.

Hope that no matter the challenges we faced, we would always find our way back to each other.

The steady rhythm of Violet's breathing as she slept beside me was a comforting reminder of the love we shared.

And as I drifted off to sleep, I clung to the hope that together, we could overcome anything.

* * *

The dim lightsof the cell cast a soft glow over Violet's features, making her seem almost ethereal.

She looked peaceful in slumber, the gentle rise and fall of her chest a testament to the deep, dreamless sleep she had fallen into after our moment of passion.

Cocooned in the warmth of our shared blankets, I cradled her closer, her head resting perfectly in the crook of my arm.

The delicate scent of her hair filled my nostrils, a fragrance that was both exotic and familiar, as intoxicating as the most potent brew.

I thought of our nights together.

Those brief moments when the harsh reality of the prison faded away, replaced by the soft murmurs of shared dreams, whispered secrets, and the sweet nothings of lovers.

Every night with Violet was a small slice of heaven, a respite from the brutality of our confined lives.

She was my sanctuary, my haven.

Yet, a storm brewed inside me.

Whenever I thought of the possibility of Violet being Claimed by another, anger bubbled up, consuming me, leaving a sour taste in my mouth.

It wasn't mere jealousy; it was a primal, possessive urge.

I yearned for her, not just in the physical sense but in every conceivable way.

My heart ached at the mere thought of another creature's touch on her skin.

The thought of her sharing moments of intimacy, moments like the ones we had just shared, with someone else was unbearable.

The system was rigged, cruel.

Prizes like Violet were meant to be won, not loved.

But I loved her.

I loved her with a ferocity that was both exhilarating and terrifying.

Suddenly, a realization hit me like a sledgehammer.

The solution to my internal turmoil was simple.

We needed to escape.

If we were free, Violet would be out of reach from the greedy clutches of the fighters.

There would be no need for her to be displayed like some trophy, no need for me to fight to Claim her.

Outside these walls, we could be just Kuana and Violet, two souls intertwined, without the weight of titles and expectations.

Our love wasn't meant to be confined to the stolen moments in a prison cell.

It was vast, boundless, deserving of the open skies and the infinite stars.

Violet said she already knew of a way for us to escape…

I knew the risks were high, but the prize — a life of freedom with Violet — was worth it.

But what about the secret?

What about what I had discovered in the depths of the research facility those five years ago?

If it were to ever escape, to fall into the wrong hands…

I never chose what happened to me on that day.

I was there to steal research, not for it to…

I stopped and shook my head.

Did I have to sacrifice myself and Violet's happiness and future for what I knew?

Lost in my thoughts, I didn't notice that Violet had stirred.

Her eyes, half-open, regarded me with a mix of curiosity and sleepiness. "What are you thinking about?" she murmured, her voice husky from sleep.

I pressed a gentle kiss on her forehead, my heart swelling with emotion. "Us," I replied simply. "Us and our future."

Violet snuggled closer, her fingers tracing circles on my chest. "What about our future?" she whispered.

A surge of determination coursed through me.

It was now or never. "I want… us to be free," I began, choosing my words carefully. "Free to love, to live, to be together without the shadow of the prison looming over us."

Violet looked up at me, her eyes searching mine, trying to gauge the sincerity of my words. "Kuana," she began, her voice tinged with caution. "Do you mean…?"

Before she could finish her sentence, I nodded. "Yes," I said. "I want to escape with you."

A myriad of emotions flitted across Violet's face — surprise, joy, fear, and hope.

She seemed to be processing my words, weighing the implications of my proposal.

Drawing a deep breath, I gathered her close, our hearts beating in tandem. "There's something else I need to tell you," I murmured into her ear.

She looked up, anticipation gripping her gaze. "What is it?" she asked.

The atmosphere in the cell was thick with tension and hope.

This was the beginning of our journey to freedom, and I was determined to see it through, for both of us.

* * *

The dim lightsof our cell seemed brighter, the air felt crisper, and every sound was magnified as I sat across from Violet, the weight of my realization pressing on me.

Every night, after our stolen moments of intimacy, I would lie beside her, trying to ignore the gnawing feeling in the pit of my stomach.

"I've been running," I said. "From conflicts, from responsibilities, and most of all, from you. I've been running so long I don't remember what I'm really running away from anymore. Every time I look into your eyes, I'm reminded of the promises I've broken, the love I've abandoned. The mere thought of leaving you again sends shivers down my spine. I can't do it, not again."

Her eyes shimmered with tears and searched mine.

There was concern in her gaze, and a hint of sadness.

Violet's eyes widened. "Kuana, what are you saying?"

"I'm saying," I paused, taking a deep breath to steady myself, "I love you, Violet."

Her reaction was instant.

The tears shimmering in her eyes spilled down her cheeks and she gnawed at her lower lip, trying to hold back her emotions.

But I wasn't done.

"I realized that running away and not telling you my feelings was the most foolish thing I've ever done," I continued, my voice barely above a whisper. "I keep thinking about a life without you, about the days we wouldn't share, the moments we would miss. And it terrifies me."

She wiped a hand across her cheek. "Kuana…"

"No, please let me finish," I pleaded, reaching out to cup her face gently with my hand. "I want a life with you. A simple, peaceful life, away from all this chaos, this prison, these fights. I don't want to be a warrior or a bearer of a great secret. I just want to be yours."

The intensity of my feelings surprised even me.

But it was true.

I wanted to leave everything behind, start anew, with Violet by my side.

Her expression was a mix of shock and joy. "Are you sure?"

"Yes," I said, determination imbuing my voice. "I'll leave the prison, the fights, everything. But you have to come with me. We have to leave everything behind. Everything."

For a few heartbeats, the world seemed to stand still.

The silence between us was thick, filled with unsaid words, unshared dreams, and unfulfilled promises.

I held my breath, waiting for her response.

Violet took a deep breath, her eyes still filled with tears. "You're asking me to leave my life, my responsibilities, everything I've ever known."

I nodded, my heart in my throat. "I know it's a lot to ask. But if we're going to hide somewhere so this secret never goes beyond us… Yes, I'm asking for you to give up everything for a life with me."

She looked deep into my eyes, as if searching for the truth in my words.

Then, with a shaky breath, she whispered:

"Okay."

"Okay?" I asked in disbelief.

She nodded, tears streaming down her face. "Okay, I'll leave everything. For you."

I pulled her close, holding her tightly, feeling her heart beat against mine.

We were taking a leap of faith, leaving everything we knew for the unknown.

But we were doing it together.

As I held Violet in my arms, I felt a sense of peace and contentment wash over me.

We were ready to face the future, together.

And nothing could stand in our way.

At least, that's what we thought…