23. Chapter Twenty-Three

Chapter Twenty-Three

B ecca

I’m surprised Arisha lived up to her end of the deal. She promised him fifty thousand credits, win or lose, and she came through. Despair crashes over me in relentless waves as I watch Pyne receive his hard-earned prize money. The glitter and glam of the competition fade away, leaving only the cold, harsh reality of my situation.

I’m a slave, bound to the kitchens of this very hotel, and no amount of baking ability or heart-wrenching romance can change that. Soon, Pyne will return to his comrades and he’ll slip back into his old life—and I’ll return to a life of drudgery. For a moment, I almost asked him to stay on Cryosene so we could be together, but what kind of life would that be for him?

I’m a slave, bound to live in the barracks under the parking garage. How often would my master allow me to see him? It would just make us both more miserable knowing the other was only a few blocks away, yet our time together would be so limited. If he offers to stay here, I’ll use all my force of will to tell him I won’t allow it. At least one of us deserves to have a good life. He’s certainly earned it.

At least I’ll have the memories of what we’ve shared. The look of affection in those gorgeous blue eyes, the warmth of his hand on the small of my back, the heights of bliss he shared with me in bed. I’ll always have that. And that he cares for me, that he seems shattered that he can’t buy me and take me with him? I’ll hold onto that cherished memory for the rest of my life.

I take a deep, shuddering breath, ordering myself to hold back the hot tears forming at the back of my eyes. I can’t break down, not here, not now. Strong. I must stay strong, to maintain my self-control until I’m back in the familiar confines of the kitchen, hidden away from prying eyes and pitying glances.

Just as Pyne is about to pocket his winnings, a familiar figure strides into the room—Gorgax, my kitchen manager. His four beady eyes rake over me, a cruel smile twisting his lips. “Time to get back to your station. Assistant to the assistant head baker,” he sneers, his gaze darting to Pyne’s fat purse with undisguised greed.

Confusion furrows my brow as I turn to Gorgax, my voice trembling despite my best efforts. “But… but Arisha said I was valuable, that my skills were worth a fortune. She told Pyne she couldn’t part with me for less than a king’s ransom. Why would she say that if I’m the lowest ranked baker on staff?”

Gorgax throws his head back and laughs, the sound grating and harsh in the suddenly silent room. “You na?ve little fool,” he spits, his eyes glinting with malice. “Arisha lied. She just needed to keep you and your gladiator in the game, to milk the ratings for all they were worth. You’re nothing special, just another slave to be worked until you’re used up and discarded.”

The words hit me like a physical blow as my thoughts spin with this new knowledge. I sway on my feet as the true depth of Arisha’s deception sinks in. It was all a lie, a cruel manipulation designed to keep us dancing to her tune. I wonder in how many other ways this competition was rigged.

Before I can fully process the shock, Pyne is at my side, his arm slipping around my waist in a gesture of comfort and support. He must have heard our conversation, because his eyes blaze with righteous anger as he faces down Gorgax, his voice low and dangerous. “How much?”

Gorgax blinks, taken aback by the suddenness of the question. “What?”

“How much for Becca’s freedom? I have money now. Name your price.”

My throat suddenly goes dry as a wild, desperate hope surges through my veins. Could it be possible? Could Pyne really buy my freedom, here and now, with some of the very prize money he earned in this twisted competition?

Gorgax’s eyes narrow, his gaze calculating as he looks Pyne up and down. “Every credit in that purse.” His tone is smug, avaricious, as he tips his head toward the blue velvet drawstring bag. “And not a credit less.”

I gasp, my hand flying to my mouth. It’s an outrageous sum, far more than any slave could ever hope to fetch. But Pyne doesn’t even blink as he almost tosses the bag to Gorgax, then stays his hand.

“It’s a deal.” Pyne’s voice is steady and sure. “When the papers are signed, you’ll get your money. Have the transfer papers drawn up immediately. Becca leaves with me today, a free woman.”

Gorgax’s gaze focuses on the heavy bag as though it were a lover. “I’ll bring the official papers within an hoara .” He takes a threatening step forward as though his spindly body could do harm to the gladiator at my side. “I’ll know if it’s even one credit short.”

As he scurries from the room, I turn to Pyne, my eyes wide and shining with unshed tears. “Pyne, I… I don’t know what to say. You didn’t have to do that, to spend all your money on me. You risked your life for those credits.”

He silences me with a finger to my lips, his gaze soft and tender. “You’re worth ten times that. You’re worth everything, Becca. Everything and more. I would have spent every last credit I had, sold my very soul, to set you free. Because I love you more than life itself. Becca, I swear to the Goddess I will never let you go again.”

The tears I’ve been holding back finally spill, cascading down my cheeks in a torrent of joy. Throwing myself into Pyne’s arms, I cling to him with all my strength. “I love you too,” I whisper, my voice choked with emotion. “I never dreamed… I never thought I could have this, have someone as wonderful as you. It’s like a miracle, a Christmas miracle.”

He chuckles softly, his breath warm against my ear. “Not a miracle, sugarplum. Just the power of love, and the strength of a bond that nothing in this universe can break.”

We stand like this for a long moment, lost in each other, savoring the reality of our new future stretching out before us. But our reverie is broken by a sudden chime from the wrist-comm that was recently returned to Pyne. The device flashes with an incoming message.

He taps the screen, then reads the display. “It’s the Devil’s Playground .” He can’t hide the excitement in his voice; those beautiful blue eyes are sparkling with happiness. “They’re here, orbiting the planet. Wondering why I’ve been out of touch. They’re waiting to take us home.”

Home. The word echoes through my mind, a promise and a prayer all in one. Home, not just a place, but a feeling, a sense of belonging and love and family. Home, with Pyne, surrounded by his friends as we forge a new life among the stars.

I take his hand, my fingers lacing with his, marveling at the way they fit together so perfectly. “Let’s go,” I say, my heart soaring with optimism and excitement. “Let’s go home.”

After I receive my official papers of freedom and the hateful collar is removed from my neck, we step out into the bright Cryosyne sunlight. I can’t help but laugh, the sound bubbling from deep within my chest. It’s a laugh of pure, unadulterated joy, a release of all the fear and doubt and hopelessness that had weighed me down for so long.

Pyne joins in, his laughter mingling with mine as he lifts me and twirls me as though I weigh nothing. We’re giddy with the sheer, unbelievable reality of our newfound freedom. We must look like a pair of lovestruck fools, dancing and giggling in the middle of the street, but I couldn’t care less. For the first time in my life, I am truly, emphatically happy.

“We did it,” I gasp, breathless and beaming. “We really did it. We’re free, Pyne. Free to be together, to build a life, to chase our dreams among the stars.”

He cups my face in his hands, and spears me with a look, so sincere, so raw, so honest, so full of passion, I wonder if we’ll ever need to exchange another word.

But Pyne says, “We’ve paid our dues, Becca. Perhaps the gods will smile on us from now on. And if they don’t, we’ll handle whatever they throw at us, because our love is strong enough to face anything.”