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Chapter 50
Kaiya
We'd started with dessert, of course, and ate it while watching Finn do a handful of festival games.
Exhausted, we made our way back to an open area near the band where pairs of children were excitedly tying strips of fabric around their legs in preparation for what seemed like a three-legged race.
The game leader beckoned to us. "Care to join? We have a few spots left."
I stared at the kids, confused, while Jaiel chuckled at my side. "While we'd love to try, I'm afraid it just wouldn't be fair to the kids."
The elderly man's eyes sparkled, and he looked between the three of us adults and Finn, then smiled. "You know — I think you might be right. Looking at you lot, it's probably not a fair race at all."
"We'll do it!" Tye barked from the other side of Finn.
Wait. What?! I turned to stare at him, aghast.
If we agreed, this was going to end with kids crying and parents upset. I was sure of it.
But Tye just stood there, lips curled in a slight smile. "Trust me," he said. "I think it'll be quite the learning experience. "
Jaiel cocked his brow as he stared down at Finn. "Are you sure you want this, kiddo?"
The little boy just nodded and stepped closer to Tye. I narrowed my eyes. Was there something they weren't telling us?
Tye made a shooing gesture toward Jaiel and me, then nudged the little boy towards the pile of ropes. "I call the boy. You and the witch can console yourselves with the view of our backsides!"
What in the seven hells was going on?
I stared in confusion as Finn and Tye grabbed a length of rope and ran off together, smiling wickedly.
"You know," Jaiel said, holding up a rope. "I was going to say we should let everyone else win. But I think Tye needs a bit of a lesson."
I opened my mouth to disagree, but a snickering group of kids at the starting line made me pause. Something was definitely up …
"Jaiel — I think this might be a —"
The announcer cut in. "We start on 'go'. Three. Two. One — GO!"
Jaiel and I collapsed across the finish line, gasping to catch our breath. My chest burned, and my legs had turned into noodles.
Since when were three-legged races SIX laps long?
Tye and Finn were a few feet away, almost done untying their rope, and laughing like maniacs.
"I'm not sure why you look so happy, Wolf-Boy!" Jaiel snapped, breathing hard as he untied our legs. "You two got second to last place."
"Yes, but you were beaten by all the children, Fae prince," Tye grinned, helping Finn up and offering him a high-five.
"I wouldn't be so smug, Tye," Finn said with a grin. "I'd have won without you slowing me down."
Then he dashed away in a fit of giggles.
Tye stared after him with, lips twitching, then grumbled something under his breath and turned back to us.
We all lumbered back to the food area, muscles aching as we piled our plates high. Who knew a simple child's game could be so tiring?
The music was starting up again as we wandered back to the seating area, and Jaiel picked a place far enough away that we could hear each other talk.
