Page 65 of The Heart Trials

“About Dorian,” he goes on. “It’s obvious that he likes you. You should lean into it. Maybe Rhythe will back off if he pairs with you.”

I laugh, a deep belly laugh. It feels foreign and yet desperately comforting.

“I’m serious,” Caelus says. “He believes in all this, it seems. I could see him putting his whole heart into the tournament and making it to the end. You might actually be able to feel things for him.”

“Wrap it up,” a Mercyenforcer shouts.

“I’m going to make it to runner-up because I’m more cunning than anyone here,” I say. “Not because I love someone. Your time would be better spent figuring out how you are going to survive this.” The words slip out, and I wish I could call them back. I don’t mean them as cruel as they sound.

He doesn’t speak. But I see a flicker, a pause that lasts a beat too long. His hand on the table curls into a loose fist before relaxing. He nods emptily. I’ve struck a wound.

“We have to disrupt the alliance,” I say to change the subject to something actionable. Something we can fix.

“We do,” he agrees. “I want Rhythe out of here. I don’t want anyone in our way.”

“If we get rid of him, Talia and Lira are toothless.”

He nods, pensive.

“And about Dorian, he and Mae can make it to the end. They are the best match. We need to protect them, push them together, even. Because—” My lashes flutter. Why do I care what happens to him?

“Are you feeling guilty for turning him down?” He eyes me curiously.

“I don’t know what I’m feeling half the time. I just know that I like feeling things and I’m trying to trust it more. Dorian and Mae should win. Me and someone else just need to make it to the end to be at the Ascension Ceremony.”

“Then you need to figure out who that someone else is soon.”

“I will.” My skin prickles as if it’s suddenly too tight.

“Today, Axira. You need time to get to know them, develop some kind of pretend bond, start practicing relying on each other. All of that in place before the second trial. Today, promise me.” Something in his gaze pleads with me, and it tugs the answer out of my mouth before I can even think.

“Right, yes. Okay, I’ll pick someone today.” My throat goes dry, and I have to swallow twice.

“Good.”

“Excellent.”

He folds his arms over his chest. “I feel better already about our plans.”

“Me too,” I say. Then, to cover the sudden awkwardness between us, I ask, “What do you know about the second trial?”

“It’s in Grainfolk,” he says. Another bell chimes, freeing us just before my heart beats out of my ribs.

I scoot into a nearby seat and find myself across from Kade.

“And we meet again,” he says. We sit in silence for the longest time. An infectious Scent looms in the air, fraying my senses. If I could get past his secrets, perhaps I could pick him. After all, I don’t care if he makes it out of here. But Kade seems interested in Lira. Very interested in Lira. So maybe I’d be wasting my time?

After using most of our time in awkward silence, Kade grabs the card and reads it. It’s the same card Caelus and I had. “So, tell me your confession.”

“I know you’re lying about why you’re here,” I say.

He doesn’t move. He’s denying me any kind of reaction. Whatever he is hiding is locked in a vault.

“And yours?” I ask.

“I know why the Benevolent spared your life.”

A chill slithers down my spine because his words ring like a threat. I convinced the Benevolent to let me compete. That’s why he spared me…Right? Kade’s lips curl wickedly, but the bell chimes. And I’m nudged out of my seat by Lira. But I can’t take my eyes off him. What does he know?