Page 58 of A Match Made in Error

The Moirai appear behind us, clearly thinking they need to forcibly remove us from the arena if they are to continue the day’s trial with the other contestants.

“Well done, Riven,” the Mother coos gently.

“Well done?” the same male contestant mocks. “They didn’t do anything, and his magical tantrum broke the illusion.”

“I consider his rule-breaking as a sign of true devotion.” The Maiden blinks her large eyes affectionately at us, head tilting to the side as she considers us.

“An unmistakable sign of devotion, indeed,” the Crone adds, a wicked twinkle in her eyes like she’s cooking something up. My face heats undeniably. I’m certain even the contestants at the very top of the arena can see it. This isn’t true devotion, at least not for him. It was instinct. A warrior's drive to protect. “Just for fun, let’s see their heart rates again.”

“Please, let’s not.” But my ask falls on deaf ears when the crystals above us begin to palpitate with the monitoring of our hearts.

“Take your seats,” the Crone all but orders, leaving our heart rate monitors going as the next couple makes their way to the stage.

“My heart rate monitor is basically screaming. Yours is flat as a calm pond again.” I’m trying to tease, but I can hear the hint of annoyance leaking through my voice.

“I’m a trained soldier. Remember, foxhole, staying calm to avoid death?” He waves it off dismissively before grabbing my hand.

“And because I don’t affect you? Right?” I bite out quickly. So quickly, Riven flinches as if slapped. I move quickly up the stairs and slide into a row at the top of the amphitheater beside a gushing Aoife and gobsmacked Noah.

“For their efforts,” the Crone begins, eying the heart rate monitor and looking at the place Riven’s magic broke through hers. “A fifteen.”

“Respectable,” the Maiden adds. “Next time, let’s try not to break the simulation.”

“That was mental!” Aoife giggles. I smile, hoping the perceptive fae woman beside me doesn’t sense the emotion behind my eyes.

“Do you think our challenge will be like that?” Noah’s voice rises an octave. “Because I’ve never fought anything a day in my life.”

“I wouldn’t worry, love.” Aoife turns to calm Noah, leaving Riven and me in our own bubble once more.

He leans in. Too close. Always too close. His voice is soft when he says, “I never said that you didn’t affect me.” He scoots over so that our thighs are touching and our breaths are mingled. “Ask me.”

I can’t.

I can’t know the answer.

Because either way, it will ruin us.

“Don’t,” I warn quietly.

“Don’t what?” Give me hope.

“We should watch the next match.” I peel my eyes from him and try to focus on the labyrinth Angora and her lord have been placed in.

It’s so much easier to see the mechanics of the simulation from the outside. Each decision Angora and Erik make in the arena sends a score between zero and twenty flashing on the crystal above the arena.

They’re walking down a busy city street, complete with non-engaged civilians left and right. A puddle as wide as the sidewalk appears, and when Erik jumps over it to avoid getting his shoes dirty, a five flashes on the screen above. The other matches boo as he keeps walking, not helping Angora make it over the puddle herself.

Why couldn’t this have been Riven's and my challenge?

It seems like their challenge is getting over themselves enough to be a thoughtful partner, while Riven had to battle literal monsters. And destroyed the simulation in the process…that’s definitely not going to win us any points with the Moirai.

Maybe we didn’t get a simulation like that because it would be too easy for him. Riven would never be so careless. Thanks to his gentlemanly upbringing, consideration for ladies is second nature to him, especially for those of us he cares about.

Just friends, though.

Don’t overthink it.

My heart picks up again, and I forcefully focus on the contest instead of the heat rippling off the fae male beside me. You’d think, for a shadow fae, he’d be cold and morose, but no—my best friend had to be sunshine incarnate in every way.