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“I guess I should get going then,” I offer, shuffling in place, and chew the corner of my lip.
My father nods and steps forward, wrapping me in a tight embrace. I jerk in surprise at the gesture, taken aback slightly. I return the hug, wrapping my arms around him to rest on his back, the fine material of his designer suit smooth against my palms. He pulls back a few inches, training his gaze on mine and holding it, his hands sliding to lightly grasp my biceps.
“You remember what I taught you, right?”
I nod, running the instructions over in my head again, and pull on the familiar feeling of funneling my power into strengthening my lean muscles.
“And if anything happens, you look for my signal. I’ll let you know when the wards are down for you.” He holds my gaze until I nod in affirmation. He takes a step back and straightens out the arms of his suit, schooling his face back into his usual look of impassivity.
I turn to the others, my mouth popping open, not exactly sure what to say. Kyros saves me from the awkward jumble of words that wish to tumble from my lips and wraps me up in a tight embrace. I inhale deeply, tucking my face into his chest, letting his scent of sandalwood wash over me.
“You’ll do great,” he murmurs into my hair, his breath lightly brushing over the top of my head. I nod, accepting his comforting words, my cheeks brushing against the soft fabric of his grey cashmere sweater. I reluctantly slip out of his hold, wishing I could stay there for a few moments longer.
I step towards Mateo and Adrian, unsure of what I should say to the two of them. Tension hangs between myself and the two blood brothers.
A jolt of shock runs through me as Mateo wastes no time wrapping me up into his arms. His thickly corded muscles bunching around me as he squeezes me tightly against his chest. I wrap my arms around him, and his cool leather armor calms me as it presses against my skin.
“Kick their asses, little mate,” he whispers against the top of my head before abruptly stepping away. The sudden absence of his warmth wrapped around me chills my skin, causing goosebumps to pebble on my arms. I step back, putting some distance between myself and his intoxicating scent of smoke and cinnamon. He rubs a hand through his cropped brown hair as though he’s calming. I take a deep breath, attempting to clear the fog of confusion that has settled over me. Mateo’s recent actions are throwing me for a loop.
I turn my gaze to Adrian, my eyes softening as I take in the way he shuffles on his feet, moving from one to the other, his hand anxiously rubbing the back of his neck. Noticing my gaze, his hand drops to his side, yet, he doesn’t approach.
“Good luck,” he says simply, holding my gaze for a moment before looking away, acting as though something interesting just pulled his attention to the empty corner of the tent. I back away and nod, unsure if he can even see the gesture. I can’t let my thoughts linger on his aloof send-off.
Maximus’ arm wraps around my shoulders, and I’m instantly relieved at the touch, helping to take my mind off the spreading ache in my chest. I tip my head up to meet his gaze, and his emerald green eyes are surprisingly soft as he looks down at me.
“I’ll walk with you,” he grumbles, gently guiding me to the tent opening.
He turns his head, darting a look over his shoulder. His face is an impenetrable mask when he turns back, giving no hint to what the glance meant.
The sun warms my skin as we step out of the shaded tent. The crowds from a few moments before have died down, leaving only a few straggling students making their way through the entrance. Maximus’ sure and steady grip around my shoulders doesn’t let me hesitate as I walk through the ornate marble archway and into the outdoor arena, my eyes are drawn up to the elevated seating carved of stone. A sea of students are already seated, and my gaze roves over their forms. Most are too far away to make out their features.
“Liv,” a feminine voice shouts my name from the seats behind us. I turn, seeing Kali standing and waving emphatically over to me. I return her wave. The rest of my friends are beside her, jumping up and down in an attempt to get my attention.
I blink in surprise as they raise a sign over their heads on a piece of white bristol board ‘Liv’s our girl’ emblazoned across it in glitter. I shake my head and huff out a breath of amusement, unsure how exactly they got those two materials here. Last I checked there wasn’t an arts and crafts store. I chuckle, my smile widening at their surprise, almost making me forgive them over the whole betting on my love life fiasco.
“Good Luck!” Kali yells, jumping on her toes excitedly, and I notice Stacia beside her. She gives me a small wave, but her gaze hurriedly moves back to Kali, her eyes crinkling with amusement.
“Thanks, guys!” I cup my hand over my mouth to help them hear me over the roar of the crowd around me, and give them a parting wave before Maximus gives me a light tug to keep moving. I unwillingly turn back, wishing I could join the fun with my friends rather than having to participate.
Maximus guides me over to a large board filled with black lettering. The lettering is actually names. Each match-up is numbered, and two names follow it. I look back out to the field, noticing small white placards resting on the outside of each ring. I turn back to the board to scan the list, shaking out my arms in hopes of dispelling some of the nervous energy rushing through me. Looking for my name amongst the hundreds of others makes today seem much more real and daunting. I honestly hadn’t even realized there were this many students in the academy, let alone in their final year.
Finally, I spot my name beside ring twenty-nine, and I scan the space beside it. My name readingOlivia Rothchild, the God of...I purse my lips at that, of course they would need to advertise the fact that I’m a god and not a demigod, along with the fact that they don’t know precisely what my power is. Well, they won’t be finding out any time soon if I have anything to say about it. My eyes move to my opponent, William Hall, Demigod of Choice.
I blink at that, my eyes raising to Maximus in a silent question, needing to see if he sees it too. His lips turn down as he reads the board and slides his gaze to mine. Brows creasing in confusion, his lips curl into a snarl. His eyes dart up to the stands before us, and I follow his gaze, finding the council members sitting in a private box just above us. They, of course, sit in plush red chairs with ornate gold carvings for legs and arms. They couldn’t lower themselves to perching on the cool stone benches as the students have to.
My eyes automatically move to Agathon. A smug smirk is plastered on his face, as he undoubtedly is gauging our reaction to my first opponent being his son.
My gaze runs over the rest of them, assessing their reactions. Anastasia glances off to the side, seemingly oblivious to the vicious stares being thrown their way by Maximus. Victor, surprisingly, leans back in his seat, his gaze moving about the crowd, uncaring of our reaction to the first match-up. I quirk my lips. I guess Vicky didn’t want to take the chance of falling flat on his face again.
Helene, sits the closest to the arena’s field. Her gaze holds mine unflinchingly, a cold, calculating gleam in her eyes. My chest tightens at that look, knowing she undoubtedly has a plan or multiple ones.
“Two minute warning, all participating students, please make your way to your assigned rings.”
My breath catches in my throat at the words, my heart pounding against my chest. Before I can register what’s happening, Maximus’ large hand grasps the nape of my neck, pulling me into him. His lips crash into mine hard in a searing, breathtaking kiss. My mouth parts under his, the earlier fear replaced with the heat of desire curling in my stomach as I press my body against his, feeling his firm muscled chest against me.
He breaks the kiss too soon, leaving me panting from the fierce, passionate kiss, communicating the depth of our emotions towards one another.
“Don’t back down,” he growls, his lips hovering just above mine as he keeps me tucked against him. “You do whatever you need to win.”
