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I might as well take advantage of the space while I was alone.
Like how the flip of a switch had the ability to change a room from total darkness to dazzling illumination, a beat pounded in my head. I was no longer running in circles—I was practicing my craft. My heavy steps turned to graceful kicks. Sure, my pace slowed to a crawl, but it felt good to throw my arms out and move my neck.
Kick, jump, twist.
I added a turn, and then another. And then a third, which finished in a leap.
My heart had been pounding in tune with the exercise before, but now it beat in time with the beauty of movement. My mind swam with silent music, and a drum pounded through my soul.
For a moment, as I danced around the track, I metamorphosed.
Fear existed.
So did love. And anger. Sadness. Joy. All coupled with the burning in my chest, arms, and thighs.
Magic swirled inside of me. Making up who I was.
Until I was free for a few moments.
The sports center fell away, as did the tournament and my life.
Then I crossed the finish line.
Breath whooshed in and out of me as the imaginary music departed. I bent over to stretch out my legs before embarking on a cool down lap just as clapping broke out behind me, followed by a whistle.
I tore around. Dread was like acid in my veins. Had Antonio been watching me waste time? He didn’t seem like the type to whistle at a woman.
A young man with deep dimples on his cheeks and a pink mouth was standing at the entrance to the track. I recognized him in an instant. He’d spent an entire day keeping me company, after all.
“Isaac?” I asked, just to be sure. His attire was like mine, but he filled out the clothes with impressive muscle tone and excellent genes.
His close-mouthed smile turned into a proper grin. “Renata. The intruder who swooped in and stole everybody’s prize.” He canted his head to the side. “Though perhaps I underestimated you. I had no idea you had such a talent for dancing.”
My racing pulse quickened, cause my skin to flush harder. “Thank you.”
He took a few steps toward me. “My, haven’t you transformed into a polite and polished little creature? Makes the whole princess angle some of the tabloids are pushing more credible. Did you dance for Antonio Castillas when you went into that room?” His gaze traveled down my body, snagging in a few places that made my spine tingle.
My lips pressed together, and I glared at him. There were so many words on the tip of my tongue, but I didn’t want to get in trouble. I settled on, “Don’t call me a creature. Or a princess.” Then I looked behind him and found the space empty. “Where is your trainer?” I snapped.
His eyes gleamed. “There you are.” He took another step toward me, but all feelings of friendliness had retreated. “Don’t worry. Anyone who knows anything doesn’t believe the royalty nonsense. The line of kings is good and truly over.”
The back of my neck prickled. We shouldn’t be talking. I barely knew him. He was a predator, and I was prey. I was lonely, and my mind was latching onto anything familiar I could locate within a five-hundred meter radius. He would stab me in the back like everyone else.
“It’s wonderful to see you again, Isaac Monroy. But I need to get back upstairs and meet with my trainer. Maybe we can chat later,” I said quickly and tried to push past the young man with wavy blond hair.
He maneuvered to block my path. “Your trainer? What a stunning understatement to use for working withtheSeñor Antonio Armando Castillas Morales. If I were you, I would parade working with Antonio around until everyone was more sick of me than they already are. What lessons you must learn from that personified stone?”
Isaac was shockingly tall, so I had to look up with my mouth open. No words came out. What was I supposed to say? Antonio intimidated me, but he wasn’t a master trainer. He barely helped me at all.
The corners of his mouth quirked up. “Well, it’s nice to see that you aren’t immune to all men. Perhaps the Canciller will make you Antonio’s next wife.”
I choked on my breath. Antonio’s next wife? “What? No.” Antonio was elevated far above me, even though I was now considered an Élite. I sputtered. “He is still mourning his first wife, and I am in no position to fill that gap. He can barely stand me.”
Isaac laughed. “They say that you spent all your finishing years abroad. I suppose that three or four winters away is enough to make you forget the realities of life in the Arrebol Commonwealth.” He spoke to me like I was a child, and then stepped in closer. “What does marriage have to do with liking each other? Why do you think they put together Antonio and Beleza in the first place?”
“We’re done speaking,” I grumbled, and shoved past him.
I didn’t glimpse the look on his face, but I imagined it was something akin to being stunned.
