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I slide into the electric blue water, warmth instantly penetrating my sore muscles. For a time, tranquility reigns as we float weightlessly, enraptured by the beauty. Shimmering rivulets feed the pools, the mineral deposits creating prismatic cascades. Luminous lichens coat the surrounding rocks.
Of course, such a rare refuge draws all desperate souls on this ruthless mountain. Before long, more aspirants arrive. I puff my chest as the boastful Renxel saunters forth, the last person on Kiphia I wanted to see.
"So, enjoying your little dip in the hot tub, are you?" Renxel sneers, his tone condescending as he dives in fearlessly. “First time? It really shows.”
Davin rolls his eyes, muttering under his breath. "What a charmer."
“Give me a lock of his hair, I can make him pay for his rudeness,” Lila offers.
“It’s fine.” I laugh. “Fate, as you would say, has a way of sorting itself out, does it not?”
“Good point,” she agrees. “Fate can be infinitely more cruel.”
I remain quiet, not giving Renxel the attention he craves. He wants me to show my bad side and get angry. Take the bait. I try to remind myself that our true rivals are the mountains and the unforgiving challenges, not each other.
Renexel is in the middle of boasting about his racing prowess when a splash catches our attention. There in the shadows lurks Iara, a knowing smile playing on her lips. Before we can react, she steps forward and disrobes in one smooth motion, fully displaying her athletic physique.
I avert my eyes, but Renxel gazes freely as she slips gracefully into the water. "Well, looks like we have a newcomer," he says approvingly.
Iara doesn't seem to mind his stare. "Hope you don't mind me dropping in," she says coyly as she sinks into the warmth with a contented sigh.
“A woman of mystery. I like that," Renxel says, eyeing Iara appreciatively as they chat.
She seems to bask in his obvious attraction, flashing him a coy smile. "Don't judge a book by its cover."
Renxel leans in, clearly enthralled by her evasive answers and alluring demeanor. "Somehow I doubt you're as innocent as you seem."
"Careful, curiosity killed the cat." Her tone is light yet underlined with a subtle challenge. They continue their flirtatious back-and-forth while I look on, jaw clenched. Renxelis clearly thrilled by Iara's coy repartee. My stomach churns with jealousy.That’s my mate.
But I have no claim over Iara.
I never had. I gave up any right when I turned my back.
Still, that fact does little to temper the bitter envy simmering within me.
Trying to appear unfazed, I stretch leisurely and stand. "Well, I should get moving. Still have a race to win."
I keep my tone casual, but my emotions churn. I give a shorter goodbye to Lila and Davin than I want, unable to do more, and gather my gear.
Iara and Renxel carry on, oblivious to my turmoil. Her lilting laugh follows me as I walk away alone.
I have no one to blame but myself for this torment. Squaring my shoulders, I continue onward, trying in vain to silence the jealous pangs that plague my steps.
18
IARA
The relentless winds threaten to tear the very breath from my lungs as Renxel and I labor upward. Sheer cliffs drop thousands of feet on all sides, leaving no room for error.
Up here, the line between life and death is often only inches wide.
Loose shale slides treacherously under our feet as we pick our path carefully along the precipitous ridge. Any misstep could mean catastrophe, as many fallen aspirants can attest to. The mountains suffer no hesitation or weakness.
With his perfectly chiseled form, he leaps and bounds up the mountain like it’s nothing at all. On the next ledge, that’s just out of reach, he bends down to offer me a hand.
"Well, well, seems you aren't completely self-absorbed after all," I quip as I get my footing.
"And here I thought you humans were supposed to be delicate.” He laughs. “Yet you've got a sharp tongue on you."
