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“I can’t believe he’s saved himself,” the commentator calls. “What a climber! What a miraculous recovery!”
I cheer for all I’m worth as he hauls himself over the lip at the top of the climb.
“That was incredible! He’s knocked more than two minutes off Hanazon’s time!”
The crowd is on its feet.
“What a spectacular performance by Renxel Garome! We only have one more competitor left, but I doubt he can beat that incredible time!”
I barely watch the final climber. It’s obvious from the start that he’s not a match for Renxel. He takes the safe route and opts for a time that will take him through to the next round rather than trying to perform a miracle and beat Renxel's time.
Renxel is announced as the winner. He looks good up on the podium, accepting his trophy. He turns his head so the camera gets his best angle, and I remember the cocky Kiphian who sauntered into the inn last night.
Once I’m clear of the masses, I make my way toward home. I need a shower before the crowds hit the bar tonight.
“Mira!” someone behind me calls.
The voice is instantly recognizable. I’m shocked that he would seek me out. “Hey,” I reply.
“Did you see me?” he demands, his chest puffed up and a grin splitting his face from ear to ear.
I roll my eyes. “Yeah, you did okay, I suppose,” I tell him, trying to suppress my grin.
“Okay? I was amazing!” he tells me.
I laugh in spite of myself. “Okay, it was awesome. Well done,” I concede.
He whoops and punches the air. “I knew you’d love watching me!”
Shaking my head, I turn away. “If you’re not careful, you won’t be able to carry that big head of yours up the next ice wall,” I tell him over my shoulder.
“You’ll have to come and watch the next one to find out,” he calls after me.
I walk away grinning. I’m amazed he left his victory party and well-wishers to come and find me. I feel my heart wrap around the thought like tendrils, storing the gesture away to keep me smiling through my long shift later.
5
RENXEL
Mira walks away with a flick of her hair. I’m so pleased she watched me, but it’s a bit annoying that she's not hanging around after. I know she has to work, but really, I put everything I had into that climb just to impress her.
My gaze lingers on her ass as I follow her retreating back. I’m pretty sure she knows I’m watching her because she has a rather exaggerated swing to her hips.
“Enjoying the view?” Callum asks, making me jump.
“What’s not to like?” I reply.
“Well, it’s human for a start,” he says, his lip curling.
The comment earns him a punch on the arm.
“Alright, alright, whatever fuels your ship,” he says, rubbing his bruised limb. “Come on, you’re missing your own victory party.”
There’s a stagger in my step by the time I enter the bar much later on. I’ve been drinking for hours, and there is a little part of my brain jumping up and down, warning me that this is a bad idea. I ignore it.
The bar is still busy, but I manage to grab Mira by the arm as she walks past with a tray of drinks.
“Steady,” she says. “You were so close to wearing those drinks.”
