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King Kieran’s laugh was cruel. “By not stopping Curry, you’re as guilty as he is.”
Stopping Curry. He’d kept refilling my drink before it ever got empty, but I hadn’t thought much about it because the juice was delicious. I hadn’t realized it was alcohol. I couldn’t believe how foolish I’d been. I never let my guard down, and the one time I did, it was with people I’d be fighting the next day. Being hungover would embarrass me more before I died publicly.
My eyes burned. I’d been so careless. Ever since I was sixteen and found Stan, I’d sworn I’d never become a victim. That I could be smarter than the bullies. But on my first night here and alone, I hadn’t seen the signs. Hadn’t even looked for them.
I’d stumbled into the hallway and was preparing to ascend the stairs when King Kieran caught up to walk beside me.
I waited for a condescending comment or a joke, but he didn’t say a word. He merely kept the pace I set without one complaint. This was strange. No one here ever let me be. They were either warning me of things, talking strategy, or peppering me with questions about anything and everything.
Being with someone in silence was one of the nicest things I’d experienced since arriving here.
At the stairway, he gestured for me to go ahead of him.
“You’ll be faster, and I’m sure you’re in a hurry to head to your room,” I said slowly to make sure I didn’t slur a single word. I needed to retain some dignity.
“After what happened at dinner, I think it’s best if I ensure you make it to your room before retiring to mine.” He placed a hand on the center of my back and guided me forward. “I’ll be right here, so don’t worry about falling.”
I shouldn’t trust him, but I found myself obeying. I clutched the banister with one hand and took the steps one by one. Thankfully, we didn’t pass anyone else. After what felt like hours of the hardest workout of my entire life, I made it to the top.
My head had cleared a little, and I wobbled to my door and started fishing the key out of my cleavage. When I glanced up, my jaw dropped because King Kieran had a smile on his face. It was breathtaking. If I’d thought he was handsome before, it was nothing compared to this moment. The frost was gone, and he showed no restraint.
Which meant I had to be plastered because I was seeing things.
“Are you always so …” He trailed off, his brow furrowing as he searched for the right word. “Tasteful?”
I scoffed and lifted the key from my bra. “First off, this is a highly functional storage place. With a bra this tight, nothing will ever fall out of it. And second, if someone tries to get the key, I’ll know.”
“Even when they’re refilling your spirits so generously?” He arched a brow, the smile still blinding.
“You’re so hand—” I cut myself off, but not in time. I swallowed.
His brows arched higher.
I needed to shut this down and get in my room, stat. I cleared my throat. “You’re so handy to have around to get me out of a pickle.”
“Pickle?” His face fell. “What’s that?”
“Just a delicious vegetable from Earth.” Was it a vegetable? It was a cucumber, but it had seeds. From what I remembered, anything with seeds was technically a fruit. At this point, I was drunk and rambling. “Anyway, I didn’t know the drink was spirits. I thought it was juice. It tasted like water but a little sweeter.”
“I’m sure you won’t forget the taste now.” He leaned against the wall, studying me.
That strange tugging returned, urging me to close the distance. His gaze landed on my lips, and I licked them, giving in to the tug as I reached for his hand.
He jerked back, putting ten feet between us.
My face burned, and I wanted to die right then and there. I had totally misread the situation, and it wasn’t completely the alcohol’s fault. It wasn’t my imagination—there was something sizzling between us.
“You need to get some rest.” He gestured to the door then thrust his hands in his suit pockets. “I’ll see you in the morning.”
“Right.” I clutched the key. “When we try to kill each other.” That was the wake-up call I needed. Whatever was between us—which was likely one-sided—it couldn’t amount to anything. We wouldn’t both be alive at the end of this competition.
He flinched before he smoothed his expression into a mask of indifference. “Yes. That. Get some rest. You’re going to need it. There’s no telling what tomorrow will bring.”
I should’ve been offended, but his words were laced with care. He truly wanted me to do everything I could to be as prepared as possible. “Okay. Good night, King Kieran.”
His breath caught, and he swallowed. His Adam’s apple bobbing.
I slipped the key into my door and unlocked it. Just before I shut it behind me, he stepped toward the entry.
