“Show off!” I called out. Then launched forward, landing directly in front of her, flashing her a wide grin over my shoulder, my claws digging into the white stone.
Remnant let out a startled gasp, skittering to prevent herself from crashing into me and then banked in an arc right over the wide street to the building next to us. Tucking herself into a roll she tumbled and then leapt to her feet, up and running again.
“It will take more than that, shifter!” She smiled widely across the street from me, meeting me stride for stride.
My pounding heart stuttered at the radiance of her in the moment. She rivaled the very sun, the light of the stars, and the three moons above. I was never again going to let that light die from her eyes.
I also wasn’t about to let her win. My plan was still perfectly in place.
Breathing deep and using my own stamina, I performed my own series of flips with precision and perfect timing.
Her distracted gaze settled on me when more of my court cheered.
Three.
I flipped over the street and landed right next to her, forcing her to stumble and veer away onto another building. The crowd below gasped, some running along the streets with us.
She gave me an annoyed side glance.
Two.
I purred and twisted toward her again. Arching right into her path with a wink. She veered again, leaping onto the building in front of her, her attention fully on me now.
One.
I roared with laughter when she disappeared with a loud splash of water following her wake.
Just as I had planned.
That purple flag was all mine…and so was my kiss.
Chapter 43
OnemomentIwasrunning, the next I was fully submerged in the crystal blue depths of a rooftop pool. Choking on the frigid cold water I sprung from the bottom of the pool upwards, sputtering when I broke the surface and swimming towards the edge.
I was going to kill that shifter! King or not.
He knew. Of course he knew. His outlandish flips and constant careening into my path were all part of his strategy to herd me straight into this pit of water. No doubt he had made it to the flag by now. I was only a few roofs away from my victory before landing here.
Sighing, I decided to rest my head and arms on the stone surface of the pool to enjoy the warmth of the morning sunrise while the cold water soothed the tension in my body.
I sighed again with content. Maybe it was worth losing.
A shadow passed over me and blocked the sun.
“I take it you enjoyed your morning swim, little umbra?”
I flipped my wet ponytail off my face to see the smug shifter king waving the purple flag at me.
“You tell me…” I waved my hand and my shadows materialized into existence only to shove the shifter king face first into the pool. “...how it feels, your majesty.” I snickered and rested my head back down on my arms.
Sputtering he emerged from the water, shaking his wet body with a reverberating growl. “How…refreshing.”
Not bothering to open my eyes, I snorted. “You cheated.”
“So did you.” He rumbled suddenly next to me.
I peeked open my eyes to see him mirroring my relaxed state. Everything about him was brilliant and vibrant. I felt like I was trapped staring at the sun and if I looked much longer I would be burned by the purity of his soul and—goddess help me, I wanted to burn. I wanted to live in the light of the world he continued to hold open for me.
