“Those Underworld beasts will pay. I’ll be surprised if both the Jord and Terraguard Lords even show up to the Presentation. And the Elves… they cannot be trusted, though I think they arestarting to suspect us.” Markus pauses, and I hold my breath until he continues.
“The first task is going to be outsmarting various magical creatures. The Elves from Forest Tribe are going to allow us to use some riderless rocs from their aerial legion. The River Tribe hasn't decided yet but likely the shape shifting kelpies. From the Underworld, the Jord Lord insists on his ghosthounds, and the Terraguard Lord hasn’t responded to my inquiry yet.”
“Hmm, do you think he'll dare bring up an Erebos?” the woman asks hesitantly, a hint of fear in her voice.
“What did I just say, Elder Hightail?” Markus chides, “It is not decided, and if I knew, I would tell you. Regardless, are we in agreement? That you’ll select Castor as your champion?”
A pause of hesitation, then Elder Hightail answers, “Of course.”
“Good. Then it is settled. I will make sure Castor is paired with a kelpie and poison the water beforehand so the task is easily won. I need Castor at the top of the ranks. The Helios Blessing stone is the closest thing to a Starwatcher we have. And I want that leverage in my bloodline. A human bloodline.”
“Understood, Elder Superior,” Elder Hightail replies.
Their steps fade away, and I don’t move or breathe until I hear the faint click of the hatch. Though my mind is splintering into a million different directions, I know I need to commit every last detail to memory.
Luckily, I have a great memory. At least when I try to.
I stand and a groan of pain escapes my lips. My body is singing with aches from the overexertion on the course then forcing myself to lie still.
Only when I’m confident the way is clear do I sneak back toward my room. I cannot help but turn over and over the conversation I just heard. Magical creatures? From the Elves,kelpies and rocs, and from the Underworld, ghosthounds and erebos?
Surely there were tales of these creatures from my studies… but as I sneak along the corridors, nothing comes to mind. I need to find out more and warn Castor. Tell him that his father is lobbying Elder Hightail to pick him as her Champion. That he plans to cheat for the first task.
Why does he need to win so badly? And why is the Helios Blessing stone the closest thing to a Starwatcher?
I fail to find the connection to much of what I heard, but one thing was certain—Markus was conspiring to unfairly swing the first trial in his son’s favor.
I need to see Castor now.
It only took asking a few questions of the early risers walking around the Academy to point me to Castor's room.
I knock on the door lightly. “Castor? It’s Akemi. Are you awake?”
A faint creek of a bed frame and footsteps escape from the other side of the door.
Castor swings the door open and leans against the frame in nothing but sinfully low hanging pants, framing two long lines of muscles from his hips to down beneath his waistband.
Shit!My eyes were lingering a little too long. My cheeks flush.
He reaches toward me and lightly grasps my elbows. I stifle a wince at the pain zinging through my ligaments from landing on my elbow a few days ago. “What is it? Are you okay?”
“I’m okay. Well, a little sore, but okay.”
He doesn’t look convinced.
“No honestly, I’m fine,” I reassure him and tilt my chin up to his gaze. “Can I come in? I want to talk with you.”
If he is surprised by my forwardness, he does not show it. After all, we did sleep practically wedged against one another on our journey here.
I would never admit to him that I think about those nights often. That I miss the touch of his body against my back, blocking me from the crisp night winds or lurking animals.
He simply steps aside and I walk in. His leather and spice scent surrounds me.
Castor’s room is large but simple. A disheveled bed, a small seating area, fireplace, and most interestingly, a balcony.
“Beautiful,” I say, walking toward the views. The forest-filled mountainsides are cloaked in the last bit of moonlight before the sun fully rises. My breath hitches as I look down. The balcony hangs off the side of the Watch.
“It is,” he whispers. His tone is softer than usual. I glance at him, only to find him looking back at me.
