Chapter 30

"The wound is sealed." The nymph raises the mold-green elixir. "This tonic contains phytochemical allantoin that will aid your recovery but it is a potent mixture. It will disorient you before it renders you cold. Take it before you slumber, the more rest the better."

I nod, lying on my side on the cot. "Thank you."

She deposits it on the bedside table, then turns around to address him.

"I will retrieve you one as well, then you are both released to your chambers."

She moves away, revealing Solaris reclining on the cot next to me. The infirmary accommodates a row of white-clothed single beds, occupied by bruised and battered Herems. The open ceiling is nothing but sheet-like drapes strung over at spacious intervals.

"I swear on my forefathers," he says with a half-humoured smile. "Brennon, he ought to count his days."

The jolt from a laugh clamps down on my wound. "You're too good of a man to repay him in kind."

"And what of you?"

"Thank the seas that I'm not a man."

He looks back at me with a look of worry and wonder. 

"How did you get here?"

Solaris smiles, hand cemented to his stomach. "I found Markivues, then the others found me. I was assailed more by hands than hidden deadfalls."

He looks over at me, comforting me with his crippled smile.

"Do not look so sad, at least I was not impaled."

I laugh jaggedly, pain prickles at my stomach. "Don't humor me."

The tournament ended with Dario as the champion. As a reward, an elite banquet will be held in the honor of the Virdi Victor in the coming days. For now, we are given a recess to prepare for the banquet, with only Terra nobility in attendance. And for us conquered candidates to heal from the fresh wound of defeat. This will be the only chance I get to rest before then and my body desperately needs it.

I force myself upright. "I need my bed."

"I'll escort you—"

"You will not." Vince leans against the frame of the archway with his arms crossed. "You need to await your medication. I will accompany the Hera to her chambers."

"Wouldn't you like that," Solaris spits out.

"Though your chivalry is appreciated. I don't need aid." My eyes spear through Vince. "Especially not from you."

A frown flits across his face. "It was not intended as a slight. I am very aware that you need no man's help, Hera. I believe it will ease both Solaris and I to know you are safe."

Solaris doesn't argue.

I hoist myself to my feet, taking the elixir and hobbling to the exit, shouldering past him. Only when we reach the lofted bridges am I able to navigate the way to the annex and back to my chambers at the very end.

"How is it that not a single bruise marks your body?" I throw a glare back at him. "Your face, untouched."

"You say that as if it would distort my features," he says with a semi-smug smirk. "Well, the Herems wouldn't dare obstruct me and the deadfalls I survived easily enough."

"Are you gloating?"

"I never have to."

I groan internally.

"Which one of them stabbed you?"

I glance at him sideways. "Why?"

"So I shall reciprocate his deed in equal measure." He meets my gaze briefly. "A cowardice deed that I am as certain as the sun will rise tomorrow that it was Markivues."

I conjure a smile. "You are smarter than you look, Herem."

He gives me a cheeky grin. In due course, we reach the archway to my chambers and he respectfully remains within it like a self-imposed boundary. I stroll to the bed afloat and slip on it. Vince observes me, shoulder resting against the frame with his chin raised.

"Would you like for me to join you?" he asks with a sultry smile. "For your safekeeping, of course."

I uncup the glass elixir. "I would rather take a blade to the gut again."

Vince nods with a crooked grin. "Insolent as you are resilient." He shoots me a confident wink. "I will return to check on you before the banquet."

He recedes. I take a swig of the tonic, nestling into the cushioned bed. I relax, patiently waiting for its effects to inundate me in sleep. Soon a fog washes over me and I sink deep. Alarm reaches for me in the haze, permitting me to see a figure at the archway. I narrow my eyes, the effects taking a serious toll, clouding my clarity.

"Vince?" I utter, breathing the word.

The wood whines. The figure stalks towards me with full menace in his stride.

A feral face bursts in front of me. Rimnick.

"You think you can ambush and make a fool out of me. And still walk?"

I lurch forward. He pushes me back down without effort. Biliousness billowing in my mind, shutting down my body each function at a time. His hand pins my own above my head whilst his other claims my neck, gripping gradually. My vision quivers with flashes of black. He lifts himself up to climb upon me, straddling me, his knees on either side of my hips.

Rimnick comes too close, his lips grazing the shell of my ear, hissing, "Did I not warn you of the consequences of what should happen if I were to capture you?"

My mouth falls open. A silent, strangled scream tries to make its escape, but it's diminished to nothing but a rasping breath. His life-threatening hold on my throat cuts off my air supply. A surge of panic blazes through me, dread shredding my insides.

"You shamed me in front of all those green savages. But we both know I cannot kill you. And although I would love nothing more than to hear you beg. But I know of a way that will remind you to never dare cross me again." His death grip tautens. "Your punishment will be my pleasure as it will have you completely surrendered to me."

The edge of my vision goes dark. I can feel my esophagus closing with every breath stolen, morsels of my life torn from my lungs, flaming pain explodes within, coursing through me. Horror gnawing at my insides.

I must stay awake. I must fight.

Blood pounds in my ears. My heart thunders in my chest.

I must stay... awake. I must...fight.

He drops his voice to a dangerously low whisper.

"If you will not give me a part of you, willingly. I will just have to take it."

Summoning all my strength, thrashing violently, I try to pry off his hand, scratching, beating, clawing, but his merciless siege will not relent. My hands soon become lame, numbly stroking at his wrist. Amused by my breathless desperation to escape him. His sickening cackle blares into my ear, ricocheting throughout my body.

I can barely breathe, let alone scream for help as he slithers backwards. Rough hands lift the ends of my gown. My eyelids flutter close, consciousness fleeing my grasp.

Darkness consumes my vision.