Page 102 of Shadow Kissed

I watch as Merlara from north goes next, and she fails at the monkey bars, not having enough upper body strength to get herself all the way across. Captain Loring announces I am up next, and I make my way up to the start of the course. I picture in my mind me tackling each obstacle and passing it with ease until I ring the bell at the end. My childhood days spentbalancing the rooftops of the town with Arkynn will come in handy today. The cannon fires and I waste no time climbing the wall, having mapped my way up it earlier. I reach the platform and take a step back and then run and spring into the air then land on the first platform. A raindrop hits my face. You have got to be kidding me? It hardly ever rains here in the south. Another rain drop hits my head. It looks like the Mother Goddess is determined to test me today! I leap across the rest of the columns without a wrong step as the rain comes down heavier. Clutching the monkey bars is challenging in wet conditions, but I make it across and hoist myself onto the platform. I stare at the large balance board, now soaked with rain. It looks slippery. I know not to hesitate on this one and to move with speed and confidence. I make it across. I think I did it faster than Eilana. The rope climb is next, and it’s no easy feat when the rain is pouring down on top of me, but I make it to the top without slipping down once. Next is the carousel. This should be an easier one for me with my sword fighting skills. I was an old hat at ducking and diving from Arkynn and his swift sword moves. I bend and twist and contort my body to avoid the spikes on the carousel, and apart from one snagging and tearing my top at my side, I make it across. I can hear cheering in the background, but I tune it out, needing to focus on the final challenges—the planks and the ramp. I look up at the wooden tower and picture my brothers waiting for me up there, and it spurs me on. Jumping onto the plank, I throw my arms out for balance and then I sprint to the middle and give it a moment to settle before I make the sprint down the other side and leap onto the other waiting plank; I land funny on my ankle and I experience a brief sharp pain, but I don’t have time to waste. Seizing the rope, I grip it in my hand. The rain has made it even slipperier than intended. I grasp on and haul myself up, using my legs to maintain a sturdy grounding as I climb the steep ramp like it’s the only thingstanding between me and the life I’d choose for myself. And then I’m at the foot of the bell tower. I sprint up there as fast as I can, soaked through from the rain and panting for breath, and I let out a cry of relief when I ring that bell, and the crowd below erupts into cheers of celebration. I pump my fist in the air to them all below and take a much-needed drink before I make my way down the tower steps down to the bottom of the course.

“Well done, Miss Lockwood. Impressive,” Captain Loring says. “I think you may have won yourself an army of admirers in our men.”

“It’s nice to see that we women are being recognised for more than our dance and sewing skills,” I reply, as I wring out my wet hair with my hands. I sense a touch of shadows at my wrist before they engulf me, and when they withdraw, I’m completely dry.

“Thank you, Commander,” I say, turning to face Raegal, who has remained quiet up to now. I don’t need to see which man those shadows came from. As soon as they touch my skin, I know who they belong to.

He nods his head before he strides off to confer with the timekeeper. Eilana walks over to me grinning and offers me her hand. “I knew you’d be my chief competition. I think you were the fastest.”

I place my hand in hers, and we shake. “I had the benefit of watching and learning from you, though.”

Captain Loring walks over to us and place a hand on both of our shoulders. “In my eyes ladies, you are both winners because you are the only two females ever to complete the gauntlet.”

I bob my head, impressed. “It was fun and good to have a challenge.”

Eilana laughs. “I thought dance class was challenging enough for you.”

“Oh, that it is,” I agree, joining in with her laughter.

“Ladies and gentlemen,” Raegal announces. “We have our winner confirmed.”

Everyone goes quiet as we wait to hear whether the east or west dorm will be the winners. My heart thunders in my chest. I don’t want to let my team down.

“And the winner, by a six second difference, is Miss Eretreya Lockwood of West district!” Raucous applause and cheers break out from the crowd and I’m all at once, surrounded by Saveya and the girls who all enclose me in a group hug.

“We knew you’d smash it! You did amazingly, Reya!” Tyria grins. “Thank you so much.”

I bat away her comment with a jerk of my head. “I couldn’t let you all down.”

Alora looks at me and her eyes soften. “If you’d have lost, we’d have still been super proud of you for trying your best, Reya. You don’t have to prove anything to us to have our friendship.”

I swallow, my heart squeezing in my chest. Is this what it feels like to belong?

“Now, ladies, as well as your points, we are gifting you a prize of your choosing,” Captain Loring informs us as we pull apart from our team hug.

I glance over at the girls and Tyria nonchalantly bobs her shoulders. “You choose. It’s only right.”

I chew on my lip. I should choose something girly, like a pampering day or a day of shopping, but neither of those things leave my lips when I speak. “My girls and I would like a night of celebration at the inn.”

Captain Loring’s eyebrows rocket heavenwards. “Well, I, uh, we’ll have to determine if that is suitable.”

“They can have their night in the inn, captain,” Raegal tells him, coming up behind him and placing a hand on his shoulder. “A little revelry won’t do any harm.”

Loring looks unconvinced, but he nods and doesn’t question his commander’s word. “We shall ask the innkeeper to close the inn to the public.”

“Nonsense,” I say, and I don’t miss the deep frown he sends my way. “I mean. We wouldn’t want to upset the locals and besides, where’s the fun of an empty inn?”

“Agreed,” Raegal says. “The ladies will be fine, Captain. Jasiel and I will escort them and ensure they are safe.”

Loring nods his head and walks away grumbling to himself.

“Ladies, let’s get you back to the mansion so you can freshen up,” Raegal suggests, ushering us closer to him so that he can shadow weave us back home.

We arrive back at the mansion, and Moryen steps into the hallway when we arrive. She fights a smile at our brimming excitement, and Saveya excitedly tells her how amazing I was. Raegal asks Moryen if he can have a word and the girls make for the stairs. I linger back and touch his elbow as follows in behind Moryen.

“Thank you. For today. I know that happened because of you,” I say. “It was the best day.”

Raegal looks down at me and he smiles. He reaches out and runs his finger under my chin. “I’m finding making you smile is one of my favourite things to do, Terror. Now go be with your friends and enjoy your victory.”

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