Page 39 of Let Me Win You

“I won’t lose,” he said with conviction. “I’m faster than most people know. I excel in competitions, and no one has the motivation that I have to win this.” He cradled me to his chest, placing a kiss on my temple. “I’m the Sin of Envy, sweetheart. Rivalry and competition are deeply rooted in my very essence, and winning is the only goal I’ve ever known. Please, Nic.” He cupped my face, tilting my head back to look deep into my eyes, “Please, let me win you.”

11

Nicole

“You look lovely, Nicole!” Kindness exclaimed, clapping her hands. “Like a real princess.”

Maybe not exactly a princess, but I liked my reflection in the large mirror on the main floor of the virtue’s teahouse.

The white satin of my dress flowed down my body, skimming my curves. The gossamer mint-green overskirt shimmered softly, as did the wide sleeves of the same transparent, light-like-a-cloud material. Silk white lilies decorated the sleeves and the bodice. And I had a matching barrette in my hair.

“This dress is so beautiful.” I smoothed my skirts with my hands, enjoying the glide of the luxurious fabric under my palms

Maybe I did look like a princess, after all. Aswampprincess?

The thought made me smile.

Pandora entered, giving my outfit an assessing glance. “Is this from Invi? Who knew he had such a good taste in clothing? I always thought it was only Sup’s area of expertise.”

“Invi is good at many things,” I replied.

His family seemed to think that Invi spent his time wallowing in envy, tortured by unfulfilled wishes for what he couldn’t have.

Instead, he used envy in the most constructive way—he made it his motivation to better himself. He might not reach his brothers’ level of expertise in each and every thing that they were good at, but he strived to reach and beat his personal best, learning his limitations and improving his skills. Invi tried to be the best he could be, and I admired him for it deeply.

“Well, our mounts are here,” Pandora gestured at the door impatiently. “Let’s get going, shall we?”

Her color changed rapidly in wild bursts this morning, making her flowing garments and unbound hair look like the tiny supernovas were exploding all over them. I assumed that must mean that the mother of mortal sins was excited for the race taking place today.

Kindness took off her apron for the first time since I got to Purgatory.

“Alright,” she said, hanging the apron on the hook by the kitchen door. “Let’s go then.”

The snow-white “mounts” that Pandora had mentioned beat with their hooves against the cobblestones of the road in front of the teahouse.

“There you are,” Charity exhaled with relief, handing the reins of one to Pandora. “What took you so long? The boys must be waiting for us at the maze already.”

She tried to give the reins of the next one to me, but I just stared with my mouth open at the magnificent creature.

“They have wings,” I gasped.

“Of course they do.” Kindness hurried to another winged horse, hiking up her skirts to jump into the saddle with the grace of a much younger being than her appearance suggested. “They’re pegasi, the winged horses.”

“It's practically impossible to get to the maze without them,” Pandora explained, getting into the saddle too.

Apparently, it wasn’t going to be just any plain old race in the open. No, Pandora wished to make it “a little more exciting for everyone” by sending her sons through an ancient maze located somewhere on the outskirts of this world.

“I thought distance didn’t matter in Purgatory,” I said.

“Distance doesn’t matter much, but some things on the ground between here and there do. Flying is safer.” Charity shoved the reins into my hand. “Let’s get moving, shall we? Because time flies here just as fast as it does everywhere else.”

“Have you ridden a horse before?” Kindness asked quietly, leaning down from her saddle.

“I have. I live in a small town surrounded by farms with lots of horses. But I never rode one with wings.”

I wasn’t the strongest rider, but I felt confident in the saddle. Normally.

My pegasus stretched his great white wings straight up, almost concealing the sun from view, and my apprehension spiked. I hesitated, gripping the reins in my sweaty hands.

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